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Learn, create, and explore at the Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park's annual fall festival on Saturday, September 12, 2026.
This special event is built around the idea that everyone is an artist. Activities include sculpture demonstrations, family art activities, ranger-guided tours, and music.
Bronze Pouring
12pm & 2pm Glenn Campbell returns to the park for this fan-favorite demonstration.
Making a Life Mask
12:30pm 2026 sculptor-in-resident Heidi Mortensen demonstrates the messy process of creating a plaster life mask on a park ranger.
Meltable Models
11am - 3pm Sculptor Ernest Montenegro makes wax models of his sculptures to demonstrate the lost-wax bronze casting process.
NPS/M. Zingler
Ongoing Activities
Park staff, independent artists, and area arts organizations offer the following activities between 11am and 3pm. All materials are provided and no experience is necessary.
Plein Air Drop-In Local artist Lissa Malloy, Allison Zito, and Amy Fortier each invite you to create your own art inspired by the park's landscape.
Musical Instrument Petting Zoo Try out a variety of musical instuments with equipment and encouragement from the Upper Valley Music Center.
Sketching in Clay Have fun with clay as artist Candice Russell demonstrates her sculpting process.
NPS/M. Zingler
Cyanotype for Conservation Make blue and white prints using a photographic process called cyanotype with artist and author Madge Evers. Participants can work with plant material or a prepared negative of a migratory fish (American Shad), which are native to the Connecticut River watershed, to make and take home one cyanotype print. While making art, participants can learn about rivers and conservation from the Connecticut River Conservancy.
HOP into the Arts Learn about the Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth College while participating in art activities supplied by rePlay Arts, a creative reuse shop in White River Junction.
Make-and-Take A Whisk Broom Create your own traditional-style whisk broom to take home while learning a little about the craftsmanship and traditions that are part of the Enfield Shaker Museum story.
NPS/M. Zingler
Art from Nature Use pressed flowers and watercolors to create your own masterpiece while celebrating the important role of pollinators with park staff.
Marking the Moment Decorate a bookmark with inspirational quotes, stamps, and other materials with park volunteer Toni Hoover.
Out of Many, One Create a small portrait of yourself or an important person in your life to be part of a collective artwork celebrating our nation's first motto, "E pluribus unum" which means, “Out of many, one.”
Photography Meet-Up Capture the beauty of the park, learn photography techniques, and print digital photos with members of the Photography Club at the Claremont Maker's Space.
My Park Story How does Saint-Gaudens NHP and the National Park Service inspire you? Pause, reflect, and share your story with the Saint-Gaudens Memorial.
Unveiling of the "Standing Lincoln" in Cornish, NH (2016)
NPS
Celebration
Traditional Dance & Fiddle Tunes
11am - 2pm The Vermont Fiddle Orchestra plays orchestral arrangements of traditional fiddle music as part of their mission to preserve the musical heritage of the region's mixed ancestral roots.
Art Unveiling and Junior Ranger Ceremony
2:30pm The words "E pluribus unum" are emblazened on the chair behind Augustus Saint-Gaudens' "The Standing Lincoln" sculpture. These words translate to "out of many, one" and are a traditional motto of the United States. In honor of the country's 250th birthday and the 10th anniversary of the installation of the "Standing Lincoln" at the park, the National Park Service invited people from around the region to participate in a collective work of art inspired by those words. The work will be unveiled during this event and will be followed by a ceremony to swear in all youth who participated in activities as Junior Rangers.
What to Know Before Attending
Standard entry fees for visiting the park apply, but all entry fees for the first 200 adults will generously be paid by the park's nonprofit partner, the Saint-Gaudens Memorial. Kids 15 and under are always free. America the Beautiful Passes are available including free options for U.S. military veterans, the family of fourth graders, and U.S. residents with a permanent physical disability.
Food service is not available at the park, but picnicking is welcome. Please carry out trash when possible and avoid setting up large picnics in highly trafficed areas.
Most activities and events take place in the area near the visitor center and "Standing Lincoln". Staff and signage will be available to direct you to this space from the overflow parking lot. A limited amount of accessible parking spots are available near the visitor center. A shuttle will be available to bring visitors with mobility concerns between the event and the overflow parking lot.
This event is rain or shine and will only be canceled for dangerous conditions.
