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.
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Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available
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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
Frequently asked questions
Is Historic Home By Carleton College; Perfect for Visiting Families & Faculty pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Historic Home By Carleton College; Perfect for Visiting Families & Faculty?
As of 26 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Historic Home By Carleton College; Perfect for Visiting Families & Faculty on 25 May 2026 start from AU$511, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Historic Home By Carleton College; Perfect for Visiting Families & Faculty?
On-site parking is available at the 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. First U.S. Post Office Mural and The Labyrinth are also within 10 minutes.
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We loved our stay at Nourse Cottage; the location, amenities and thoughtful touches made it a 10/10!
Anne H.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jenny G.
30 Dec 2025
This was such a great house for our girls weekend! It was very clean and inviting. It had all the amenities we needed and was very charming! The location was perfect and within walking distance to a lot of shops and restaurants. We also enjoyed walking the path at Carleton College.
Nourse House is a treasure, and Kristi was accommodating and wonderful at communicating. The house is clean, well stocked, and comfortable. Highly recommend!
We stayed here during family weekend at Carleton and can’t imagine a better spot! We feel so lucky we got to stay here. Great communication. Comfy beds. Perfect location. Loved the screened in porch. Walking distance to campus, town and the arboretum. We are very much hoping to get to stay here again!
Suzanne G.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Ann
22 Sept 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Very cute and clean home. I love that there was a binder about the house and things to do around the area. There were labels on the door to let you know where things are, which was very helpful.
We spent 3 days in this fabulous little house during Carleton's reunion weekend, and it could not have been more perfect for my little family and as a gathering spot for friends practically on campus. I'd love to stay here during every reunion!
Jessica G.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 6 July 2025
So glad your family enjoyed the weekend. We would love to have you every reunion. And then one day you might be visiting for parents weekend!
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.
We really enjoyed our stay for St Olaf Graduation for immediate and extended family. The house was well stocked and allowed for family dinners and cake and champagne after commencement. It worked out so well for our family and graduate’s friends to stop by.
Carey J.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 6 July 2025
It is always so nice to be part of graduation! Thank you for letting us play a small part in your family celebration.
Had a great time exploring the city and watching the river. Very comfy beds!
Robynne S.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 26 June 2024
We are so glad we were able to be a part of your girls' weekend in Northfield! Thank you for being such considerate guests. We look forward to hosting you again.
Nourse Cottage is a wonderful spot to stay in Northfield. The property is very clean and although we did not cook, the kitchen is equipped with everything you might need. The beds are comfortable and the location is very convenient. The owners were very responsive and easy to communicate with prior, during and after our stay. We loved learning about the property history.If we find ourselves in Northfield again, we would definitely stay at Nourse Cottage!
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.
Kristin K.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 20 Nov 2024
Aren't the bells the best? Every summer I swear I am going to track the different songs they play each day. I am glad the stay worked out so well for your family.
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!
Patricia K.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 24 June 2024
We are so honored our home was able to play a small role in your graduation weekend! Thank you so much for staying with us and being such thoughtful guests. We hope we will have the opportunity to host you again.
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.
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.
Eric L.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Oct 2024
Thank you for your kind words! We are so glad you had a nice stay. I hope your son/daughter has a great year at St. Olaf. We hope to see you again in the future!
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!
Julie B.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 28 May 2024
Julie and her family were wonderful guests! They treated our home as they would their own (even starting a load of laundry, which was totally unnecessary but much appreciated). We would welcome them back any time!
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!
JOHN H.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Oct 2024
We are so glad you enjoyed your visit! One of the great joys of sharing this home is getting to play a small part in helping families stay connected through the four, very fleeting years their student is in Northfield. We hope to see you again soon!
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.
Cindy J.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Mar 2025
We are glad you enjoyed your stay and appreciate the quality of this historic home. I’m sorry you didn’t reach out and let us know that you couldn’t find some of the kitchen appliances. The toaster and many other items are in the pantry next to the kitchen.
About the host
Hosted by Kristy and Adam Battani
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