Originally called The Elms, The Highlander Inn began in the late 1800’s as a humble boarding house for the Devonshire Mills in Manchester, NH. Emma Coldwell ran the operation and her husband, Sam, was a teamster for the mill. In 1901, when the city of Manchester installed streetcars from downtown to the nearby Pine Island Amusement Park, Emma and Sam’s business really prospered.
Archie Coldwell joined his parents business after graduating from Massachusetts School of Pharmacy. Not content to be a pharmacist, he convinced Emma to advertise for summer boarders. With that simple idea, the Elms became a full-fledged resort and Mecca for Boston politicians and city workers. The Winter Carnivals were introduced to the area in 1920 with the Elms Pavilion hosting the annual event which included a Nordic ski jump, cross country trails, and the legendary toboggan run.
The great flood of 1931 severely damaged the original Elms Resort, but with steadfast determination and Yankee grit, The Elms was rebuilt into a 27 room New England Inn at the current location of the Elms Conference Center. Along with this opening in 1937, came dining and dancing with The Elms Dance Band, and game room downstairs.
The onset of WWII brought the property a new neighbor, Grenier Airpark. This was hastily constructed as a deployment center for our rapidly growing military effort. Despite the addition of the airpark the property retained its resort atmosphere.
By the 1960’s, The Elms was established as one of New England’s top resorts. During this period an alpine ski lift and three-hole golf course were added. Barbecues and Friday night dances were a weekly occurrence and the Elms reputation grew among the Manchester locals and the Boston swells. The property prospered for many years under Archie’s son, Harry, and his wife, Alice. Homes were built on the property for family members including Harry, Archie, and Nina. Eventually an outdoor pool, softball field, and equestrian trails were added.
The Elms fortunes took an abrupt turn in 1982 when a fire destroyed the main building. Rebuilt and reopened in 1983, The Elms offered only dining.
Another major change was in store for the property. Harry and Alice Coldwell decided to retire. In 1984, The Elms was bought by a group from Scotland and a new phase in its history began. The Elms became The Highlander Inn.
Manchester had established itself as a financial Center in Northern New England and, as a result, business travelers began to flood the airport looking for convenient accommodations. The new Inn opened in June of 1987. Designed to feel more like a country Inn than a standard corporate hotel, The Inn prides itself on giving its guests the feeling of home.
The Elms Conference Center was reopened in 1991, with five function rooms and a beautiful new perennial garden in the front of the building, and an herb garden for its chefs.
Ownership changed again in 1988, but The Highlander Inn name and its hospitality have only improved. As the new airport facility opened on New Year’s Eve in 1994, the Park & Fly service grew to fill yet another need for our guests. In mid-1999, our new Bed and Breakfast, with 22 newly renovated and beautifully decorated rooms was opened. The site is the 1931 structure where the Coldwells first provided guests a relaxed and charming place to rest and replenish their souls. Please enjoy the heritage of a facility that has been accommodating discerning guests since 1885.
