Overlooking the Dartmouth Green, the Hanover Inn Dartmouth stands as a living landmark on the campus of one of America’s oldest colleges. With roots reaching back to 1780, the Inn has witnessed—and mirrored—over two centuries of evolution in Hanover, New Hampshire.
The story begins with General Ebenezer Brewster, who came to Hanover in 1778 to serve as Dartmouth’s steward. In 1780, he converted his residence into a tavern—an enterprising move that launched what would become the oldest continuously operating business in the state. By 1813, his son Amos relocated the original structure and built a larger, more ambitious building: the Dartmouth Hotel, which opened the following year.
Through the 19th century, the hotel served an eclectic mix of travelers, townspeople, and prominent visitors. Its location and growing reputation made it a central part of Hanover’s civic life. But by the late 1800s, the building had become a hodgepodge of expansions and styles—an architectural patchwork that was both admired and criticized.
Then, in the early morning hours of January 4, 1887, fire swept through the property, destroying the hotel and neighboring buildings. Dartmouth College responded swiftly. By 1889, a new hotel—the Wheelock—had risen on the site, though its early years were marked by structural issues and management turnover.
In 1901, the college stepped in once more to rebuild and modernize the hotel. After a full renovation, it reopened in 1903 as the Hanover Inn. From there, the property entered a new era of stability and growth. One of its most notable expansions came in 1924, when a five-story east wing was added—featuring 48 new rooms, each with a private bath—and a dining room large enough to host 300 guests. The Hanover Inn continued to evolve through the decades. The 1930s saw the addition of a garden and outdoor dining terrace.
In 1968 the hotel was transformed, along with the rest of the block on Wheelock Street (including the Hopkins Center for the Arts) with a remodeling of its historic west wing to match the neo-georgian of the 1920s wing.
Another major transformation came in 2011–2012 with a $43 million renovation. The project introduced the Hayward Ballroom, the Minary Conference Center, and the PINE restaurant—ushering the Inn into a new chapter as a Four Diamond boutique hotel with modern amenities and timeless appeal.
For over two centuries, the Hanover Inn has stood at the heart of campus and community—offering a warm welcome to generations of guests while preserving the spirit of its remarkable past.