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Three Chimneys Inn, Durham 

 Featured Bed and Breakfast in Durham, New Hampshire

Three Chimneys Inn, Durham, the oldest homestead in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire, is a newly restored 1649 Mansion and Carriage House overlooking terraced formal gardens, fountains, the Oyster River and the Old Mill Falls.

Within steps of the University of New Hampshire, and in the historic district, eight miles from Portsmouth, the Inn offers unique, authentic colonial lodging convenient to antique and outlet shopping, the Strawberry Bank Village Museum, several historic mansions on tour, beaches, and the rugged coastline of Maine.

The original mansion dining room and winter kitchen provide an authentic pre-revolutionary war setting for fine dining in Maples. Four fireplaces cast a warm glow on elegant cuisine.

 

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Elegantly appointed guestrooms, all located within the historic buildings, feature fireplaces, four poster beds with Edwardian bed drapes, Georgian mahogany furnishings, full private baths with oversize showers, two person tubs, and jacuzzis. Rich tapestries, antique artwork, and polished plank flooring dressed with oriental rugs complete the ambience of these special rooms. Rates inclusive of a full breakfast, afternoon tea, and all the conveniences of a civilized leisure or business traveler. Awarded Gourmet Greatness by Boston's Phanthom Gourmet, Four Stars by the Manchester Union Gourmet, and Yankee Magazine's Editors Pick for the past three consecutive years. The Tavern with it's open hearth summer kitchen fireplace, granite walls, and hawn hewn beams, provides a cozy spot for hearty traditional fare.

