The Farmstand

Through The Years

Historical 1906 photograph of a snow-covered Chocorua Village, NH, showing the local heritage surrounding The Farmstand B&B.

Chocorua Village in 1906,

Looking across the bridge. The Farmstand is the one-story building on the left!

1851

The home was originally established in 1851, when a blacksmith shop in Tamworth was set on rollers and pulled by oxen over Page Hill Rd to Chocorua Village, where it became the home of David Hobbs and his wife, Elvira. Both resided here all their married lives and are buried in Chocorua Cemetery. Childless, David & Elvira adopted Nellie Lane after her family was burned out of their home in Albany.

Nellie and Bert Fortier, previous owners of the property, standing outside the historic farmhouse in Chocorua, New Hampshire.

Nellie and Bert Fortier

1920

Nellie married the Hobbs’ hired man, Albert Fortier, a French-Canadian. Nellie & Bert had 11 children: 2 girls, 9 boys. They added the second floor to the home in the 1920's. Seven of their boys served in WWII (all returned home safely), which brought the family many accolades and recognition, and Nellie was honored by christening the Submarine Batfish in Kittery in May of 1943. The submarine saw action in both WWII and Korea, and is now part of a floating museum in Muskogee OK, on the Arkansas River.

Vintage 1926 black and white photo of Martin and Bill Fortier, part of the deep-rooted history of The Farmstand property.

Martin and Bill Fortier, circa 1926

A black-and-white photo of eleven men outdoors, some standing and some sitting, in front of trees and a house porch. The men are dressed in casual shirts and pants, and are smiling at the camera.

Bert and the nine Fortier Brothers next to the porch

1978 - 2015

Family photo of four people outdoors with a dog and a soccer ball, standing on grass in front of a house with plants and trees.

The Dyrenforths called this home from 1978 through 2015 and ran several cottage industries during their almost four decades here. The Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast opened in 1979 as well as the beginning of the maple syrup business, The Farmhouse Sugarbush. Organic gardens and the heirloom apple orchard were established their first summer here. Vegetables, fruits, flowers, and apple cider were produced and made available to the public at The Farmstand.

Now

A smiling elderly man and woman standing together in front of a green door, outside a white wooden house, with a lantern and a bell on the wall.

The Packards become only the third family in residence here, and have reestablished the B & B, and are continuing to operate the farm stand, expanding on its offerings to include fresh baked goods, jams, flavored vinegars and other house-made items. They are also pressing cider in the fall, producing over 200 gallons each year. The barn, built in the mid 1800's and restored by the Dyrenforths in 2008, is being used seasonally for special events, small weddings, and a summer concert series.