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Roseland Cottage: A Victorian Gem in Pink

Discover Victorian elegance at Roseland Cottage, a perfectly preserved Gothic Revival summer home with vibrant interiors and historic gardens.

4.7

Roseland Cottage, also known as the Henry C. Bowen House, is a well-preserved example of Gothic Revival architecture. Built in 1846 as a summer home, it's famous for its bright pink exterior and elaborate Victorian interiors, offering a glimpse into 19th-century life.

A brief summary to Roseland Cottage

  • Thursday 11 am-4 pm
  • Friday 11 am-4 pm
  • Saturday 11 am-4 pm
  • Sunday 11 am-4 pm

Local tips

  • Purchase tickets in advance, especially during peak season, as tours often sell out.
  • Explore the gardens and grounds, which are open from dawn to dusk, and bring a picnic to enjoy.
  • Check the Historic New England website for seasonal events, such as the Roseland Cottage Fine Arts and Crafts Festival.
  • Note that the tour involves standing, walking, and stairs; however, a virtual tour and folding chairs are available for those with limited mobility.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    Roseland Cottage is located at 556 CT-169, Woodstock, CT 06281. From I-395, take Exit 47 and follow Route 44 west for one mile, then Route 171 west for three miles which merges onto Route 169 north. Continue 1.5 miles, and Roseland Cottage will be on the left. From I-84, take Exit 73, turn onto Route 190 east, then right onto Route 171 east for two miles, left onto Route 197 east for eight miles, and finally right onto Route 169 south. Travel three miles; Roseland Cottage is on the right. Ample free parking is available on the grounds; follow the signs to the parking area behind the barn.

  • Walking

    From the Woodstock Hill Common, Roseland Cottage is a short walk. Head south on Route 169; the cottage will be on your right. The walk is less than half a mile and should take approximately 5-10 minutes. No costs are associated with walking.

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Discover more about Roseland Cottage

Step back in time at Roseland Cottage, a National Historic Landmark in Woodstock, Connecticut. This 1846 Gothic Revival summer home, with its distinctive pink exterior, was built for Henry Chandler Bowen and his family. Bowen, a successful businessman and abolitionist, used Roseland Cottage as a place to entertain friends, family, and political connections, including four U.S. Presidents. The cottage's interior boasts elaborate wall coverings, heavily patterned carpets, and stained glass, much of which has been preserved from the Victorian era. Explore the original boxwood-edged parterre gardens, planted in the 1850s, and visit the icehouse, aviary, carriage barn, and the nation's oldest surviving indoor bowling alley. Roseland Cottage offers guided tours, providing insights into the lifestyle and tastes of a prosperous Victorian family. The grounds are open to the public from dawn to dusk. Roseland Cottage provides a unique glimpse into the past, showcasing the architecture, interior design, and social life of the Victorian era. It's a testament to the vision of Andrew Jackson Downing, whose principles of practicality and the picturesque are reflected in the house and its surrounding landscape.

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