Retreat or Reunion Home with Grand Porch and Views of Mountain and Lake

My dad who is in the picture (whose ancestors came from Nelson and Jaffrey) bought the property when he was 30 years old and spent every summer fixing it up so I have many memories of painting, climbing ladders, chopping wood and swinging a hammer. (We had fun too!) My mother was a really good baker, so blueberry pie was a summer favorite. Here in the picture I have a strawberry rhubarb pie for dad on Fathers Day. He loved sitting on the porch, looking out onto the lake and mountain in his later years.

This house, now called the Monadnock Manse was build in three sections (1889, 1900 and 1910) by Dr. George R. Dinsmoor of Keene, a veteran of the Civil War and a descendant of Governor Samuel Dinsmoor. Dr. Dinsmoor was a well-known surgeon of the time who lived in Keene. He sadly lived his last years suffering from paralysis and died at the age of 60. I believe that Dr. Dinsmoor enjoyed this house because it was a place for rejuvenation, relaxation and recovery.

The builder and designer was Cassius M. White of Keene. There were originally 49 double hung windows with 18 panes in the top sash and single pane at the bottom, two chimneys, eight bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. The original siding was dark weathered singles. The building materials were shipped up from Boston by train to the Chesham depot and then taken by a horse drawn cart to the site of the building.

The house was owned by Anna Louise Heath when my dad, Richard B. Hardy bought it in 1949. It was called “Ledge Lodge” because of all the granite rock around and under the house. In the 1950's our family re-named it Monadnock Manse and the lakefront was purchased so that we could have our own place for swimming, boating and fishing.

This summer home is a uniquely, authentic large cottage with the charm of the "On Golden Pond" setting. Spacious enough for three generations to gather for family vacations/reunions. Modern conveniences of Wifi, Roku for Netflix, and a sound system on the first floor add to the well equipped kitchen and dining area for accommodating larger groups. The porch is a favorite place for dining, conversation, ping-pong, yoga or meditating. Often the loons on the lake can be heard calling as they fly overhead.

There is fun for children with large yard for whiffle ball, tether ball, badminton, volleyball, or croquet. Lots of back roads for walking and bicycling; hiking trails nearby. The lake (2 miles long, 1/2 mile wide, and 90 feet deep) is spring-fed and wonderful for swimming, fishing, kayaking and boating. Small mouth bass and trout are often caught. In mid July-mid August , blueberry bushes surround the house and produce berries for your baking needs. Spring season has the advantage of long days and the fall season brings beautiful views of fall foliage where ever you look.

The surrounding area has historical villages to visit, music, theater and great restaurants. Keene is 20 minutes away and the best place for shopping and movies. We are 3 hours from Boston and 4.5 hours from NYC.