588 Main Street, Orford, NH $1,350,000

Click on the photo for a beautiful video tour of this historic home

Property Overview

The Hinckley House is best known as one of the seven historical Ridge Homes of Orford, favorably located in town yet cradled by lush New England forests and a gently flowing Connecticut River. The prominence of the Hinckley House goes beyond this charming distinction, however. This house is a true testament to a bygone era, with notable features and memorable people to distinguish it. Discovered beneath layers of wallpaper in the 1960s, two meticulously restored Rufus Porter American Folk Art murals adorn all four walls of the North and South bedrooms, endowing this estate with rare, authentic works of art. Daniel Webster once stayed in the North bedroom as a guest during his campaign for Presidency in 1840, complimenting in a letter to his wife the hospitality of his gracious hosts, the original owners of the house. In the 1890s the Boston Symphony Orchestra toured New England and played on the front lawn for the citizens of the area. In addition, the first floor of the barn - recently renovated into a game room - once served as a dance hall. Talk about central - from the first years of existence, this estate has been a gathering place for family, friends, and community. It has recently been updated to provide formal and informal living, dining, and entertaining rooms to cater to every modern need. And yet, while the Hinckley House radiates with history, it's a clean canvas ready for your vision of the future. It’s so much more than an iconic house on a hill; it’s a wonderfully unique place - with a story - to call home.

About The Ridge

The Ridge is part of the Historic District, and the significance of the District is emphasized by the setting of the seven houses, well back from the road on the eminence of the Ridge, and by the tree-shaded Mall extending along the street the entire half mile of the District with buildings on both sides of the street. The beauty of Orford Street has merited and continues to merit the praise and admiration of visitors. Washington Irving, after a visit to Orford, wrote: "In all my travels in this country and Europe, I have seen no village more beautiful. It is a charming place. Nature has done her utmost here."

An unusual and admired feature of the District is the Orford Mall, publicized as early as the mid-1800's in the Boston Evening Traveler. A letter to the editor recommended a visit to Orford, "the most charming country village" the writer had ever seen, and said "...look at that mall,. .level as a house floor - straight as a line, and skirted with trees on both sides. Is there a parallel to this in the whole country?"

About the Area

Situated near the Connecticut River in New Hampshire's verdant Upper Valley, Orford is a classic, rural New England town rich with history and inspiring landscapes. A short, 20-minute drive separates Orford from Hanover's Dartmouth College, and is only a quick jaunt over the bridge to the neighboring Vermont towns of Fairlee, West Fairlee, and Vershire. In the tradition of Upper Valley community relations and because of their close proximity, Orford partnered with the three Vermont towns across the river and formed an interstate K-12 school district.

The homes in Orford have a distinct historic Federal style, and there are farms spread around the mostly forested land. The mountain peaks, ponds, and the Connecticut River create the perfect environment for outdoor activities, like boating, hiking, snowshoeing, and hunting. At the summit of Mount Cube, residents can pick up the Appalachian Trail. The Cross-Rivendell Trail connects Orford to Vermont's lush open meadows and valleys. Because of its location, Orford is close to many other area attractions, including the Franconia Notch State Park and Cannon Ski Resort, and of course, the ever-popular Lake Winnipesaukee.