Codman House Museum

Stepping back in time, imagine 1735. Chambers Russell, the founder of Lincoln, Massachusetts, built a stately Georgian-style home. This home, now known as the Codman House Museum, stands before you. It has witnessed centuries of history unfold. The Codman House Museum isn’t just a building. It’s a living testament to the Codman family and their legacy. John Codman, brother-in-law of Chambers Russell III, expanded the house in the 1790s. He transformed it into the elegant three-story Federal-style mansion you see today. Perhaps the renowned architect Charles Bulfinch even lent his expertise to the project. The Codman family’s influence is woven into the very fabric of this place. Inside the Codman House Museum, each room whispers stories of bygone eras. Portraits of family members gaze down from the walls. Their personal belongings, from delicate china to antique furniture, fill the rooms. You can almost feel their presence. Remarkably, the decorative schemes from different periods have been meticulously preserved. This includes the work of the celebrated interior designer Ogden Codman, Jr. A stroll through the Codman House Museum offers a glimpse into the lives of those who called this place home. The grounds of the Codman House Museum are equally captivating. An Italian garden, created around 1899, graces the landscape with its vibrant perennial beds, classical statuary, and a tranquil reflecting pool adorned with water lilies. A charming English cottage garden, added around 1930, complements the Italian garden’s formality. The estate’s 16 acres have been continuously farmed since 1735, a testament to the Codman family’s enduring connection to the land. As you explore the Codman House Museum, remember Dorothy Codman’s generous gift in 1969. Thanks to her, this historical treasure is preserved and shared with us through Historic New England.