Rosewood Inn Celebrates Unique NH In Unexpected Ways

Norma A. and Anita M "Love It Here!"

Submitted by: Norma A., Granite State Ambassador

"Winta" Class of 2001

During our Granite State Ambassador Educational Tour of the Sunapee Region, I was fortunate to have my name chosen in the lottery for The Rosewood Country Inn in Bradford, NH.

Although the Inn is 8 minutes off the main track in Bradford, and was a half hour drive from our meeting place in New London, we found ourselves to have been blessed with a wonderful overnight diamond. As we approached along the quaint and scenic Pleasant View Road we couldn't help but wonder what kind of place we must be headed for, but soon we found this was definitely a delightful place where one would definitely go for a relaxing time away from the world.  The acres of manicured, sculpted, picturesque land dressed in flowers was breathtaking. And sitting in it's midst, lying so quiet and lovely was a gorgeous three storied Victorian home with several gables and surrounding Farmers porch with wicker furniture, an artist's painting to behold with a subtle green wooden siding and rose-colored shutters beside all it's many windows.

We immediately felt welcomed as "Dick" met us at the paved drive with his feline friend (who was NOT allowed into the guest area doors) and helped us with our luggage. Inside, we saw the charming guest Living Room and Game/reading room so tasteful and immaculate in Victorian charm with a wide staircase going to the second floor of beauty. There we met "Leslie" and our host owners explained how they had moved from the big city and purchased this "run-down farmhouse and land" about 20 years ago and had done all the renovations and additions slowly over the years, Dick doing the landscaping and helping with the guests, and Leslie doing the Interior Decorating, cooking and collaborating with the architectural designing. She related that she had purchased all hand-made laces and other linens.

And what a fine job they did! Each of the twelve guest rooms are luxuriously decorated and uniquely and aptly named for an American Statesman, an honored woman, or a historical theme. (Abigail Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Whispering Pines, Nathanial Hawthorne, Williamsburg, Sturbridge, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Moondance, Dreamcatcher)

We were speechless as we viewed our guest rooms. Mine was romantically adorned with Rose covered vintage style wallpaper and matching quilted chintz window coverings and contrasting pillows on a high posted, queen-sized, hand laced canopied bed with special touches that would have suited Nathanial Hawthorne himself. And the large, full bath facility with all of one's needs was entered via a smaller room containing a corner Jacuzzi decorated with rubber duckies. One could not want for anything, and could feel welcomed and comfortable with a room like this - TV, gas fireplace, electric clock radio, extra bed pillows in a separate closet,  (no wi-fi!), windows that opened to the fresh air,  a perfectly wonderful mattress, and all the little touches like an ongoing journal for the guests found on the side table and a copy of a self-made book called "Return to Rosewood" by a local NH author.

I slept beautifully and awoke to the sound of the birds through my window ajar as they sang from the surrounding greenery, so beautiful with the upcoming sun.

Our morning breakfast was called and we entered a beautiful large dining room clothed for a gourmet banquet in white clothes and rose-colors napkins, candlelight and crystal, silver settings in front of a fully glassed window overlooking a small pond. We certainly were made to feel extra special as Dick served us graciously with a delightful menu of fruit, muffins, juice, coffee and quiche. Breakfast will never be the same again!

This was a perfect spot for a getaway, and we sincerely thanked our owner hosts for their generous hospitality and offering. I wished we could have stayed longer but our Ambassadors were awaiting us for another day's adventure.

Dick and Leslie can rest assured that I will definitely recommend their lovely Inn and hospitality to our NH visitors that wish to visit their area or even a NH resident that wishes to get away from it all for awhile.

I have no doubt that they will once again "Return to Rosewood".

Discover More With Seacoast Segway Tours

Submitted by Richard Russell, Granite State Ambassador
Concentra Urgent Care Class of 2009

Discover MORE of Portsmouth -- the most fun you will have touring the City.

Experience historic Portsmouth, NH in an exciting new way. Take a guided tour on your own personal Segway PT through some of the most beautiful and history-rich places in Portsmouth.

