HISTORY
Riverwood’s story is deeply intertwined with the history of Jackson itself.
Originally known as New Madbury, Jackson emerged during the nineteenth century as one of New England’s earliest mountain resort communities. Artists, writers, adventurers, and families traveled here seeking fresh mountain air, spectacular scenery, and the warm hospitality that continues to define the village today. The iconic Jackson Covered Bridge, completed in 1876, remains one of New Hampshire’s most enduring symbols and serves as a reminder of the town’s rich heritage.
Riverwood traces its beginnings to that same remarkable era. Built during the 1880s as part of the historic Hawthorne Inn, the original building served as housing for the inn’s staff and workers, supporting one of Jackson’s grand destination hotels during the golden age of White Mountain tourism. Although the Hawthorne Inn was lost to fire in the 1970s, this building survived, preserving an important piece of Jackson’s history for future generations.
For many years following the fire, the property’s lower riverside terrace became home to horses. Today, while the paddock fences are gone, the open landscape and gentle contours of the terrace still reflect that chapter of Riverwood’s past. As you make your way toward the Confluence Trail, you’ll cross the very ground where horses once grazed before the trail winds gracefully around the meeting of the Wildcat and Ellis Rivers. It is a beautiful reminder that the property’s history hasn’t been erased, it has simply evolved. Even the gazebo continues to celebrate those years with its distinctive galloping horse weathervane.
Many of the property’s original structures have been thoughtfully preserved and adapted over time. The Carriage House once sheltered horse-drawn carriages and stored hay. Today its guest accommodations overlook both the confluence of the rivers and the tenth tee of the historic Wentworth Golf Club. The Yellow Barn, once the stable, now serves as secure ski and outdoor gear storage, while beneath it lies the original root cellar from the Hawthorne Inn, a fascinating reminder of nineteenth-century mountain life.
Throughout the property, history quietly reveals itself. Across Main Street stands the former Town Barn, once part of the original Hawthorne estate. Near the entrance rests Jackson’s historic horse trough and the Kathleen Wormly memorial, both cherished pieces of the village’s heritage. The gazebo, originally perched atop the nearby pine knoll, and the charming Gatehouse whose original purpose remains something of a mystery continue to invite curiosity more than a century after they were built.
Today, Riverwood begins its next chapter. Thoughtfully restored and carefully reimagined, the property honors its remarkable past while embracing a new generation of travelers seeking authentic experiences, meaningful connection, and the timeless beauty of the White Mountains.
For well over a century, travelers have found adventure, rest, and renewal in this remarkable corner of the White Mountains. We invite you to continue that tradition and begin your own Riverwood story.