You live in (or love to visit!) New Hampshire, so of course you've heard of Mount Washington. Many of you have probably driven the auto road, if not actually traversed one of the many trails lining the steep slopes of this famed New England mountain. While you've certainly loved the gorgeous photos (and drone footage!) coming from the area, how many of us have actually taken the time to truly explore the top? Those who visit often know that a small house exists at the top of the beloved mountain, but those of you who have only seen second-hand photos might not know this small museum hidden inside even exists. Next time you hike up Mount Washington in New Hampshire, be sure to check out this unique historic house!

The trip to the top of Mount Washington is one that acts as a right of passage for many New Hampshirites.

The views are stunning, no matter the time of year, and the weather science to be learned at the top can't be replicated anywhere.

But, how many of us get to the top and gaze at the views before heading back down without truly exploring the area? Especially when the temps are freezing and the wind is howling!

What sits at the top, totally unrelated to weather or geology is the Tip Top House.

Originally a hotel built in 1853, the Tip Top house is considered to be the oldest surviving example of hostelry on a mountain summit anywhere in the world.

It was built by Samuel F. Spaulding and cost about $7,000. And it's constructed from rock blasted from the mountain itself.

Inside is a warm welcome from the cold if you're visiting the summit on a cold day. You can imagine how welcoming it would have been to travelers who had hiked to the top in the elements.

Food and drink was available here, but you needed to be lucky to find room. Being the only place to stay at the top, you can imagine that getting a spot was fortunate!

The small house offers exhibits with kitchen accessories that would have been used during its hey day.

After a few years of operating as a hotel, in 1877 it was turned into the printing office for the mountain's newspaper, Among the Clouds. When the newspaper relocated, the Tip Top House was abandoned.

After this point, a much larger three-story hotel was built here. It had 91-rooms and was built along with a weather observatory. But, the Great Fire of 1908 ripped through the summit destroying all of the buildings...with the exception of the stone Tip Top House. It was then renovated to become a hotel once again. After another fire, it was abandoned again in 1968 before being restored in 1987.

While only a short stop in your exploration of the Mount Washington summit, you'll likely find the small structure full of visitors. But, how many of them talk about it once they've returned to the bottom?

With the impressive views, historic cog railway and museum, there's a lot to recall when talking about your visit to the summit. The next time you're there, be sure to stop into the Tip Top House to relive an important part of the mountain's history. And then, tell folks about it and encourage them to experience more of the history of this wonderful place.

Mount Washington, itself, is no hidden gem, but it nevertheless continues to delight. This historic house in New Hampshire may not be the state park's main draw, but it's absolutely worth exploring as you summit the highest peak in the Whites!

Have you ever hiked to the top of Mount Washington or explored this unassuming hidden gem museum? We'd love to hear about it.

If you want to explore the top of Mount Washington this season but aren't the intrepid explorer you wish you were, you'll want to check out this fun tour instead. Or, for more historic places in New Hampshire, check out some of our favorite history hikes, landmarks, and museums.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-hampshire/living-history-museums-nh/