THE HOLDERNESS INN

The present Holderness Inn was built in 1895 after the original (built in 1874) burned down. It provided food and lodging for hundreds of summer visitors until it was purchased by a citizen’s group in 1967 to become part of what is now Squam Lakes Natural Science Center. For the next 14 years, the Inn provided the Science Center’s first classrooms, offices, workshop, and animal care facility. When a new education facility in 1982 was built, the Inn was closed. Today, the Inn houses a variety of exhibits and businesses under the auspices of the Science Center.

Upstairs in the Holderness Inn, the Fauver Gallery displays the Goodhue Collection, comprised of mounted specimens of birds and mammals collected in the early twentieth century by Charles Goodhue. The adjoining exhibit highlighting Brad Washburn; explorer, cartographer, and summer visitor to Squam Lake has been moved to the Squam Lakes Association. In addition to climbing and mapping Mt. Everest, Brad Washburn made the first maps of Squam Lake.

Downstairs in the Holderness Inn, the Squam Lakes Artisans “A Gallery of Regional Arts and Crafts” offer a general mix of pottery, jewelry, fabric art, photography, paintings, cards, wood products, stained glass, and basketry featuring natural themes. The gallery will be open in 2008 from May 23 through October 13. Kirkwood Cafe serves top quality beverages, snacks, and sandwiches.

Kirkwood Cafe

Squam Lakes Artisans