17 Indian Trail, Barnstable MA 02655

About this home

A secluded treasure nestled on a private island. In the 1950s, Paul Mellon, heir to the famous banking family that established the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., and his wife Bunny chose this setting for a summer retreat. They created a home of elegance, comfort and great beauty, where they entertained world leaders, movie stars and industrialists. Bunny shaped the gardens and landscape, creating an exquisite blend of native plantings and trees. The 7,300-square-foot main house is integrated into the land, with its eight bedrooms offering views of either the sea or the gardens. Natural pathways wind through the property, connecting the main house to cottages—including a former art studio converted into a private suite—and lead to a beach house, where the Mellons hosted President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline. With over 500 feet of waterfront, a private dock, and access to a private island, now serving as a protected bird sanctuary, this is an island haven like no other.