From the Past to the Present
The Architechture: Joy Farm, a registered National Historical Landmark, was the summer home of American Poet E.E. Cummings (1894-1692) from 1898 until his death (at Joy Farm) in 1962. After passing through at least one other family, the property was eventually purchased by the Mattisons in 1975. Though a little worn and weather-beaten, this 200 year old treasure has kept, like many New Hampshire natives, its quintessential New England charm.
It is estimated by people far wiser than yours truly that the original house was built in the late 1700s. When the Cummings bought it, they expanded portions of the house, a remodeling that demonstrated both a keen eye for the aesthetic and an utter lack of concern for structural integrity. In more recent times, it has undergone various bouts of rehabilitation by its supremely capable current owners.
The house in Cummings' day The house today
Next to the house stands a barn, approximately the same age as the original house (late 1700's.) A rear shed (no longer standing) was once used by Cummings as an art studio. The shed succumbed to the elements in the mid 1990s after putting up an admirable fight, but several palletes were salvaged from the rubble at that time, as was Cummings' easel. These items are now artistically arranged in the house and barn.
A small shingled gazebo at the edge of the field was built by Reverend Cummings as a quiet retreat far from his screaming children where he could pen his sermons in peace. The harsh New Hampshire winters have unfortunately not been kind to this small house of religious opining and while all retreat residents may wander up to it, it is not open for exploration at this time.
Resident Members and Writers-in-Residence are, however, welcome to tour the barn at their leisure, bearing in mind they assume all risk of injury and are admonished to be careful and use common sense. Up the stairs to the left and then up the small staircase to your right you will see the barn's last addition: a writing studio built by the painting poet himself. This room is available for residents to use and affords one more quiet place to write or ruminate, or simply revel in literary history.
The Area: Joy Farm is nestled on 300 acres of forest, beaver ponds, rivers and streams in the middle of the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Numerous hiking trails snake through the property, offering writers many opportunities to wander the grounds.
The Accommodations: In 1987, the Mattisons tore down an already crumbling kitchen wing and built an entirely new house beside the standing original. This addition offers modern comforts such as heat, plumbing, ample electrical outlets and wi-fi while the original house basks in minimally adulterated antique charm, which is a euphemistic way of saying the original house is not winterized and lacks internet. However, a woodstove and a center fireplace in the original house provide an abundance of warmth and atmosphere during cool autumn evenings. And shelves of vintage books and other treasures of literary and historical importance provide tactile opportunities to plumb the depths of arcane information such that wikipedia is rightly jealous.
The entire original house as well as the downstairs of the new addition are open to both Retreat Members and Writers-in-Residence during the day for gathering, writing, etc. All Writers-in-Residence stay upstairs in the New House, in their own private bedrooms.
Retreat Members are lodged in a second house a short walk away. Steep Acres was built in 1901 as a summer retreat for a Unitarian Minister friend of the Cummings family. It has been used continuously as a summer and seasonal dwelling since it was built. Like the original portion of Joy Farm, Steep Acres, brims with rustic charm but offers comfortable sleeping space as well as large common areas where all Retreat Members are welcome to hang out and make use of during their idle time. While the facilities at Steep Acres are more limited, Retreat Members, who stay at Steep Acres, are welcome to use the full bathroom (with tub and shower) next door at Joy Farm.
More about lodging and accomodations can be found by clicking
The view of Mt Chocorua from the Upper Loop Trail
Joy Farm is located in Silver Lake New Hampshire, a small village of Madison. It is a short drive down the hill to Silver Lake, which offers several swimming beaches and a boat launch. The historic depot in the center of town is the current village post office, if you need to mail anything home during your time with us. Behind the post office is a small museum that invites visitors to learn about the history of Silver Lake and the train service that used to bring visitors to this scenic New Hampshire vacation spot.
Because of its historical importance and secluded setting, smoking is strictly prohibited anywhere on the grounds of the Writer’s Retreat.