Rich with New Hampshire history, the BALSAMS first opened just after the Civil War as the DIX HOUSE – a rustic and charming 25-room summer inn established by local innkeeper, George Parsons. The original inn honored the name of the town's founding father and first landowner, Colonel Timothy Dix. A patriot of the American Revolution, Dix lost his life in battle in 1812, at which point his attorney and business partner, Daniel Webster, took over. Webster sponsored the town's first settlers, the Whittemore family. These hardy pioneers shared their hearth and home with wayfarers on the old Coös Trail through Dixville Notch. Weary travelers were refreshed by the Whittemore's home-style hospitality, and the generous family-style accommodation of overnight guests evolved naturally into a more sophisticated destination resort.
In 1895, a wealthy Philadelphia inventor and industrialist by the name of Henry S. Hale purchased the DIX HOUSE (where he had been a long-time summer guest) and renamed it The BALSAMS. Hale's creative spirit was prolific, and he steadily expanded and enhanced the resort's facilities and accommodations. By 1918, Hale realized his final vision for The BALSAMS with the completion of the Hampshire House – still known today as “the new wing.” This elegant addition effectively doubled the resort’s space to the current capacity of 400 guests.
The Balsams has been recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of America's treasured historic hotels. Since 1866, the resort has had only six owners.
First in the Nation
In 1952, New Hampshire first provided its residents with the opportunity to vote in Presidential primaries. In these early elections, many small towns around the state competed to get their votes in first. But ever since Dixville Notch was granted the privilege of being a voting community in 1960, it has continuously maintained the honor of being “First in the Nation” to report its results of the Presidential election.
In order to maintain this honorary status, every single registered voter in Dixville Notch must turn out and vote. Just before midnight the day before the election, these voters come to The BALSAMS and take a headcount to ensure everyone is present. When the polls officially open at the strike of midnight, each voter heads to a booth in the Ballot Room and casts his or her vote. The entire process takes about a minute.
The Ballot Room
See for yourself the celebrated site in Dixville Notch where the town's first in the nation voters cast their ballots at midnight. The walls of this historic room bear testimony with captioned photographs and other displays of all the dignitaries and candidates who have visited since 1960.
