The American Country House Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the understanding and preservation of country houses across America. No matter the size or style, we believe that these buildings play an important role in understanding the history of America and enriching our cultural landscape.

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What is a "country house"?  In Europe the term 'country house' is often associated with the grand estates of the aristocracy and gentry.  In the United States our definition is slightly broader to cover our diverse history and rich architectural landscape.  At the American Country House Foundation we define a country house as a rural or suburban residential property that was or is used as the primary or secondary residence for an individual associated with a historic urban center. This interpretation rightly covers a broad range of properties ranging from the opulent Biltmore near Asheville NC to the more contemporary sleek Philip Johnson's Glass House near New Canaan Ct. 

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One of our main programs is the Country House Conference, a yearly conference hosted by a different historic country sites that highlight a variety of themes and preservation issues.  The conference is open to all and is a full day of outstanding programs.   

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