Est. 1904 · Center Harbor
The History of the Red Hill Inn
For generations, this property has been part of the character of Center Harbor and New Hampshire's Lakes Region.
Situated among the natural beauty of the Lakes Region, the property has welcomed visitors seeking relaxation, connection, and the timeless charm of New England hospitality. Over more than a century, it has worn many identities.
Our restoration honors the Inn's historic character while carefully updating it for future generations. Original features are being preserved wherever possible, so the spirit of the Red Hill Inn remains intact.
A Property Through Time
More than a century of stories
1904
The Tufts summer estate
Planned by James Walker Tufts — inventor of the soda fountain — and completed by his son Leonard Tufts as a summer home with a working farm. The Georgian Revival estate was positioned to capture sweeping views of Red Hill, Squam Lake, and the surrounding mountains.
Early 1900s
A family gathering place
For years the estate served as a gathering place for the Tufts family and was tied to the summer home of their Ayrshire cattle.
1963–73
Belknap College
The property was home to Belknap College for a decade.
1985
The Red Hill Inn opens
Purchased by Don Leavitt and his partner Rick Miller, who renovated and opened it as the Red Hill Inn with a full restaurant and many weddings and events. Visitors still stop by today recalling their time here fondly.
2001
The New Hampshire Music Festival
Owned for a short time by the New Hampshire Music Festival. Over the years the original acreage was reduced; the property now sits on 14 acres.
2017
A new chapter begins
Purchased in the fall of 2017 by Nancy & Mark Haines, beginning the restoration underway today.
Design & Legacy
An estate shaped by a famous vision.
Completed in 1904, the Georgian Revival estate reflected the ambitions of the Tufts family. Given their role in planning Pinehurst, North Carolina, many of the same design principles may have influenced this estate — including Southern wood species such as the Cypress used extensively in its construction.
Local historians have suggested architect Lyman Sise may have contributed to the main residence's design. No original plans have been found, but the Tufts–Sise connection is documented: Leonard Tufts and Lyman Sise both attended MIT, and in 1895 Tufts married Sise's sister, Gertrude Ware Sise.
The landscape may have been influenced by the nationally recognized firm of Warren H. Manning, whose naturalistic estate work was sought after across New England, since his client list records a Center Harbor project for Leonard Tufts.
Honoring the past, building the future.
As we restore this cherished property, we remain committed to celebrating its history while creating a welcoming destination for the generations to come.
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