Historic New England Cogswell’s Grant

Cogswell’s Grant, a working farm and historic house museum in Essex, Massachusetts, is a must-visit destination. The property was the summer home of Bertram K. Little, the preeminent American collector of decorative arts in the mid-20th century. Today, the farm is a national treasure and a must-see destination. Whether you’re looking to explore a piece of American history or discover some of the most enchanting decorative art in the country, you’ll be glad you made the effort to visit this beautiful site. It is located at 60 Spring St, Essex, MA 01929.

The house was built in the 1720s and features several collections of antique furnishings and art. The first part of the house was built in 1728. The Cogswell’s Grant was owned by John Cogswell, Sr. in 1635. In the late seventeenth century, it was part of the newly settled town of Ipswich. It was then passed to his son, Jonathan, who lived there until his death in 1717.

The Little family purchased Cogswell’s Grant in 1839 and used it for a summer retreat. As the years went by, the family mortgaged the property a few times, putting the house into ruins. In 1842, a man named Joseph Bray purchased the property at auction and sold it back to Boyd two years later. The little family continued to live at the farmhouse until Adam Boyd’s death. His wife had six children and a widow who lived there until her death in 1865. Learn more by clicking here.

The Littles’ first house was a summer home for Bertram K. and Nina Fletcher Little. Their father, Bertram, had died a year before they came to Essex, so their family was forced to leave the property. The family eventually built the house in the original 17th century barn and used it as a visitor facility. In the present, the building’s use is limited to a collection of antiques and decorative art, but they are still a major part of the historic site. More information about Gloucester can be found in our article about Ten Pound Island Lighthouse.

The Little family’s Cogswell’s Grant was not just a summer retreat for the family. The Littles kept a working farm on the property and sold eggs and milk until the early 1970s. The farm also had a greenhouse that preserved garden produce for the whole winter. Throughout the years, the house was used for growing vegetables and fruits. Its gardens were a major source of revenue for the Little family.

Located on 165 acres in Essex, the town of Essex’s cogswell’s farm was originally a farmhouse built in the early eighteenth century. The property was in poor condition, and the land was often very isolated. However, the Cogswell’s family left their house to their four sons. The grant was once a major farming village, a small seaport and a popular summer resort.