Soo Nipi Lodge is located on an historic Newport, NH property. The eight room colonial house was built in 1767 by one of Newport's founding families, the Buells. It was licensed as a NH tavern in 1793, and is an excellent example of colonial architecture.

The 75 foot long cow barn was built circa 1860, and was the hub of a productive 450 acre dairy farm until the 1960's.

Today the barn has a new purpose and a new life. The property was purchased by the Scales family in 1993 for the purpose of renovating the barn into a lodge for guests. Architect Christopher Scales, AIA, has created an expansive comfortable space amidst the original post and beam structure.

When they first saw the barn it was clear to the Scalses that the original structure was sturdy, but 135 years of constant use by animals and farmers had taken its toll. Demolition of rotted walls, ceilings and floors began.

The posts and beams were then pulled closer together with come-alongs, fastened with steel plates and power washed to reveal their original beauty. Some posts are polished to a sheen by the cows constantly rubbing against them.

The lower supporting level of the barn needed total restabilization as each post had, for all those years, merely sat on bricks and a rock.

Reinforced gunite was forced into the foundation. New footings, posts and microlam beams were installed. Finally the barn was stabilized and reconstruction began.

The Future Bedrooms



The Future Sunroom

The Lodge (we sometimes still refer to it as "the Barn") now has spacious common areas with 15 foot high ceilings and panoramic views of pastures, hills and Mt Sunapee rising in the southeast. Since the architect was sensitive to keeping the building in its historical context, old siding was used on the north and east sides of the building, which are visible from the street. As you approach, therefore, the building still looks like a large, very old barn.

A unique feature of Soo Nipi Lodge is the well-equipped kitchen intended for guests to use and designed for many people to cook at a time. What a joy to see a family preparing a meal together (even non-cooks get to participate) and then sitting all together at the table as they may have done many years before.

Some say the sunroom is the best room in the house. Floor to ceiling windows frame an awe-inspiring mountain view creating a feeling of serenity.

Bedrooms are diversely furnished, each with its own private bath, and of course, all linens are provided.

This charming building is equipped with all the amenities of a modern facility, including air conditioning, without losing its identity.

People now thrive where cows once did. The Scales family is pleased to insure the most enjoyable stay for their guests at Soo Nipi Lodge. And it's yours, for a few hours, a weekend or a week...for it will be a long time before those cows come home again.