Roseland Cottage - New England My Happy Place Photo of the Day

Why You Should Tour the Spectacular Roseland Cottage in Woodstock, Conn.

Roseland Cottage, Woodstock, Conn.

by Eric Hurwitz. Page updated on 2/23/2022

Share this New England travel article with your friends...


The "Quiet Corner" of Connecticut has been our special, secret, nearby New England travel getaway for many years. The rolling hills and fields, old farms, classic New England village greens, antique stores, produce stands, gentle people and the historic, so-quiet-you-could-hear-a-pin-drop downtown districts always brings us to a place that you don't see too much of anymore in our strip mall, gentrified world. There's clearly a lack of commercial and industrial development to help keep this scenic region of Connecticut true to its original form. Known as the "last green valley," this 1,000 square mile area of Connecticut has been designated by Congress as a National Heritage Corridor for its natural splendor.

So, it's no surprise that one of the main attractions in the Quiet Corner is not an amusement park, water slide, or an oulet stores shopping center but, instead, the Roseland Cottage in Woodstock. This Gothic Revival home -- built in 1846 and painted in coral pink with black trim -- was once a summer cottage to wealthy New York City businessman Henry Bowen. He and his family spent time here as a relaxing getaway as well as a place to entertain friends and politicians, including former United States presidents Benjamin Harrison, Rutherford B. Hayes and Ulysses S. Grant!

The Roseland Cottage might sound a little like one of the mansions in Newport, R.I., but this grand home that is now a touring museum has its own look and a rural setting that obviously differs greatly from the coastal Newport scene.

Located across from the Woodstock village green, the Roseland Cottage is a place that, I'm sure, many would dream of as being "home" with its steep gables and stained glass, boxwood parterre garden, a bowling alley, garden house, aviary, carriage barn, ice house, various outbuildings and some beautiful landscaping.

The Roseland Cottage was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, and declared a National Historic Landmark in 1992. It is indeed a beautifully maintained home worth visiting as part of your travels to the Quiet Corner.

The Roseland Cottage is open from June 1-Oct. 15. For information on admission and hours of operation, we suggest logging onto the Historic New England web site. 

If you enjoyed this article, please share through any of the social media buttons below -- thanks!

Get to know the real New England through diners and destinations...

Stay connected with VisitingNewEngland at  Facebook  Twitter  Pinterest  Google+

FREE SUBSCRIPTION

Sign up for our free VisitingNewEngland.com E-NEW ENGLAND TRAVEL NEWSLETTER
Featuring our latest New England travel insider's news updates and stories, discounts and coupons!