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SIGHTSEEING HISTORIC SITES — PORTSMOUTH — EIGHT MINUTES FROM THE INN STRAWBERY BANKE MUSEUM — A restored 10-acre waterfront neighborhood reflecting 350 years of architectural and social change. Furnished homes on tour, exhibitions, demonstrations of early crafts, role players, and period gardens in Prescott Park, provide a view of daily life in the seventeenth century. Located at the South End, the museum is open daily from April 12 to October 31, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (603) 433-1100. JOHN PAUL JONES HOUSE (1758) — John Paul Jones lived here while supervising the outfitting of The Ranger (1777) and America (1781) for the Continental Navy. Located at the corner of Middle and State Streets. Open daily, June 1 to mid October; weekdays, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sunday, 12 - 4 p.m. (603) 436-8420. WARNER HOUSE (1716) — This house is perhaps the finest example of a brick, urban mansion of the early 18th century in New England. Six mural paintings decorate the stairway wall. A lightning rod on the west wall is said to have been installed under the supervision of Ben Franklin in 1762. Located on the corner of Daniel and Chapel Streets. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. (603) 436-5909. WENTWORTH COOLIDGE MANSION — (1710) A dominating 42-room Structure that reflects periods of New England Architecture (1710-1750), the mansion was the official residence of Benning Wentworth, the first Royal Governor of New Hampshire (1741-1767). It contains council chambers where the state's first provincial government conducted affairs. On Little Harbor Road. Guided tours available. (603) 436-6607. GOVERNOR JOHN LANGDON HOUSE — (1784) This magnificent mansion on Pleasant Street, was built for John Langdon, a prosperous merchant and ardent supporter of the Revolutionary War. Open June 1 - October15. Guided tours on the hour. Wed - Sun, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (603) 436-3205. MOFFATT-LADD HOUSE (1763) — This elegant three-story mansion was the residence of one family from 1763 until it became a house museum. Residents included Declaration of Independence signer William Whipple. Of particular interest are original portraits, artifacts, and furniture made in Portsmouth area. Terraced gardens. Open daily June 15 - Oct 15. Man - Sat 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sun, 2-5 p.m. 154 Market Street (603) 436-8221. RUNDLET-MAY HOUSE (1807) — James Rundlet, a wealthy merchant, built this house in the grand Federal style. The house is furnished with family pieces, many of which were made by Portsmouth cabinet makers. Located on Middle Street. Open June 1-Oct 15. Wed-Sun 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (603) 436-3205.ST. JOHNS CHURCH (1807) — On display is a Vinegar Bible, one of only four in existence in the United States. On November 1, 1789, President George Washington attended services here. Located on Chapel Street. (603) 436-8283. FORT CONSTITUTION, NEWCASTLE, NH - Formerly named by the British as Fort William and Mary, these fortifications were raided by revolutionaries, and gunpowder and cannon balls were taken to Durham and stored at the frost Sawyer Homestead, (the inn) Currently a U.S. Coast Guard Station, the fort is open for self guided tours. PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD - KITTERY HISTORICAL SUBMARINE MUSEUM -Opens June 5, 2000 (207) 439-3080. OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST - PORTSMOUTH ALBACORE PARK Explore a U. S. Navy Submarine. 600 Market Street. Open May 1 - Columbus Day, 9:30 am to 5:30 p.m. Call for winter hours. 603 436 3680. CHILDRENS MUSEUM OF PORTSMOUTH. More than 19 hands-on exhibits await children of all ages. 280 Marcy Street. (603) 436-3853. WATER COUNTRY - New England's largest water park. Experience the new Pirate's Lagoon, white water raft rides, Thunder Falls, Wild Canyon and Gigantic Wave Pool. 3 miles south of the Portsmouth traffic circle on Route. 1 603 427 1111 SEACOAST REPERATORY THEATER. Located in the heart of Portsmouth, SRT is the area's only year-round professional theater. 125 Bow Street. 1 800 639-7650 SHOPPING PORTSMOUTH - Chosen as one of Money Magazine's top 10 places in the U.S. in which to live, Portsmouth's downtown and historic waterfront district has blossomed into charming neighborhoods, full of intriguing side streets lined with fine shops and boutiques. Park in the central garage on Hanover Street, and you will be within a short walk of most of the charm that Portsmouth offers. ANTIQUES - Several shops on lower State Street, near Strawbery Banke Museum, offer a fine selection of antiques and collectibles. ANTIQUES - Route 4, near the Inn, connects Portsmouth and the State Capital, Concord, New Hampshire. Travel west on Route 4 past the Lee traffic circle, (Mac Donald's, at Route 125.) toward Concord, you will discover several antique shops, run as both group displays and by individual proprietors. This 30-minute drive will provide some interesting scenery as well as a look at the State Capital. KITTERY OUTLETS must across the Piscataqua River from Portsmouth, and 10 minutes from the Inn, shoppers save up to 70% at the Route 1 Outlets. Almost every major brand of clothing, housewares, linen, china, toys, footwear and sporting goods are represented at 120 outlet stores. Kittery Trading Post is worth a visit just to see a vast array of camping, hunting, and outdoor gear, giftware, and casual clothing. Open daily 9 a.m. to 9. p.m. Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 207 439 2700. Or 1-888-Kittery FOX RUN MALL- NEWINGTON - 7 Minutes from the inn, this large mall Includes Filenes, Macy's, Sears, J.C.Penney, Gap, Structure, and numerous other quality retail stores. Take Route 4 east toward Portsmouth. POINTS OF INTEREST- DURHAM and the surrounding communities. A WALKING TOUR OF DURHAM'S HISTORIC DISTRICT. Three Chimneys Inn overlooks the town landing, and the old mill falls. A walk down through the Inn's terraced gardens will bring you to the Olde Town Landing, one of the prominent sites for the ship building activities supporting Portsmouth Harbour and the Seacoast Region. Beginning the mid-1600's loggers hauled their trade to the Mill (just across the way). Timbers were milled to fit the main center masts for the tall ships of the then Royal Navy. Flat bottom gundalo river boats were constructed to meet the changing tide levels, allowing transportation to Portsmouth Harbour to be frequent and consistent. The mill at the top of the falls would flow the rough milled timbers down the falls to the Town Landing where they were loaded onto the Gundalow and sailed up the Oyster River to Little Bay, into Great Bay and to the waters of Portsmouth Harbour. As ship building was a seasonal craft ... the mill, the timbers and the craftsmen had a grand backup trade ... furniture. As you wander about the Inn, and visit some of the fine period homes in our region, take notice to the staircase banisters, knewell posts, spindles, the beautiful Birdseye Birch Highboy, the traditional scallop shell carvings these are just but a few of the handprints of our millers and seamens craft. From the landing a pedestrian bridge across the Oyster River will lead up to Sullivan Park, where one of George Washington's Generals, John Sullivan, built his home. As you walk down the road south past the Great Bay Kennel, and look across the field, you will see the Mill Pond Center, a house which was Durham's original inn, and a team which has become a repertory theater and art gallery. Further down the road, you will come upon the Town Pound, a granite enclosure which was a place where stray cattle, hogs, and wayward horses were collected, awaiting reclamation by their owners. Thus the term Dog Pound The Frost Sawyer homestead, (Three Chimneys Inn), was built by Nathaniel Hill in 1649. The mill falls, site of the first sawmill in the area, was part of a land grant to Mr. Hill from the King of England in 1648. As you walk back from Sullivan Park, you will see various historic markers telling of the Indian massacres which occurred in the 1680's in the area. The inn survived these attacks, perhaps because of the sliding Indian shutters, which can still be seen in the parlor of the house. Immediately next to the Inn's Carriage Bam, you will see a one-acre plot that was deeded to the Town of Durham in 1795 by the Hill family to serve as the Town Cemetery. It not only shelters resting places dating the late 1700's, but as you wonder about you will find a row of orphan head stones dating the late 1600's to the deeded cemetery date. Head stones that had been damaged, found in unattended areas, abandoned and lay to ruin relocated to this their final resting place. UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, DURHAM - As the state's largest university founded in 1866, UNH is the home of the Whitemore School of Business. The University offers over 2000 courses to its 10,500 undergraduates students in a broad curriculum in engineering, agriculture and the arts. The newly renovated 207,000 square foot Dimond Library is worth a visit. Whitemore Center for the Performing Arts, a 6,000 seat entertainment and sports complex, hosts frequent sports activities like hockey and basketball, as well as appearances by the Boston Pops, Disney on Ice, and other special events. LITTLE BAY BUFFALO COMPANY- This working Buffalo (Bison) ranch, provides the Inn with Bison for those steak and burger lovers seeking an atlemative. Located approximately 2.5 miles from the Inn down the Durham Point Road to Langley Farm nestled on Little Bay. Ideal for a walk and picnic lunch. Open year round 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. FLAG HILL WINERY AND VINEYARDS - Overlooking 15 Acres and 9,000 Vines of French hybrid grapes, the winery, housed in a circa 1798 barn, produces 800 cases and four styles of wine. Tours of the vineyard and tastings. 297 N. River Road, Route 155, Lee. (603) 659-2949. EMERY FARMS - Seasonal blueberry picking, and petting zoo. On the Route 4 road to Portsmouth. (603) 742-8495. SUGGESTED DAY TRIPS, All close enough to the Three Chimneys Inn for a leisurely, relaxed drive. YORK HARBOR, OGONQUIT, AND KENNEBUNKPORT MAINE. The concierge will provide directions and suggested points of interest. SHAKER VILLAGE - CANTEBURY, NEW HAMPSHIRE, a well preserved 1 8th century experimental community where spiritual values were combined with industrial productivity. April through December, Mon-Fri 603 783 9511 PORTLAND MAINE - ONE HOUR NORTH OF THE INN ON 1-95 L.L.BEAN OUTLET AND THE OUTLETS OF FREEPORT MAINE One hour and 15 minutes from the Inn. BOSTON - All the sights of Boston can be enjoyed by traveling one hour and 15 minutes on 1-95 and Route 1.

Strawbery Banke Living Museum

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