Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site : Home of a Gilded Age Icon. Teaching with Historic Places / James A. Percoco.

Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848-1907) was a renowned 19th-century U.S. sculptor whose artistic training and talent ensured his place in Gilded Age society. In 1885, he was drawn to Cornish, New Hampshire, to find a place where he could model his latest commission, a statue of Abraham Lincoln. He and his wife established a summer home and studio in an old rundown tavern, and it was here that he conceived a host of projects. He chose to be buried at the Cornish site. This lesson is based on the National Register of Historic Places registration file, "Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site" and other sources. The lesson plan focuses on patron-commissioned bas-reliefs, the enigmatic Adams Memorial, and the gold coins created by the artist. It can be used to teach units on the Gilded Age or the role of art and artists in society. The lesson is divided into six teaching activities sections: "Setting the Stage: Historical Context"; "Locating the Site: Maps" (Cornish, New Hampshire and Surrounding Region; Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site); "Determining the Facts: Readings" (Who Was Augustus Saint-Gaudens?; Arrival at Cornish; Cornish Colony; Henry Adams' Reflection on the Adams Memorial; Letter to the President); "Visual Evidence: Images" (Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site; Aspet, Past and Present; Adams Memorial; Samuel G. Ward; Coin Models); "Putting It All Together: Activities" (Artist and Client; Coins, Coins, Coins; Meet the Cornish Colony; Exploring the Artist's World; Local Wonders); and "Supplementary Resources." (BT)

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