Robert Louis Stevenson Cottage Museum
Operated by the Stevenson Society of America (est. 1915)
Learn about saving the Treasure Island author's home here.
Welcome
The Robert Louis Stevenson Cottage Museum in Saranac Lake, New York was the residence of the famous author of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Treasure Island, and many other enduring works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. The Scottish author lived here from October 1887 to April 1888. Carefully preserved with a large collection of Stevenson’s personal belongings and related material, the cottage museum is owned and operated by the Stevenson Society of America and has been open to the public since 1915, making it the world's first site dedicated to Stevenson.
Visit the home of the author of Treasure Island and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and discover the extraordinary life behind the stories.
The
Collection
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The cottage museum is one of the largest and most important collections preserving Stevenson’s legacy, housing over 50 artifacts that once belonged to him. Our collection spans Stevenson's life, from his childhood toys to the last pen he ever used. Objects like his trademark black velvet jacket, ice skates and invalid desk provide unique insight into the author. Filled with original furniture, the cottage layout remains faithful to Stevenson’s time here while showcasing a rich collection on his life, work, and legacy.
Help Save the Cottage
This treasure trove of literary history is in critical need of restoration. The effort to preserve the home depends largely on donations, which have brought tremendous progress in saving Stevenson's former home. Every contribution makes a difference. If you'd like to be a part of saving a piece of history, consider visiting, donating, becoming a member of the Stevenson Society of America, or contacting us for volunteer opportunities.
Leading American writer Phillip Lopate, whom the late Nobel Prize winner Louise Glück called “one of the most brilliant and original essayists working now,” came to see the residence of one of his literary heroes. Following his tour, Lopate joined the museum board, saying, “I’ve been to a lot of writers’ houses in my life, and this is one of the better ones. It has a tremendous amount of potential, and I hope it will begin to draw donors . . . to make it everything it could be.”
Watch a short video on Phillip Lopate's visit below:
