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Historic Home By Carleton College; Perfect for Visiting Families & Faculty

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Front entry to screened porch
Nourse Cottage, built in 1881
Screened-in porch with wicker furniture
Interior
Living room

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6213.7 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Outdoor space
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Northfield, MN
  • Carleton College
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Northfield Arts Guild
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • St. Olaf College
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Minneapolis, MN (MSP-Minneapolis - St. Paul Intl.)
    ‪46 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Historic Home By Carleton College; Perfect for Visiting Families & Faculty

Rich in local history, this brightly-renovated 3-bedroom/2-bath gem sits on the edge of Carleton College campus. Built in 1881 and formerly the home of original Carleton benefactors Allen and Mary Nourse, the Cottage has all the comforts of a weekend getaway with the ideal location for activities at Carleton Collage, St. Olaf Collage or the vibrant Northfield community.

Sip your morning coffee or your evening cocktail on the lovely screened-in front porch. Inside, the airy living room offers reading nooks, a cozy electric fireplace and a large smart television. The sunny breakfast table is perfect for the mornings or spreading out your laptop. The living room opens to a sophisticated dining area and around the corner to a fully-equipped kitchen with full-sized refrigerator, stove and dishwasher. There are plenty of dishes, glasses and cooking equipment to whip up a quick breakfast or serve a celebratory dinner.

The first floor also offers a bright bedroom with a queen bed, large closet and an adjoining recently renovated full bath with shower.

Upstairs are two additional bedrooms, each with a double bed, as well as a second bath with shower and tub. All of the bedrooms are generously sized; the home comfortably sleep 6 people.

Original hardwood floors, crown moulding and large windows flow throughout the house making it bright and welcoming all year round.

Downstairs offers a finished basement with laundry facilities and a groovy ‘70s game table. Out back, bright red Adirondack chairs invite you to sit under the massive elm tree amongst the flowers and herbs. One reserved parking space is in the back; additional street parking is available in front. Please note that we have an exterior camera on the front porch to monitor the exterior of our home for security purposes.

Filled with original artwork and thoughtful touches, this peaceful home is one block from Carleton’s Skinner Chapel and the Weitz Center, making it an ideal location for graduation, parents’ weekend, campus performances and visiting educators. St. Olaf’s beautiful campus is 1 mile drive away.

The vibrant Northfield downtown with all of its cafes, restaurants and shops is a 5 minute walk. The entrance to Carleton’s stunning 880-acre Cowling Arboretum is four blocks down the street. You could easily go days staying at Nourse Cottage just walking or biking to your destinations without ever needing your car.

Property manager

Kristy and Adam Battani
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Fireplace

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
Gatherings of more than 6 must be pre-approved.
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Any gatherings of more than 10 people require advance approval.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: Gatherings of more than 6 must be pre-approved.
Long-term renters welcome
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock

About the area

Northfield

Northfield is home to this cottage. Northfield Arts Guild and Northfield Historical Society are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Twin Oaks Driving Range and Skoglund Athletic Center. Rice County Fair Grounds and Faribault Family Aquatic Center are also worth visiting.
Map
Northfield, MN

What's nearby

  • Carleton College - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Northfield Arts Guild - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Northfield Historical Society - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • St. Olaf College - 3 min drive - 2.1 km
  • Twin Oaks Driving Range - 3 min drive - 2.6 km

Getting around

  • Minneapolis, MN (MSP-Minneapolis - St. Paul Intl.) - 46 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Culver's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪The Cage - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Fielders Choice Tap & Table - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Historic Home By Carleton College; Perfect for Visiting Families & Faculty pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Historic Home By Carleton College; Perfect for Visiting Families & Faculty?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Historic Home By Carleton College; Perfect for Visiting Families & Faculty?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Historic Home By Carleton College; Perfect for Visiting Families & Faculty located?

Situated in Northfield, this cottage is within a 10-minute walk of Carleton College, Northfield Arts Guild and Northfield Historical Society. St. Olaf College and Twin Oaks Driving Range are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 13 out of 14 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 14 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 14 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 14 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 14 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

8/10 Good

Cindy J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy

Charming

Pretty good. Very hard to find things in the kitchen. NO toaster and no hand lotion. Two very important things. All in all, lovely property. and just the right amount of quirky with creaking floors.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Julie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Carleton Oasis

This is our favorite place to stay visiting Carleton College! Its charm, on a quaint street, just blocks from campus is unparalleled. The owners choice in furnishings and attention to detail make it feel like home away from home.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rob and Julie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Weekend Visiting Our Carl

Clean cozy house, great location.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Melissa M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Beth F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Carleton Cottage

Nourse Cottage is quaint! The location is perfect for Carleton activities. The house was very clean and we had everything we needed!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kris O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect cozy getaway

A perfect respite with good friends. The house had everything we needed and more with great cozy touches adding to our experience. Thank you so much
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kristin K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect for our visit to Northfield

The house is beautifully updated and so comfortable. It is fully stocked with everything you need and the location is perfect. We loved hearing the bells chime from Carleton's campus.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location, cozy house

We enjoyed every minute. From the moment we walked in the door, we felt at home. It is a cozy, well-appointed, historical home nestled in the quiet neighborhood right on the border of Carleton College. The kitchen is small but well equipped and I did a lot of cooking/baking for our son while there. The beds were a bit tough for our tall family. Both queen beds were the old iron frame beds that have the frame at the feet as well. My hubby and I ended up sleeping separately so we had enough space. We gave my other son who is 6'3 the bed that didn't have footboard so he could fit. I tend to appreciate homes that don't have the footboards for more universal fit for taller guests, but we made it work, and from the pictures we knew what we were getting ourselves into. The mattresses themselves were comfortable, and the bedding (sheets, blankets, extra layers) were soft and cozy. They literally thought of everything - including blackout shades - thank you!! We also enjoyed reading up on the history of the house and they provided plenty of options for local attractions and restaurants. It was a great stay and we hope to be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

JOHN H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous Home, Fantastic Hosts, Perfect Location

We just stayed at Kristy and Adam's home for the second time and hope to do so again soon! Kristy is a wonderful and responsive host. The home is clean and so comfortable, with thoughtful details and amenities provided throughout. We loved the location, which is walking distance to Carleton College and the Arborateum, which is perfect for an early-morning stroll. Thank you, Kristy and Adam, for making our stay in Northfield so special!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Eric L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely cottage

The cottage was lovely. It was very clean and well-appointed with everything needed. The neighborhood was beautiful as well. The screened-in porch was very nice for the evenings. The location is perfect with a very short walk to Northfield’s restaurants and shops.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rob and Julie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect cottage!

Everything was perfect! Clean, well-stocked and well-located. We loved the welcome cookies and flowers. Screened porch was delightful. Looking forward to our next stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Patricia K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing!!

A beautiful home in Northfield! Perfect location to visit Carleton College. A very comfortable stay with family! My family loved the home and we can’t wait to book it again!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robynne S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Girls weekend

Had a great time exploring the city and watching the river. Very comfy beds!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Delightful!

We planned a very brief stay to visit our Carleton student and we’re delighted by the charm, location, and comforts this cottage provided. We will most definitely return!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

About the host

Hosted by Kristy and Adam Battani

Host profile image
Our daughter attended Carleton College and we fell in love with Northfield! We bought this house so we could visit her (and escape the Texas heat), but would love to be able to share it with other visitors.

Why they chose this property

This is a storybook neighborhood. Nestled between beautifully restored historic homes and Carleton's campus, the tree-lined streets make for lovely walks to the Cowling Arboretum or down to Division Street for Northfield's cafes, restaurants and stores.

What makes this property unique

Built in 1881 for Allen and Mary Nourse, this house was originally situated near the site of current day Nourse Hall on Carleton's campus. The Nourses donated their farmland to the college and the house was later moved to its current location. The Cottage has been recently updated and refurbished; its ideal location, history and charm make for a relaxing visit.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests