Welcome to the Gurney Cottage
The Gurney cottage was built in 1929 by our grandfather, Chester Gurney, a master carpenter. Nestled among tall, fragrant pines and hemlocks, it is a sturdy, wood frame, summer cabin that reflects the craftsmanship from an earlier time.
The back door enters into a roomy kitchen. A swinging door separates the kitchen from the living room. At one end of the open concept living room is the dining area, with a large oak table that seats 6 comfortably. At the far end of the living room is the sleeping alcove. It has 2 twin beds, a dresser and a closet. The TV in the living room has satellite service and a VCR/DVD. We added WIFI in 2012. In addition to the large, wood burning fireplace, we have an efficient propane heater for extra warmth on chilly nights.
The cozy master bedroom has a queen sized bed, dresser, and closet.
The bathroom has a sink, toilet and shower.
The front door opens onto a spacious porch that overlooks the view of the lake. Walking down toward the lake, you will see the guest house off to the right. It is set close to the water amidst shoreline trees and shrubs. There is nothing in the world like falling asleep listening to the gentle lapping of the waves on the shore. The guest house has a double bed, a twin bed and a dresser.
Our beach has an attached dock and a floating dock. At the beach you can swim, fish, launch the rowboat, canoe or your kayak, or just relax and gaze out at the pristine lake before you. Be sure to watch for loons and our bald eagle family that has nested at the lake for several years.
In 2012, a movie was filmed at the cottage. For a couple glimpses of the cottage, click here: 3 Days of Normal
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For more information about the cottage, please click on the tabs on the left.
For more information about the lake continue below.
About Lake Nubanusit
Nubanusit Lake is a rocky shoreline, stream fed lake in southwestern New Hampshire. It is located in the towns of Hancock and Nelson. It is 715 acres in area and 3.7 miles from end to end. Its average depth is 40 feet and its maximum depth is 97 feet. The water enters from Spoonwood Pond and exits through the Nubanusit Dam into Nubanusit Brook, a tributary of the Contoocook River in the Merrimack River drainage basin.
About 67% of Nubanusit's shore is conservation land. Spoonwood Pond's shoreline is 100% conservation land. Directly across the lake from our cabin is the Louis Cabot Preserve, locally known as “Cabot Island” or “The Island”, although it is actually a peninsula. Cabot Island is owned by Keene State College and is a nature preserve.
Thanks, in great part, to the Harris Center for Conservation Education (www.harriscenter.org) which created the supersanctuary of protected lands in the region, our shoreline has been protected from large-scale development. The lake has thus remained one of the cleanest, clearest lakes in the state.
Because of its depth and clarity, Nubanusit has long been a favorite lake for fishing. Although power boats and water skiing are allowed on the lake, jet skiis are banned, so the lake has also become a destination for sailors, canoeists and kayakers.
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For more information about the area continue below.
In and Around Hancock, NH
The historic Town of Hancock was first settled in 1764 and was incorporated in 1779. It was named in honor of John Hancock. The population is 1,654 (2010 census).
Almost every building on Main Street in downtown Hancock is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Hancock Meeting House, a combination meeting house and Congregational Church, is the centerpiece of the historic district. It was built in 1820, and it is described in the National Register as “one of the best Federal style churches in New Hampshire”. It is famous for its Christopher Wren steeple and Paul Revere bell. The Hancock Town Library and Historical Society are some of the other historic buildings open to the public.
The town offers many other amenities such as the Hancock Market, a charming old-fashioned style general store, Fiddleheads Cafe, a gourmet sandwich shop and catering business, and The Hancock Inn, the state's oldest original inn still in operation. There are also many antique shops to be found around town. The Farmer's Market is held in the stalls behind the Hancock Meeting House every Saturday morning throughout the summer and is not to be missed!
Norway Pond, the town swimming pond, is located at one end of Main Street. On the outskirts of town is Skatutakee Mountain, the highest point in Hancock, elevation 2002 feet. Climbing Skatutakee is a refreshing 3 mile round-trip hike. Near the top, wild blueberries abound when in season, and at the top there are wonderful vistas of the surrounding countryside.
Hancock Old Home Days is a memorable celebration every year in August. It includes a parade, road race, games for the kids, rummage sale, art exhibit, concert, ice cream social, pancake breakfast, and the best outdoor chicken barbeque dinner you've ever been to! Hancock is a vibrant town steeped in New England traditions.
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The Monadnock Region
There are far too many landmarks, outdoor activities and cultural events in the Monadnock Region to list here, so here is just a sampling of some of our favorites:
Mount Monadnock is a 3,165 foot mountain located in Jaffrey and Dublin. It has 40 miles of maintained foot trails and is the most frequently climbed mountain in North America.
Pack Monadnock in Miller State Park, Peterborough, is a gentler climb than “Grand Monadnock”. It also has an auto road to the summit, where there are picnic tables.
Bald Mountain in Antrim and Hancock is a 2.2 mile hike with a view of Mount Monadnock from the top. It borders Willard Pond to the east and is part of a wildlife sanctuary.
Wild blueberries can be found in season on Mt. Skatutakee (Hancock) and on Pitcher Mountain (Stoddard). Pitcher Mountain charges a small fee, but has expansive blueberry fields.
Cultivated blueberies make for very easy picking (good activity for young children) and are available at several local farms.
Covered bridge on Hancock-Greenfield Road, and many others in the region.
Cathedral of the Pines – Rindge
Arts Alive! - Keene
Colonial Theater – Keene
Hannah Grimes Marketplace – Keene
Friendly Farm – Dublin
Peterborough Diner – Peterborough
Peterborough Players – Peterborough
Monadnock Music – Peterborough
Rhododendron State Park – Fitzwilliam
Sharon Arts Center - Sharon
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