Built about 1800 as an inn in the Federal style, the estate was named Aspet by Saint-Gaudens in honor of his father's birthplace in France. Many improvements were made to the house, beautiful gardens were added to the landscape, and the thornless honey locust in front was planted in 1886. The family summered here from 1885-1897 and then lived here year-round from 1900 until the sculptor's death in 1907. Augusta Homer Saint-Gaudens continued to summer here until her death in 1926 and established the Saint-Gaudens Memorial as an historic foundation in 1919. Before 1885, the hay barn at left was converted into a studio that year and used until 1904, when it was replaced by the present Little Studio. The house gained a classical porch, dormers, and stepped gables, and in 1903 it was painted white. Downstairs, the two parlors, dining room, and kitchen exhibit original family furnishings, while a curving staircase leads to Saint-Gaudens's office on the landing; the second floor contains four bedrooms and two baths, and the third floor three bedrooms and a bath for servants.