Roseland Cottage

A Country Retreat

The Bowens built Roseland Cottage in Woodstock in 1846 as their summer home. It was a retreat for a growing family, close friends, and relatives. Lucy Bowen and her three daughters engaged in a variety of quiet activities and social pastimes. In a letter sent to a friend in June 1854, Lucy wrote “After breakfast, each day, sisters & myself read French for an hour & then in the afternoon, read History or something of that nature . . . The remainder of the day is spent in riding, eating, sleeping, sewing & thinking.” The painting depicts Roseland Cottage and the northern section of Woodstock Common from the perspective of a western hill. It was painted by James J. Sawyer prior to 1870.