Love architecture, history, fantastic stories, great landscapes, art, and interior design? Then join Historic New England on June 3 for our region-wide Open House and explore distinctly different historic sites – for free.

From seventeenth-century “stone-enders,” to a pink Gothic Revival cottage, coastal farms, and a mid-century Bauhaus masterpiece, there is so much to explore. Hear about the people who lived and worked at the sites and enjoy the open spaces, beautiful gardens, and farm fields.

Join us in New Ipswich, NH for a look inside the Barrett House!

Known as Forest Hall, Barrett House was built c. 1800 by Charles Barrett Sr. for his son Charles Jr. and daughter-in-law Martha Minot on the occasion of their marriage. Its grand scale was encouraged by Martha’s father, who promised to furnish the house as lavishly as Barrett Sr. could build it. It features family furnishings, French scenic wallpaper, and elegant period finishes.

The mansion sits on more than seventy acres that include a Gothic Revival summer house that crowns the hillside overlooking the expansive grounds. Learn about the multiple generations that resided at Barrett House, their lifestyles, and the impressive country estate that represents a vanished way of life from a time when New Ipswich was an active mill town.

From Maine to Rhode Island, plan your visit today to explore our region’s shared history.