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Historic Butternut Cottage - First home of actress Bette Davis in Sugar Hill, NH

Photo gallery for Historic Butternut Cottage - First home of actress Bette Davis in Sugar Hill, NH

View of the Butternut Cottage as you arrive.
View of front of house.
Flower box in front of barn guest rooms.
Petunias in Flower Box.
View of left side of house with garden in front.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8269.4 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Hot tub
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Sugar Hill, NH
  • Sugar Hill Sampler
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Franconia Notch State Park
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Cannon Mountain Ski Area
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Whitefield, NH (HIE-Mount Washington Regional)
    ‪35 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Downstairs Guest Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Downstairs Guest Room 1

1 Queen Bed

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

Twin Bedroom

2 Single Beds

2 bathrooms

Downstairs Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo

Upstairs Master Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Historic Butternut Cottage - First home of actress Bette Davis in Sugar Hill, NH

This house was originally a farmhouse that is rumored to have burned down. Robert Peckett III informed me his grandfather was living in the formerly small cottage when he sold it to the actress Bette Davis during one of her visits to Sugar Hill. Bette made several additions and modifications to the house. Most notably, she added a barn and two guest rooms, a garage, and a front screened in porch. The house features hand-crafted kitchen cabinets and counter top, four decorative fireplaces, one fireplace with a propane stove, and a working wood stove. The screened-in front porch has plenty of outdoor furniture to relax on lazy summer days and evenings. A side stone terrace features Adirondack chairs for you to enjoy Bette's garden and sundial. The wood-paneled upstairs bedrooms have built-in vanities and bookshelves rumored to have been handcrafted by the Warner Brothers studio crews. The master bedroom also has a non-working fireplace and panels behind the door believed to be hiding places for Bette's liquor. The newly remodeled downstairs bath features a slipper tub that invites you to soak sore muscles after a day of strolling around the White Mountains or skiing at Cannon Mountain and the Mittersill Alpine Resort. The cozy downstairs barn bedrooms have easy access to this bath and feature paneled walls and decorative non-working fireplaces. The main attraction of the house is the barn room, where a lovely collection of photos of Bette's career and life are displayed on the wall surrounding the TV and wood stove. There is a collection of Bette's films in VCR and DVD format for you to enjoy. Enjoy a relaxing evening watching one of Bette's films while watching the logs glow in wood stove.

Property manager

Marion Aldrich

Languages

English, French, Portuguese, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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Butternut front view

Actress Bette Davis' former mountain lodge... spacious, enchanting!

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Outdoor space
9.8 out of 10, (24 reviews)
Actress Bette Davis' former mountain lodge... spacious, enchanting!

House Rules

Check in after 1:30 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Please bring playpens for young children.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed, service animals permitted
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Please follow written instructions for operation of wood and propane stoves found in flowered binder in living room and sent to you electronically.
Please exercise extreme caution going up and down stairs to upstairs bedrooms/bath. Hold banister while going up and down stairs to ensure safety.
Be careful with wood cabinets/surfaces. Rumor has it Bette hired Warner Brothers carpenters to build some of the kitchen cabinetry/upstairs vanities.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Sugar Hill

Located in Sugar Hill, this holiday home is in a rural area and near theme parks. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Franconia Notch State Park and White Mountain National Forest. Travelling with kids? Consider New England Ski Museum and Chutters. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Sugar Hill, NH

What's nearby

  • Gale River - 5 min drive - 3.5 km
  • Sugar Hill Sampler - 8 min drive - 4.9 km
  • Franconia Notch State Park - 10 min drive - 8.2 km
  • Cannon Mountain - 12 min drive - 13.3 km
  • Cannon Mountain Ski Area - 12 min drive - 9.8 km

Getting around

  • Whitefield, NH (HIE-Mount Washington Regional) - 35 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Taste The Thai & Sushi House - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Burger King - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Applebee's Grill + Bar - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Historic Butternut Cottage - First home of actress Bette Davis in Sugar Hill, NH pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

What time is check-in at Historic Butternut Cottage - First home of actress Bette Davis in Sugar Hill, NH?

Check-in begins at 1:30 PM.

