New Hampshire’s historic mansions tell the story of American architecture’s evolution, reflecting the styles and tastes of their time. The Warner House in Portsmouth, built in 1716, is a classic example of early American brick construction, with heavy Georgian lines and intricate wood paneling inside — a solid, unadorned nod to New England’s colonial beginnings. Meanwhile, the Moffatt-Ladd House, also in Portsmouth, merges Georgian with Federal elements, its balanced symmetry and detailed woodwork reflecting the late 18th-century’s turn toward refinement and order. The grander Arts and Crafts movement hits its stride at Lucknow Estate (Castle in the Clouds), an early 20th-century marvel with its low, sweeping rooflines and handcrafted woodwork — all framed by panoramic views over Lake Winnipesaukee. Then there’s the Governor John Langdon House, an 18th-century Georgian mansion with bold, symmetrical facades and grand interiors that mirror the ambitions of Revolutionary leaders. Each mansion stands as a piece of New Hampshire’s architectural story, from colonial practicality to high Victorian style, capturing shifts in taste, wealth, and American identity.
10. Ladd-Gilman House – Exeter
The Ladd-Gilman House, built in 1721 in Exeter, is a classic example of early colonial New England architecture. With its simple yet sturdy design, the house reflects the practical, no-nonsense aesthetic of the era. Originally built by the Ladd family, it later became the home of Nicholas Gilman, a signer of the U.S. Constitution, linking the house to pivotal moments in American history. The architecture leans heavily on the Georgian style, with its symmetrical facade, central chimney, and minimal decorative elements. The interiors are equally straightforward, featuring exposed wooden beams, wide-plank floors, and paneled walls. Now a museum operated by the American Independence Museum, the Ladd-Gilman House preserves artifacts and documents from the Revolutionary War era, including an original draft of the Constitution. Its location in Exeter, the state’s Revolutionary War capital, adds to its significance, making it a cornerstone of New Hampshire’s colonial and early American heritage.
9. Warner House – Portsmouth
The Warner House in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is a masterful example of early Georgian architecture, dating back to 1716. Constructed for Captain Archibald Macpheadris, a prominent merchant and sea captain, the house is the oldest urban brick dwelling in northern New England. Its symmetrical façade, bold Flemish bond brickwork, and gabled roof give it an imposing presence on the streetscape. The interiors are equally impressive, with six overmantel murals painted by an unknown artist — considered the oldest examples of such artwork in America. These murals, depicting pastoral and maritime scenes, add a rare decorative touch that speaks to the global influences of the time, as Macpheadris was deeply tied to transatlantic trade. Original features like wide pine floorboards, paneled walls, and an elaborately carved staircase showcase craftsmanship at its peak. Architecturally, the house is significant for blending English traditions with colonial ingenuity, using imported materials like brick and local timber.
8. Moffatt-Ladd House – Portsmouth
The Moffatt-Ladd House, completed in 1763 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is a distinguished example of Georgian architecture. Constructed for merchant John Moffatt, the house features wood clapboard siding, with decorative quoins at the corners that mimic the appearance of masonry. It features a symmetrical façade, hipped roof, and central pedimented doorway with pilasters are characteristic of the Georgian style. Inside, the house boasts intricately carved wood paneling, a grand central staircase, and original fireplaces, reflecting the craftsmanship of the 18th century. Historically, the house is significant for its association with William Whipple, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and Revolutionary War general. Whipple married John Moffatt’s daughter, Katharine, and the couple resided in the house during the Revolutionary period. The property remained in the Moffatt and Ladd families for generations, with Alexander Ladd inheriting it in the 19th century, ensuring its preservation. The surrounding terraced gardens, featuring a historic horse chestnut tree planted in 1776, add to the property’s historical significance.
7. Governor John Langdon House – Portsmouth
The Governor John Langdon House, completed in 1784 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is a prime example of Georgian architecture. Built for John Langdon — a merchant, shipbuilder, Revolutionary War leader, and three-term governor of New Hampshire — the exterior features a symmetrical five-bay façade, a central pedimented entrance adorned with Corinthian columns, and a hipped roof, all characteristic of the Georgian style. The interior boasts grand reception rooms with elaborate Rococo wood carvings, including intricate mantelpieces and detailed moldings, showcasing the craftsmanship of the period. Historically, the house is notable for hosting President George Washington during his 1789 visit to Portsmouth. Washington praised it as “the first” in the city, highlighting its significance. In the late 19th century, Langdon’s descendants restored the house and added a substantial wing designed by the architectural firm of McKim, Mead, and White, incorporating modern necessities while maintaining the original aesthetic.
