This historic structure report (HSR) was written preparatory to the rehabilitation of Building 32 by the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area (NRA) to accommodate several of the park's functions. Rehabilitation work was completed in June 1996. As a result, the current (2004) interior appearance of the structure differs greatly from that described in this report. A more detailed account of the work performed can be found in the appendix of this report. It was determined that this historic structure report would be a Level- B report, which required only secondary- source research and nondestructive investigation of Building 32. The research tasks included the review of all existing reports and documents located at the Northeast Cultural Resources Center, at the Boston Support Office, and in the park archives. All historical documents, photographs, and maps available in the park archives were also examined.

This report will focus on Aspet, the home of Augustus Saint- Gaudens, and on his studio, known as the Little Studio. The scope of this project as stated in its Project Agreement is limited to providing an update to four previously compiled historic structure reports for the main house (Aspet) and the Little Studio. The current project had two primary purposes. The first was to update the buildings' developmental and architectural history - i.e., to document changes to Aspet and the Little Studio from 1977 to the present, according to the Cultural Resource Management Guideline (NPS- 28),1 while organizing the data in a chronology format. This report includes a brief review of the architectural development of the structures prior to 1977, as provided in the previous reports. It will not restate physical descriptions as found in those reports. However, if a feature has been added, changed, or removed, such changes were documented. The second primary component of this report was the determination and evaluation of the structures' character- defining features (CDFs). Identifying the CDFs of each building will help guide the park's decisions when future projects that may impact the architectural appearance and integrity of Aspet and the Little Studio are planned and implemented.