What time is check-out at Historic Butternut Cottage - First home of actress Bette Davis in Sugar Hill, NH?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Historic Butternut Cottage - First home of actress Bette Davis in Sugar Hill, NH located?

This family-friendly Sugar Hill holiday home is located in the mountains, within 3 mi (5 km) of Gale River, Sugar Hill Historical Museum and Frost Place. Sunset Hill Golf Course and Sugar Hill Sampler are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 49 out of 52 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 52 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 52 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 52 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 52 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Carol B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Home

We have stayed here before and is one of our favorite places to stay. The history of Butternut Is one of a kind. A wonderful beautiful cozy experience. .
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Peter R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful, Peaceful Retreat

Amazing place in a beautiful location with an excellent host! We would definitely stay there again!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pete M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Sugar Hill Butternut

Amazing week at the Butternut Cottage. Beautiful surroundings and a wonderful place to totally disconnect. Historic home with all the modern updates to make it comfortable. Perfect location to explore the White Mountains and North Country. The owner was very attentive and communicative before and during our stay. The Bette Davis history was the cherry on top of a one of a kind stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Martin M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Special woods retreat

We were delighted by the detail, comfort, and history of the cottage. Every sitting area was interesting, comfortable, and relaxing. The kitchen is superb and could easily support an ambitious meal prep. We enjoyed walking in the neighborhood and taking in the peaceful surroundings of the cottage. Look for to staying again in the summer months!
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Harriet S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful house!

We love the Franconia/Sugar Hill area have stayed in many different rentals, and this was by far the best. So amazing to experience the history of this house and see the beautiful way it has been cared for and restored. It's fun to see a picture of Bette Davis sitting right on the hearth in the living room! We spent some cozy nights by the wood stove watching her movies too. We had one minor issue with the house, and Marion could not have been more responsive and helpful. Loved our stay, and hope to be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

William F.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Better than the pictures; incredible updates & reno

One of the most lovingly updated historic properties I have stayed at! The location is beautiful and silent but convenient to 93. The building retains every ounce of its charm, original carpentry and trim while offering responsive, zoned climate control, a high-end chefs stove and hood, powerful water pressure downstairs, and comfortable bedding. Marion is a very responsive host who was helpful throughout minor hitches (like upstairs sheets that the cleaner might’ve overlooked— the only issue in an otherwise spotless, faultlessly clean home). I am a little ashamed to admit as a child of 1992 that I had never even heard of Bette Davis before staying here— I enjoyed learning about her through her old home and would also not hesitate to stay at this property regardless of that added historic value. I look forward to coming back.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Roger G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing part of Hollywood history meets peaceful, North Country New Nee Hampshire beauty

We absolutely loved our stay at Bette Davis’s Butternut Cottage. More than just a cottage, it’s reminiscent of 19th century farmhouse with exposed wood beams in the ceilings and rooms throughout. With 5 fireplaces and 2 wood stoves, rumor has it Warner Bros studio craftsmen built the cabinets throughout the home for Ms Davis. Extremely private, the property is tucked away from the rarely traveled main dirt road and I was able to walk my dog for miles off leash without seeing another soul on many a morning. Sugar Hill and it’s sister community Franconia Village sit at the northern end of Franconia notch just south of the quaint 1950’s style Main Street of Littleton, NH, a must see. The views in the area are the best New Hampshire has to offer. We particularly loved the Bette Davis room where we watched her movies provided by the host on VHS. Nostalgia on all levels while surrounded by 30 photos of magazine covers, historic scenes, wedding photos and more. (There is streaming and an dvd available as well.) Even if I had never heard of Bette Davis I would want to stay in this lovingly cared for property. It is evident the owner has taken pride in restoration and upkeep of the property; no easy task. I would highly recommend a visit here if for only a weekend, a week, or, as in our case, an entire summer season.
Stayed 91 nights in Jun 2023

2/10 Terrible

kathy l.

Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful cottage

Another wonderful stay for me and my family. Thankyou Bette
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Catherine E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent location

This property is spacious, well appointed amenities, & located on a beautiful property. If you are a fan of Bette Davis you will enjoy all the memorabilia and rustic interior.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

David T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Marion, was always available to answer any questions. Her house was beautiful and very well stocked.