6. Weeks Estate – Lancaster
The Weeks Estate in Lancaster, New Hampshire, built in 1912 for John Wingate Weeks, mixes Tudor and Spanish Mediterranean Revival styles. The house, a two-story stuccoed structure with half-timbering and red tile clipped gable roofs, reflects the eclectic architectural preferences of early 20th-century America. The estate’s strategic location provides sweeping views of the Presidential Range, the Green Mountains, and the Connecticut River Valley. An observation tower on the property, initially built as a water storage structure, further enhances the site’s panoramic appeal. The estate also includes a carriage house and servants’ quarters, maintaining architectural consistency. Donated to the state in 1941 by Weeks’ children, the 446-acre property now serves as Weeks State Park.
5. Saint-Gaudens House (Aspet) – Cornish
Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park in Cornish, New Hampshire, preserves the home and studio of sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. At the center of the park is Aspet, Saint-Gaudens’ residence, originally built in the early 19th century as a Federal-style brick home. Over time, the sculptor added Colonial Revival touches, including wood clapboards, green shutters, and a porch, giving the house a distinct blend of styles. The property became a focal point for the Cornish Colony, an informal community of artists and writers drawn to the area’s peaceful surroundings. Saint-Gaudens transformed the grounds into an extension of his artistic vision, with formal gardens, a tree-lined path, and outdoor spaces that showcased replicas of his major works. Visitors can still see his sculptures, including the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial and the Adams Memorial, placed throughout the estate. Now part of the National Park Service, the site highlights the intersection of art, architecture, and landscape design.
4. Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion – Portsmouth
The Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, stands as a rare surviving example of 18th-century Georgian architecture. Built in the mid-1700s, it served as the official residence of colonial Governor Benning Wentworth. Its sprawling, asymmetrical design reflects the practical yet elegant sensibilities of the period, blending the formal symmetry of Georgian style with adaptations for its coastal New England location. The mansion consists of more than 40 rooms spread across several connected sections, giving it a rambling, almost village-like appearance. The clapboard exterior, painted a distinctive mustard yellow, contrasts with its white-trimmed windows and doors. The interiors feature wide-plank wood floors, wainscoting, and exposed beams, all hallmarks of craftsmanship in the 18th century. Despite its grand size, the mansion retains a sense of intimacy, with smaller chambers and fireplaces tucked into its design. Architecturally significant, the house represents a transition from the rigid formality of earlier colonial styles to a more relaxed, sprawling layout. Positioned along the waterfront, the mansion also served as a hub of political and social activity in its heyday.
3. Lucknow Estate – Moultonborough
Lucknow Estate, also called Castle in the Clouds, is an excellent example of early 20th-century Arts and Crafts architecture, blending innovation with the natural surroundings of New Hampshire. Built in 1914 by Thomas Gustave Plant, a shoe manufacturing tycoon, the mansion reflects the Arts and Crafts movement’s philosophy of craftsmanship and harmony with the environment. Constructed with local granite and timber, the house emphasizes clean lines and practical elegance. It was a modern marvel for its time, equipped with central vacuuming, intercoms, and refrigeration systems. The interior features custom woodwork, intricate stained glass, and a layout designed to maximize natural light and views of Lake Winnipesaukee. Plant’s ambitious dream of creating a mountain retreat was realized in Lucknow, but financial troubles eventually forced him to leave. The estate now serves as a public museum, allowing visitors to explore its rich details, from the craftsman-style fireplaces to the sweeping verandas.
2. John Paul Jones House – Portsmouth
The John Paul Jones House in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is an 18th-century Georgian-style gem that carries layers of history. Built in 1758 for Gregory Purcell, a merchant, the house features a symmetrical five-bay façade with clapboard siding and a hipped roof — hallmarks of the Georgian aesthetic that valued proportion and balance. The central entry is framed with classical pilasters and a pediment. Although named for the American naval hero John Paul Jones, who is said to have boarded here briefly during the Revolutionary War, the house’s real story is a tapestry of maritime connections and local significance. Following Purcell’s death, his widow operated it as a boarding house, cementing its status as a hub of Revolutionary-era Portsmouth. The wood-paneled rooms and wide-plank floors are representative of 18th-century craftsmanship. Managed by the Portsmouth Historical Society, the house is a museum today, preserving artifacts related to John Paul Jones and the broader maritime history of the region.
1. Aldrich House – Portsmouth
The Thomas Bailey Aldrich House, located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is a Federal-style residence built around 1790. Its design features the balanced proportions and symmetry that define the Federal period, including a central entry flanked by evenly spaced windows capped with a fanlight above the door. The house is constructed of clapboard, with simple, clean lines and minimal ornamentation typical of the era. The interior includes period-appropriate woodwork and restrained decorative elements that reflect the Federal aesthetic. The home’s layout, with a central hall and flanking rooms, was a common design choice for houses of its time, offering both functionality and a sense of formality. The house was the boyhood home of Thomas Bailey Aldrich, a 19th-century poet, novelist, and editor. Aldrich’s literary achievements brought attention to the property, particularly through his semi-autobiographical work, The Story of a Bad Boy – one of the first American novels to portray a realistic childhood and thought to have influenced Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
