LIVING AND WORKING IN THE MERRILL APARTMENT

DAVID JACKSON APARTMENT

The Jackson Apartment was the bedroom and study area for James Merrill’s partner, David Jackson. It is located directly across the hall from Merrill’s apartment on the third floor. The apartment was renovated in 2007 and provides a charming living space for the writer-in-residence with a living-dining area, a full galley kitchen, bedroom, and study.

The Merrill House Committee is able to offer living space in the fully-furnished Jackson Apartment rent-free to the Merrill fellow for the period of the residency.

• All utilities (heat, water, electricity)

• High-speed internet

• Monthly housekeeping

• Memberships to the Stonington Community Center, Stonington Library, and the local YMCA

• Bed and bathroom linens

• Basic kitchen appliances, cookware, dishes, silverware, and sundry utensils

• TV, DVD player

• Washer/Dryer in the basement of the building

Please note the following limitations:

• The apartment is accessible by stairway only

• There is no off-street parking. Cars may be parked on the street or in a nearby public parking lot

• Smoking is not permitted

• Pets are not permitted

• Non-resident friends or family may not use the apartment when the Writer-in-Residence is not there

• In light of the historical and cultural value of the apartments and their contents, it is difficult to accommodate residents with children

LIVING IN THE MERRILL APARTMENT

The Merrill Apartment is on the third and fourth floors. James Merrill’s primary sleeping and living areas are on the third floor. The fourth floor consists of a large living room/studio opening onto a deck that overlooks the village, harbor, and ocean.

The Merrill Apartment, with its gorgeous and eccentric décor, is very much as it was during Merrill’s life.

The extensive collections of furniture, books, and music are also Merrill's own.

The apartment’s rooms and objects figure throughout Merrill’s oeuvre; the famous Ouija board sessions were conducted in this dining room. Writers-in-residence have daily access to the Merrill Apartment to work, read, and gain inspiration.

While it is understood that during the period of the residency the writer-in-residence has full access to the Merrill Apartment, on occasion the Merrill House Committee may need to show the apartment to individuals or small groups with interest related to James Merrill or may need to perform maintenance or curatorial tasks. 

We will endeavor to give adequate notice of our intended use. It should be understood that the fellows’ daily access to the Merrill Apartment is shared access.

LIVING IN STONINGTON

Stonington Borough lies halfway between Boston and New York.
It has several restaurants, coffee houses, a library, a post office, and shops. A large farmers’ market runs year-round. Nevertheless, a car is necessary for larger-scale grocery shopping, pharmacy, or access to nearby train stations in Mystic, New London, and Westerly. Public transportation to and from Stonington is limited and costly.