Mastlands has a rich history which dates back to the era of King George the Third. He decreed the land within his property. Soon he had surveyors brought in for the Royal Navy of England to select and harvest the great fir trees which towered over the land. They built a small house here and named it "Mast Camp".

In 1827 the Chase family was granted the land. They built the barn, most of which stands to this day they lived in it until the completion of the main home - Mastlands - in 1858. The home was painted yellow in the tradition of the Chase Family homes across the nation.

In 1892 the Nichols Family - relatives of Saint Gaudens - purchased the home for use as a summer retreat. In the early 1900s they imported the English Music Room from a manor house in Europe and began entertaining many of the nation's prominent people. In 1904 Saint Gaudens officially dedicated the property "Mastlands" with an original plaque.

Rose Standish Nichols - the first female landscape designer - summered here with the rest of the Nichols family. She created our Sunken Garden which stands adjacent to the house. It was modeled after the gardens at Hampton Court Palace.