Newly renovated Van Horn Estate boasts historical elegance with a modern touch

HOLDERNESS — Hannah and Robert Fougere rely heavily on their travel experiences to inform their roles as hosts of the Van Horn Estate.

They’ve appreciated, for instance, when they’ve checked into a hotel and discovered the staff knew their preferences from notes kept on a previous visit; now, they train their team to keep records. Likewise, they take pains to ensure their guests will never experience some of the gaffs they’ve endured at other inns.

“The most important thing is to make people feel like, ‘Wow, that was amazing money spent. I’d love to do that again,’” Hannah said. “We love our return guests, because we know we did a lot of things right for them.”

Since 2023, the couple has owned the 10-acre parcel of land with their own home, and the sprawling estate built by Isaac and Clara Van Horn as a private vacation home between 1904 and 1907. While its name, its owners and its use have changed over time, the main inn still boasts stunning views of Squam Lake and the White Mountains, seen through massive windows.

Deep, dark and elaborate wood trim still dominates the ambiance throughout.

“When you see the woodwork, you can’t believe they finished it in three years,” Hannah said.

Stately with a touch of modern

Over the past year, the Fougeres have overseen a major transformation of the estate.

Renovations have restored timeless charm, and modern elements have also been introduced, such as the development of a versatile event venue called The Mirador, and the addition of the jazzy, club-like Issac Bistro & Pub as an alternative dining option to the elegant and formal Van Horn Dining Room; both restaurants are open to the public as well as guests.

To further sophisticate the dining experience, the Fougeres have introduced Executive Chef Kevin Schmidt, a Johnson & Wales–trained chef and certified sommelier, to the property. Mentored by James Beard Award–winning chef Tom Colicchio, Schmidt is known for his mastery of Northern Italian and French-Mediterranean cuisine, his passion for farm-to-table sourcing and his deep wine knowledge.

“The result is a destination where history, hospitality and culinary excellence meet,” trumpets the website. For reservations and more information, visit vanhornestate.com.

At the heart of it all is the main building, now known as The Manor to harken to the most recent name for the entire estate, the Manor on Golden Pond. The Manor holds 15 recently updated rooms for guests and the formal dining room on one side, which was once the billiards room for the original residents. “You can still see where the pool cues go on the walls,” Hannah said.

The pub and bistro and adjoining patio are on the opposite side of the building. Also on the campus are two villas each housing up to three people, a cottage that accommodates three or four people, a new spa near completion, an outdoor pool, walking paths and two flat landscapes for wedding ceremonies.

The Mirador accommodates up to 140 guests. It opened in 2024, and has been used for weddings, holiday parties, week-long corporate event, luncheons and retreats.

When it’s reserved for a wedding, everything else on the property is closed — including The Manor, the cottage and the restaurants — so the bride and groom have a private experience with their family and invited guests.

“Everyone that works there is focused on that couple. The Mirador was built with that in mind,” Hannah said.

Smooth transition

Before the purchase of the estate, the Fougeres studied its history at Holderness Town Hall, the University of New Hampshire and online. They spent days poring over documents like census forms, finding the thread of a story and learning that after the estate was the Van Horn’s private home, in the 1940s, the property was home to the Holderness Photographic Colony, and has served as an inn under various names since the 1950s.

The couple also picked up little tidbits as they studied, such as that Isaac and Clara Van Horn were eventually divorced, and housekeeping staff once came from Sweden.

The Manor on Golden Pond was fully functioning when Hannah and Robert purchased the property. They inherited the staff and the guest reservations, and they closed only long enough to modernize and computerize various systems. A staff of 17 employees runs the place, to which guests over 12 are welcome.

Open all year round, they draw the summer lake crowd as well as skiers in the winter. Many guests come to visit the two local private schools, the Holderness School and New Hampton School.

Modest hosts

Hannah and Robert are humble hosts who like the estate to speak for itself with guests. They don’t care to call attention to themselves.

Hannah began working as a housekeeper in the hospitality industry after her high school graduation in 2003, and has been in every role from front desk attendant to server at small hotels in New Hampshire. Robert has worked in a lot of industries, but mostly in finance.

They feel lucky to be growing their business.

“We can’t wait to see what else we can do,” Hannah said.