Tours start at the Portsmouth Historical Society's John Paul House. There are two guided tours that you can take.  Historic Homes and City Tour or the Historic City and Waterfront Tour. With Segway's amazingly intuitive riding, the better vantage point from up on a Segway, and the distance you can cover with a Segway, you will never do another tour of Portsmouth like this. Sightseeing on this guided Segway PT tour is a unique and fun way to get to know and appreciate a truly historic seacoast city.

Visit Seacoast Segway Tours online or call 603-828-5280 to schedule the tour of a lifetime.

Franklin Pierce: New Hampshire’s Only United States President

Betty's Travel Planning Tips
Submitted by: Betty Gagne, Granite State Ambassador, First in the Nation Class 1999; Customer Service Assistant NH Division of Travel & Tourism Development


Franklin Pierce was the only United States President who hailed from New Hampshire and served as the country’s 14th president. There are several points of interest in NH that relate to Franklin Pierce, including his childhood homestead in Hillsborough, the Pierce Manse in Concord, and his burial site in the Old North Cemetery, also in Concord.

Source: City Profile

The Franklin Pierce Homestead in Hillsborough is where Pierce spent most of his childhood; it was constructed by his father the year Franklin was born. Here Daniel Webster was entertained in the ballroom on the second floor, and Franklin Pierce drilled local militia groups. The mansion is maintained and operated by the Hillsborough Historical Society. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1961, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The home is located off Route 31; New Hampshire residents are admitted free of charge, while others pay a small admission fee. Guided tours are offered. For information, please call 603-478-3165, or visit the New Hampshire Parks and Recreation webpage dedicated to this historic site.

Source: Wikipedia

The Pierce Manse is located at 14 Horseshoe Pond Lane in Concord, and is the only house ever owned and occupied by Franklin Pierce, his wife Jane, and their two children. Constructed in Greek Revival style, the home is open for tours from June through October. Threatened with demolition in 1966, it was saved and moved to a site in Concord's Historic District. The house has been restored and many of the furnishings either belonged to Pierce or other members of his family. Group tours may be scheduled by appointment.

Source: Wikipedia

The Franklin Pierce Burial Site is in the Old North Cemetery in Concord. Pierce is buried there with his wife Jane and two of their sons. The gravesite was refurbished and the deteriorating markers were replaced by a single granite spire with all the names inscribed. The first child was buried elsewhere at the time of death. The burial site sits toward the rear of the graveyard and is marked by a tall marker. There is also an historical marker in the cemetery with more information about Pierce’s life.

A distinguished statue of Franklin Pierce sits proudly on the lawn of the NH State House on Main Street in Concord. The dedication took place on November 25th, 1914. You can learn more about Franklin Pierce’s legacy and see a photo of the statue by visiting the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources.

Polly's Pancake Parlor is Delicious Any Time of Day

Submitted by Sue Geyer, Granite State Ambassador
Currier Museum Class of 2010

Last fall when my folks were visiting, we took a drive upnorth. Since two of my Father’s favorite foods are maple sugar/syrup and pancakes, I decided to take them to Polly’s Pancake Parlor. I hadn’t been there in a long time and was delighted that it had the same warm rustic feel I remembered.

Although they have a lot of other things on the menu, we were set for breakfast and that is one of their strengths. The fact that they have a tray on the table with maple syrup, maple cream and granulated maple sugar was a big hit. My Dad ordered a full stack of pancakes while my Mom and I did the half stack along with some meat. They have a variety of batters along with different add-ins. And you can opt for up to three different combinations. So I think I had blueberry buckwheat, walnut buttermilk and coconut cornmeal. They are 3-inch pancakes and you get either 3 or 6. What’s really nice if you order the full stack is they bring you three to begin with and then after a little while bring you three more hot from the griddle. And everything was delicious!

The dining room overlooked the mountains and is beautiful. Someone happened to spot some bears playing and clued in the rest of the dining room.

They also have a wonderful little gift shop, which includes Polly’s pancake mix and lots of maple products. You can also order off their website year round.

However, they are closed in the winter, so don't hold off a visit of your own! Once they close for the season, they won't open again until the beginning of May 2012 (check their website for seasonal details). Whenever you do visit, it’s a great destination any time of the day.