Wonderful, Wonderful, Wonderful!!!
Stayed 90 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

kathy l.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect post holiday weekend

From the property to the weather (snow!) ,everything was perfect. Thanks Marion and Bette Davis for this wonderful weekend
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Carol B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Warm and Inviting home

This was our third stay at this wonderful home. Warm and comfortable with plenty of room for just watching TV or reading and playing games. We even experienced the first snowfall of the season. Was magical. Thank you Marion for sharing your wonderful home. Carol B
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Penny A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great experience

We stayed at this wonderful cottage in October and it had everything that we could imagine. The house was very clean and well stocked to cook our nightly dinners. We enjoyed a Bette Davis movie every night along with a campfire in the evening. The area is quiet and peaceful, but still close enough to places to explore. Marian was a wonderful host and we would love to return to this special place in NH.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Bob L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A great house in an amazing area!

I meant to write this a few weeks ago. This is a great historical house that is well maintained with a nice mix of modern amenities. It was exiting to learn about Bette Davis, the house was very comfortable and relaxing. The area is very chill great hiking and nature activities without the traffic and bustle of North Conway. The host was responsive and cared that we had a great time and we did. We will be back
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Donald C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Sugar Hill Treasure

History, a place with a story. Impeccable, well managed, really a perfect spot.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Home

Thank you for a lovely stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jacob S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A wonderful stay: relaxing and historical

A wonderful experience. Not only is the home everything described, but it is so much more. Quiet, secluded, comfortable. The history added so much to the stay, and if you have knowledge of historical New England the artwork, heirlooms, woodwork, decorations and nearly every piece of furniture is something to take a long look of appreciation. It's far enough away to feel away, but close enough to access services and enjoy the whites. Our children loved the home and experience and we were sad to go. Hope to come back in the future. A tip for future guests: go to the market nearby. They have everything you need and the prices are better/same for meats and vegetables. Save the drive time.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Len O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A wonderful place for a summer sojourn.

My wife and I, and our family, will always have pleasant memories of our summer visit to the Butternut Cottage. The two of us stayed for an entire month while, over that time, our son, his wife and assorted family members and friends joined us for two and three day stays. It was a wonderful place for the two of us to spend the twilight after a long hike sipping wine in the screened-in porch or, when we had guests, for a pleasant get together with loved ones. The kitchen was well equipped for both simple and more complex cooking. Each of the rooms had its own charm. Within a day or two we felt quite at home. We really appreciate the effort Marion has put into making the place welcoming and accommodating.
Stayed 29 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

John T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Magical!

A must stay if you are a fan of Bette Davis! You can almost feel her presence as you enjoy your time in this lovely home. So peaceful and quiet. We loved having our morning coffee on the screened in porch, just listening to the birds chirping. Although it rained for most of our stay, there are plenty of movies, books and games to pass the time away. We will definitely go back!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

James C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect house-perfect location!

We've rented from VRBO over 25 times. So, from experience, we can say this place is GREAT! Marion is excellent with all communications. You can tell she really loves this house. We stayed two months and hated to leave. The house is charming and peaceful. The pictures are accurate and the front living room is an inviting place to relax and just look outside! Plus, the Bette Davis connection and history of the house makes this rental even more special. It is rural but an easy drive in every direction, and the views around Sugar Hill are breathtaking! Would definitely rent again.
Stayed 59 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Amy R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Sweet Sugar Hill

This is the 3rd time our family has stayed here and we think it's our home away from home. We LOVE it, the area, and all of the great things that we discover when we are there. We'll be back soon!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Carol B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A wonderful home

We had a wonderful time at Butternut Cottage. This was our second time here. It is an amazing home especially the memorabilia of Bette Davis. Our friends joined us this time and they were equally captivated by the history. We hope to return again in the future.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Escape

Absolutely beautiful property and the history is amazing!! Loved staying here. The house was incredibly clean and Marion was very responsive to any questions we had. Looking forward to a return visit!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Heidi M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Another lovely stay

We came back after a wonderful stay this summer and had another peaceful respite. A wonderful location, a wonderful time of year to enjoy the cottage. Beautiful foliage and a flock of turkeys greeted us each day. Can't wait to come again in different season!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Kate B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Butternut Cottage lived up to my high expectations!

