Codman House

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Codman House is a historic house set on a 16 acre estate on Codman Road, Lincoln, Massachusetts. Thanks to a gift by Dorothy Codman, it has been owned by Historic New England since 1969, and is open to the public June 1 through October 15, Wednesday through Sunday. An admission fee is charged.

The original house was Georgian, and was built in approximately 1735 by Chambers Russell I. It was enlarged in the 1790s to its current three-story Federal style by John Codman, brother-in-law of Chambers Russell III and executor of his estate. This was perhaps with some involvement of noted American architect Charles Bulfinch. The interior is extensively furnished with portraits, memorabilia, and art works collected in Europe, and in various rooms preserve the decorative schemes of every era, including those of noted interior designer Ogden Codman, Jr.

The former carriage house is also located on the property. Until the 1980s, it was original to its use as a stable and a rare early auto garage, and contained many artifacts of both. The historical association modernized the carriage house as a rental function hall in the '80s - a few original artifacts remain but most were discarded, and this structure is now rented for weddings, parties, and functions. It is also the home to NPR's popular program "Says You!".

The grounds have been farmed almost continuously since 1735, and now also include an Italianate garden, circa 1900, with perennial beds, statuary, and a reflecting pool filled with waterlilies, as well as an English cottage garden, circa 1930.