Cogswell's Grant, Massachusetts, United States

5hillretiree 5:00 PM Nov 11, 2016

Excellent American folk art collection
If you have any interest in American folk art, you will love Cogswell's Grant. It was the summer home of a couple of our country's greatest folk art collectors, and it is intact, just as they left it. I had read that visits were by guided tour only (true), given on the hour sharp, and was afraid I'd miss it when I arrived late. No problem--I was the only visitor and got my own guided tour. The guide was terrific--informative, well paced, straightforward answers to all questions, not at all pedantic or superior, just really helpful. She did a great job too of pointing out highlights that I might have missed. There's so much here and such variety--decoys, pottery, textiles, woodwork, furniture, portraits, seascapes, etc--that it's helpful to have someone who can get you focused. There are more wonderful things here than you;d find in a museum 5 times the size. Even the house--and its persimmon painted exterior--is a delight. Fantastic!.

5madcatterdesigns 5:00 PM Aug 21, 2016

LOVE PRIMATIVES, FOLK ART AND HISTORY?? Cogwell's Grant is AMAZING!!
You can easily read all the history of this amazing house with the other reviews or on line but you need to see this wonderful home for yourself! A little off the beaten path in Essex, it's the perfect ending for a beautiful day especially if you went on the Essex River boat cruise earlier, (you'll love it!) it's 5 minutes from there. I am fascinated by shore bird decoys, working decoys, primitives and Folk Art and this place made me stutter and stammer with respect and joy for this wonderful collection! The admission is $10.00 a person (joining HISTORIC New England is a big perk for this and their other historic homes) and there is NO AIR CONDITIONING. I was melting from that and seeing the room full of decoys I could have spent all day in so for me it was worth it. Our tour guide was Jean took tremendous pride in everything she showed us and was so knowledgeable! She took great patience with all the questions I asked and maintained great poise and a straight face as I reacted room by room with items that I just loved and appreciated. My family pretty much disowned me for my enthusiasm! This is a wonderful place to bring your kids so they can understand how people appreciated "the little things" that were hand made with love and not mass produced. Families ate together, worked the fields, baked together, sat by the fireplaces and there were no video games, cell phones, TV or Poke'mon! I especially enjoyed all the primitive family paintings where no one smiled, and there were some bold fashion statements! Every room is loving maintained, not a speck of dust. It was truly an honor to be allowed to be there and I will definitely be back, please put this on your bucket list for next year if you can't make it this year and I promise you that you will be floored by this collection!