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The Wildflowers Inn and the
Magnificent Mt. Washington
By: Norm Goldman
Artist: Lily Azerad-Goldman
 “After being mesmerized by the beauty and ambiance of
Inns, we started thinking about how nice it would be to live as innkeepers
in one of these places.”
These were the exact words Denise and Dave Broughton,
proud owners of the
Wildflowers Inn in North Conway, New Hampshire, conveyed to me when I
asked them why they wanted to own a B&B. In 2002 their dream was realized.
What is so interesting about this B&B is the history
attached to it.
 Built in 1878, this cozy Victorian cottage was once the
summer home of a distinguished American Constitution historian, lawyer,
scholar and Civil War Veteran from Boston,
Dr. James Schouler (pronounced Skooler) and his wife Emily Fuller.
Apparently, the Schoulers first visited the area in
1871; fell in love with the surroundings, particularly the magnificent view
of Mount Washington, and eventually decided to purchase a disused pasture,
where the B&B now sits.
What remains of the original 1878 cottage are the
floors, doors, moldings, heating pipes and radiators, windows and most of
the walls. Slight additions have been added, here and there, but for the
most part the inn has remained in tact, as pictured in an 1879 issue of
The American Architect and Building News. Notice the price tag at the
time-five thousand dollars, a huge sum of money at the time!
It was the first of several summer residences
reflecting an era when socialites from Boston and New York would rendezvous
in Conway
Wildflower Inn maintains an unhurried gentility
consisting of nine guest rooms all with private baths.
Each room comes with air conditioning, ceiling fans,
and data port, fireplaces, hot tubs, whirlpool tubs, radios, satellite/cable
TV, and telephones.
In addition, there is onsite, a BBQ grill, board games,
computer, copier, desk, fax machine, Internet service, library, piano, VCR,
washer/dryer and a wet bar, outdoor hot tub, gazebo, electronic dart board,
pool table, cribbage and chess.
A full country breakfast is a refreshing eye-opener and
is included with the room rate, served in the breakfast/dining area.
Complimentary soft drinks and water are always
available in the fridge near the outdoor balcony. Afternoon tea and light
snacks are also provided.
No matter the time of year, romance is always in season
at the Wildflowers Inn. The B&B even offers a special romance package where
the lucky couple is treated to a dinner and champagne in your suite. Denise
and Dave can also arrange a sleigh ride where you can cuddle up and enjoy a
winter’s moon.
Since acquiring the B&B, Denise indicated that there
have been 5 honeymoon couples that have enjoyed their warm hospitality.
One was a couple that kept everyone in the dark about
their elopement. The hosts learned about the marriage in the journal that is
left in their guests’ rooms eliciting comments and suggestions.
Denise exclaimed: “they were a sweet young couple whose
own family did not know that they just eloped. It brought tears to my eyes!
Had I’d known, we would have done something special for them, like breakfast
in bed, arrange for a romantic dinner out, get them a nice bouquet for their
room with a card of congrats-something!!”
What makes this B&B so special and remarkable is what
lies beyond it.
Small villages and big mountains are everywhere to be
seen.
There is so much to do-usually the challenge is finding
enough time to fit it all in.
AREAS ATTRACTIONS
Just minutes away from the inn, and a definite must, is
a visit to the first man-made tourist attraction in the USA, the
Mt.Washington Auto Road. Sometimes described as “the road to the sky,”
it is over 142 years old, and can boast of having the first mountain
climbing
Cog Railway.
Another great attraction is the
Conway Scenic Railway where you will travel back in time.
The inn is within easy reach to Alpine or Nordic
skiing, hiking, kayaking, mountain climbing, swimming, horseback riding,
golf, snow-shoeing, snowmobiling, or just having a mesmerizing experience
watching the world go by from the gazebo at the back of the property with a
spectacular view of Mount Washington.
ROMANTIC DINING EXPERIENCES
To top the day off, romantic dining pleasures span an
impressive line-up, and are within a short distance from Wildflowers Inn.
The 1785 Inn located steps away from Wildflowers Inn provides the ideal
spot for a candlelight romantic tête-à-tête. Their menu ranks among the
finest in the area.
From the moment you step into the dinning room until
the moment you leave, you will be pampered with outstanding service and
treated to exquisite romantic dining.
Owners of 1785 Inn, Charlie and Becky Mallar, take
immense pride in the service, hospitality and the quality of the
restaurant’s various dishes that range from raspberry duckling, sherried
rabbit, veal and lobster, rack of lamb to veal and shrimp.
A word of caution, leave enough room to savor the mouth
watering handmade desserts created under the direction of Becky.
It is no wonder it has consistently received such
coveted awards such as the Golden Fork Award for 1996 through 2002, the Wine
Spectator's "Award of Excellence" for 1986 through 2002, and the Gourmet
Diners Society award.
Another great choice is
Notchland Inn about 20 minutes from the Wildflowers Inn in the smallest
town in New Hampshire, Hart’s Location.
The dining facilities are located within an 1860’s
granite mansion on 100’s acres of incredible mountain panoramic views of
Mount Crawford and Hope.
Adorning the walls of the restaurant are the
watercolors of the Frankenstein brothers, who were members of the
Hudson River School.
Each evening at 7 P.M. the inn features a creative one
sitting 5-course dinner that feels as if you are attending an intimate
private dinner party rather than a traditional restaurant.
Guests are seated at individual tables in a romantic
fire placed dining room overlooking the magnificent gardens and ponds.
The chef creates new menus each day wherein you have a
choice of 2 soups, 2 appetizers, 3 entrées, salad and 3 desserts. There is
also an excellent choice of wines and beers.
Lily and I sampled the Polynesian Salmon and in one
word we both agreed it was unbelievably scrumptious.
Other choices included Marsala pork medallions and
apple mustard chicken.
The dessert-well when you have to choose among
bittersweet chocolate waffle, strawberry and plum sorbets or espresso pot de
crème-what can you say.
Additional Information
Wildflowers Inn
New Hampshire
Tel: 603-356-7567
1-866-945-3357
Email:
info@wildflowersinn.com
The 1785 Inn
North Conway, NH
Tel: 800-421-1785
603-356-9025
Fax: 603-356-6081
Email:
the1785inn@aol.com
Notchland Inn
Hart’s Location, NH
Tel: 603-374-6168
800-866-6131
Fax: 603-374-6168
Email:
Innkeepers@notchland.com
Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor's Bureau
North Conway, NH
Tel: 800-367-3364
603-356-5701
Email:
visitor@mtwashingtonvalley.org
Norm and Lily Azerad-Goldman are a unique husband and
wife team, writer and water colorist, who write and paint about romantic
destinations.
Basically, they meld art and words in order to create
an unusual travel story, which generates interest, particularly because of
the fact that each painting appears to have been ‘custom-made’ for the
story-original story and original art.
They can be contacted at:
l.goldman@sympatico.ca
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