Welcome to Mystery Farm, a wonderful upscale homestead located in the small, yet accessible, community of Lyndeborough. The farm sits in the V of two country lanes, one paved leading out to the main roads for the commuter and one gravel for walking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The layout of its 21 acres gives it long, protective road frontage assuring you that the setting will remain the same. It has been a signature home in Lyndeborough for many decades.
The house is lovely and features many period details, dating back to its construction by Dr. Israel Herrick in 1823. The property was eventually sold to Herman Walker who in 1898 constructed the barn. To this day, the property is known in the town’s history books as the Herman A. Walker place. There are 7 fireplaces, heart pine floors, four panel doors with thumblatches, and front and back staircases. With 10 rooms in the “main” house, the floor plan is lovely with more formal rooms across the front, the keeping room across the rear and the ell nicely adapted for today’s lifestyle. The keeping room has one of the original fireplaces in it (with a new Jotul stove inserted) complete with an intact beehive oven. A talented carpenter created a wonderful country kitchen on one end. Handmade cabinetry capped in soapstone, an apron sink, stainless appliances including a wine fridge and a 6-burner Bertazzoni gas range, and is open to the rest of the room allowing the cook to chat during meal prep.
At some point, a smart addition was added to the west side of the first floor that changed the original 4 over 4 floor plan that increased the size of the current living room and created very pleasant 1st floor en suite bedroom. This change makes the home perfect for empty-nesters, or au pair quarters. Other rooms on the first floor include the family room/library, office, ¾ bath and big laundry/utility room.
Upstairs, accessed by two original staircases, features two front bedrooms, each with a fireplace, a northwest corner bedroom with views over the fields, a sitting room and a full bath. There is walk-in access to a huge attic over the ell here and a staircase to the main house attic.
The connecting structures include a 3 car garage where the carriage sheds once stood, a utility room and the barn beyond. Behind the garage, find recent in-law or caretaker quarters, modern and charming. There is an applianced kitchen/living room with sliders to a wonderful wraparound deck, a bedroom and ¾ bath. It has its own septic system and share’s the barn’s well – separate from the house.
The house is protected by a 30KW standby generator that keeps the house humming along in the event of a power outage.
And the barn, what can we say? The main level is insulated and has heat if you need it. The building was rebuilt from the ground up c. 2009, and a separate well and electrical entrance was added. There are 3 double-deep bays w/auto openers on the ground level. Store vintage vehicles, carriages and farm equipment here. An insulated and heated utility room was constructed in one corner and houses the plumbing, pressure tank and 30 gallon electric hot water heater for the barn.
The main level has 4” double planked flooring, the loft floor was rebuilt and the sliding front and rear doors are like new. The equine amenities are stunning with 4 boxstalls constructed from high-end Kentucky stall components. With yoked stall fronts, brass finials and hardware, the fussiest horse owner would house there prize-winning horses here. A wash stall was added as was a heated tack room/lounge. A utility area with sink is perfect for grain storage. A 24’ section of the barn stores main level hay and bedding or leaves room for two additional stalls.
The land is lovely and encased in New Hampshire’s attractive stonewalls. About half the land is open and hay is harvested from a portion of it. Enjoy woodlands and a pond, mature plantings and perennial gardens, raised beds and fruit trees, berries and more.
Horse Amenities:
- 40 x 60’ Historic barn with high-end interior finish
- 4 - 11’ x 13’ Boxstalls w/Nelson waterers
- Wash stall w/heat lamps and exhaust fan
- Large, heated lounge w/showcase
- 12’ x 24’ Area for 2 more stalls or main level storage
- Walk-up hayloft
- 65’ x 140’ Outdoor ring
- Some cedar post & rail fencing
