Our Story

THE ORIGINAL RESTAURANT

The Woodshed story begins in the mid-’70s, when a nineteenth-century farmhouse and barn at 128 Lee Road was converted into a cozy restaurant nestled in the Moultonborough countryside. At first, dinner was only served in the front rooms and the ell of the farmhouse, but shortly thereafter, the attached barn was converted into the main dining room of the restaurant. The barn quickly became the centerpiece of the restaurant. For decades, Lyn Seley and Bob Fee offered an exceptional dining experience with great food, wonderful service, and a welcoming environment. The Woodshed was loved and cherished by thousands of Lakes Region families and visitors to nearby Lake Winnipesaukee and Squam Lake.

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

On November 28, 2013, the Woodshed tragically burned to the ground, a loss that devastated the community. Among those affected deeply was longtime seasonal resident Arnold Haynes because the Woodshed had been a very special place for Arnold and his wife, Carol. After learning that the owners were not going to reconstruct the restaurant, Arnold – who isn’t one to shy away from a challenge – made it his mission to build a new restaurant that would carry forward the tradition of a place that had provided many fond memories for his family and for many others in the Lakes Region community.

Knowing it would be impossible to replicate the original Woodshed with this new restaurant, Arnold sought to create a similar interior feel and fine-dining experience in a redesigned farmhouse and barn named “The New Woodshed.”

THE NEW WOODSHED

The first step was to find an old barn for the former Woodshed site. Thanks to the help of local resident Steve Coombs of Coombs Historic Restoration, a 200-year-old barn from Strafford, New Hampshire, was dismantled, restored, and reconstructed at 128 Lee Road. Construction started in November 2014, less than one year after the fire. Once the circa 1820 barn was erected, an attached farmhouse was built to house the pub, the porch, and the kitchen.

The new “old barn” is the heart of The New Woodshed. It is an impressive post-and-beam structure, featuring original hand-hewn beams and joints, evoking an atmosphere that makes you feel like you’ve come home to a familiar place.

Our hope is that The New Woodshed will bring back fond memories and will give the community a wonderful place for family gatherings, special occasions, and a pleasant night out for many years to come. Its creation has truly been a labor of love for Arnold. Now, we are putting all of our efforts in providing that rare combination of excellence in food, service, and atmosphere that makes your evening with us a long-remembered pleasure.

We hope that you will enjoy dining with us at The New Woodshed.
Greg Branzetti, General Manager