Finest collection of folk art ~ Coggswell's Grant and other Essex, MA Things to Do Tips

Cogswell's Grant in ESSEX, Mass. is a wonderful 1730 house and farm which is cared for by the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities. ( now Historic New England) The house has such a wonderful warm feeling to it. One of its owners was a collector of folk art... and to see the collection in this setting is very special. The entire property and collection was donated to SPNEA. Don't miss the tour. It's worth every minute and dollar. Admission $6. From RTE.22 in Essex, you turn onto Spring St. and proceed to the end. You will be on the farm.
Bertram and Nina Fletcher Little were the collectors of the American Folk Art. Nina started long before folk art was in vogue. She produced numerous articles and published several books during her productive years. They lived in the home as a vacation home and donated the property in its entirety...collections and all.... to Historic New England in their will. This is a premier collection if you are into folk art.
Stop in one of the barns to enjoy the knowledgeable volunteers who work at the gift shop which has some very nice items for sale.

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You could do a lot of searching, poking, and treasure hunting in Essex. The town is devoted to antique shops with collectibles as well as fine antiques. Sometimes there is a pearl amongst the debris in such colorful places as this shop along the main road... known as the White Elephant

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Cogswell's Grant is an entire farm with barns and livestock....expansive fields...all preserved by Historic New England, thanks to the Littles who bequeathed it to the society in its entirety. The caretakers are a couple who worked for the Littles and have stayed on to tend the horses and farm yard. Historic New ENgland handles the tours and staffs the gift shop which is housed in one of the barns.

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Phone: 978-768-3632
Address: 60 Spring Street, Essex

There are some very fine antique shops... as well as the lesser type you have to dig through to find a "treasure".
The folks in the 2nd pic have a great assortment of furniture...mostly late victorian. Some of it refinished...some with original finish.
The antique shops line the main road through Essex. You'll find plenty to choose from.

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Just outside town there is a small business that deals in antiques and hand made reproduction furniture. Very good quality.

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