Butternut was built by Bette Davis—a woman I have admired since I read her autobiography This n’ That when I was 17. Having the opportunity spend a few days in her home was a dream come true. Marion has created a wonderful shrine to Ms Davis in the “barn” and the entire house is in the way Ms Davis would have preferred it, colonial antiques tastefully displayed with a warm and homey vibe from the fireplaces. The screened in porch was perfect for peaceful meditation overlooking the forest in all its splendor. The kitchen is well stocked with pretty much anything you might want to cook and immediately felt like home. Super clean, great communication with Marion, who was very accommodating with a last minute special request. Thank you Marion and Butternut for a restful five days. I left feeling more energized and inspired. Hope to return, perhaps next time for an extended stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2020

About the host

Hosted by Marion Aldrich

Host profile image
I first visited the White Mountains of New Hampshire in the Summer of 1970 as a camper at the Ogontz White Mountain Camp. I fell in love with the beautiful Ogontz Lake surrounded by its idyllic hills. As a camper, I went hiking on Mount Moosilauke and climbed Mount Lafayette twice. I loved eating the freshly made pancakes topped with maple butter, syrup, and sugar at Polly's Pancake Parlor. Besides having an excuse to eat pancakes and hike around the area while I visit the house, I love hosting this house because of the guests and the wonderful experiences they share in the guest book located in the living room.

Why they chose this property

During a summer reunion in 2008, I spoke to another former Ogontz camper who had moved back to the area. I considered buying a house with a small apartment attached so I could rent the house out and stay in the apartment. In October 2008, I traveled up to Franconia to see a few houses that fit my criteria. The realtor informed me that a house owned by the actress Bette Davis had just dropped in price (remember the 2008 real estate crash?) and was within my price range. All I could remember about Ms. Davis at that moment was the scene in "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" where she uncovers a serving dish to reveal a dead rat for Joan Crawford's supper. The realtor, an Ogontz Camp friend, and I went off to see this renowned house formerly owned by Bette Davis. When I approached the front of the house, I felt a strange feeling of stepping into the past. I thought the front screened porch was curious as I climbed the small steps to the front door. As I strolled through the mud room, kitchen and rest of this hand crafted house, I grew fascinated by the wide floor planks and wood beams, hand crafted built-in vanities, kitchen cabinets, and wood-paneled walls. I was admiring the photographs of Bette's career and life in the barn room when I turned to my friend and said, "I think we are done looking at houses for the day." It took me several years to insulate the walls, basement, and crawl spaces, install a geothermal heating and cooling system, install a generator (no more power outages!) and add other updates while respecting the original structure and spirit of the house.

What makes this property unique

The house was rebuilt and renovated by Bette Davis during her early years in Hollywood as an escape from the stress of making one movie after the next under her contract with the Warner Brothers Studio. It has been written that she employed some of the Warner carpenters to panel the interior of the upstairs bedrooms and craft the built-in vanities and mirrors. I discovered she employed local architects as well to attach a barn to the house, which is the current barn room. The house changed hands a few times after Bette sold it, and the owners before me found the house abandoned with raccoons living in the attic. They collected books, photographs, posters, and other memorabilia of Bette's life and displayed these in the barn room. I have added a few more photographs/memorabilia and some of my guests have graciously added to the collection. There is one plaque left by a guest that states "Old age ain't for sissies!" in the barn room. The house is surrounded by quiet woods with a view of the Bette's stable house to the east and Bette's second house to the southwest, The Butternut Lodge. The barn room looks out over peaceful woods and during the winter, snow drifts form upon the glass doors. The Vermont Castings wood stove warms up the barn room and two front bedrooms during the coldest winter nights. There is always a generous stack of kiln dried wood in the garage to keep the stove hot and the barn room and house cozy for movies, board games, or just relaxing on a winter's day.

Languages:

English, French, Spanish, Portuguese
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