Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site
Blow-Me-Down Farm Management Plan Open House on July 7, 20114:00 - 7:00p.m.
Cornish, New Hampshire - The National Park Service (NPS) will hold an open house to hear public comments on a Site Management Plan for the Blow-Me-Down Farm in Cornish, NH. This plan is the much needed first step in the process of rehabilitating the buildings at the farm and creating a long-term strategy to protect and maintain the farm's cultural and natural resources. In addition, the plan will include conceptual plans for visitor use and interpretation, and identify the operational needs of the site.The open house will be held on July 7, 2011, at the Blow-Me-Down Farm Dance Hall, located at 364 New Hampshire Route 12A, Cornish, NH from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
The purpose of the meeting is to provide an opportunity for interested individuals and organizations to learn about the plan process and provide their thoughts, ideas, and concerns for the future management of Blow-Me-Down Farm. Posters and other information about Blow-Me-Down Farm will be available for the public to review and park planners and staff will be on hand to answer questions and to accept public comments.There will not be a formal presentation so interested parties may arrive at any time between 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. to learn about the plan process and share their thoughts.
Interested parties may also submit written comments and ideas during the 30-day public comment period.Comments may be submitted by mail at the address provided below or at the park's project website:https://parkplanning.nps.gov/saga.The comment period opens on July 1 and closes on July 30.
Blow-Me-Down Farm was the home of the Charles C. Beaman family.Beaman, a New York City lawyer and friend of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, attracted Saint-Gaudens to Cornish with the promise that the area held many "Lincoln-shaped men" for the sculptor to model.Saint-Gaudens and his wife, Augusta, moved to Cornish and rented the property that we today know as Aspet from Beaman before deciding to stay permanently.The presence of Saint-Gaudens attracted other artists, writers and musicians to Cornish to create what is now known as the Cornish Colony. The Blow-Me-Down Farm was a hub of the Cornish Colony's social activities.
Blow-Me-Down Farm was acquired by the Saint-Gaudens Memorial in 1998 through the generous donation of acquisition funds by Eric Lagercrantz on behalf of his late wife Mary Beaman Lagercrantz.Mrs. Lagercrantz was Charles Beaman's granddaughter.The Saint-Gaudens Memorial donated the farm to the National Park Service in 2010.The 42.6-acre property includes nine historic structures, agricultural fields and more than ¼-mile frontage along the Connecticut River.
Additional information about the Blow-Me-Down Farm Development Concept Planisavailable on the park's project website:https://parkplanning.nps.gov/saga. Comments submitted by mail should be addressed to Superintendent Rick Kendall, Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site, 139 Saint Gaudens Road, Cornish, NH 03745.For more information, please contact the park at 603/675-2175.
