A Hundred Years of Seclusive Exclusivity

North Shore House offers the perfect combination of rustic appeal and modern amenities that have quickly made us a highly sought-after venue. We offer couples and their loved ones the opportunity to wed, celebrate, and stay with us for an entire unforgettable weekend, all while enjoying delicious food and luxe accommodations. With plenty of activities to keep you and your guests entertained, as well as 27 acres of pristine lakefront property to explore, you’ll spend every moment making incredible memories.

In addition to rustic lakeside weddings, we also host special events of all sizes, from wedding and baby showers to anniversary celebrations and more. During the week, we invite guests to stay with us and enjoy our beautifully appointed boutique accommodations. Our tavern features locally grown, freshly prepared fare with gorgeous views of the sun setting over Swartswood Lake.

The Resort Era

John and Andrew Rivara bought the property upon which North Shore House resides in 1930 and subsequently built a hotel, which they opened in 1938. Back then, the property stretched for 96 acres along the north shore of Swartswood Lake, so the name, North Shore House, was a natural choice for the beautiful new lakeside resort.

The structure was built using some of the most innovative technologies and building practices of its time, from a poured concrete foundation and steel I-beam construction. Featuring a bar, dining room, ballroom, and porch, the 35-room hotel even had two bathrooms on each of the building’s two floors. With dark cypress-paneled walls and wide-planked oak floors, the house had a cozy, rustic appeal that resonated with the resort’s many guests.

For the next 15 years, couples and families flocked to the lakeside hotel, especially during the summer months, eager to enjoy shuffleboard, horseshoes, swimming, sailing, and plenty of fresh air. Hotel rooms were available from Friday to Sunday at a rate of $3.50 per night. A restaurant and tap room that were also opened on the property sold a selection of tavern-style fare. For $1.25, you could purchase an entire steak or chicken dinner, or, if you were looking for something a bit lighter, you could try a roast beef sandwich for $0.45, washing it down with a $0.25 beer.

A Letter from the Family

A letter from our family –

At twelve years old, Steve rode his bike over the bridge and watched as the trees gave way to North Shore House, perched along Swartswood Lake. In his teens he would often joke with the owners that someday he would buy the property. Never could he have imagined that, years later, he would not only marry here and raise a family here, but also continue the legacy of this very special place as a small, family-run business.

North Shore House began as a 35 room summer resort for families escaping the city. As a teenager, Steve would come here to play shuffleboard and pool with the brothers who had developed the property. When they eventually decided to sell, Steve, at only 22 years old making $5.50 an hour, convinced his parents and brother to take a leap of faith and purchase the property-not knowing exactly what the property would become, but knowing there was something incredibly special about it.

Over the years, Steve and I married and gradually acquired the property ourselves. Having spent my entire life in hospitality, caring for people and creating memorable experiences felt like a natural extension of who we were. For 30 years, we cared for and maintained the property, hosting weddings part time while continuing to imagine what North Shore House could become. Eventually, we decided to fully dive in and bring that vision to life.

As the main building underwent a major transformation, I collected antiques and one-of-a-kind pieces that would become part of the character and charm of the building and grounds. From the very beginning, we had three guiding principles: fresh, thoughtfully prepared cuisine made in-house; an unwavering attention to every detail; and a warm, accommodating staff who genuinely cared about our couples and their guests.

Today, with more than 50 years of hospitality experience-and 50 years of living on this property-we have the privilege of watching that vision come to life, wedding after wedding.

We see the excitement in a bride’s eyes just before she walks down the aisle. We see our staff become emotional as they watch a couple share their first dance. We see the awe on a guest’s face when they make their way through the trees and North Shore House comes into view, overlooking the lake just as it did all those years ago.

And perhaps most meaningful of all, we get to share a place that has been such a big part of our own family’s story with the families who come here to begin a new chapter of theirs.

Thank you for allowing us to be part of your story. We hope that when you leave North Shore House, it feels a little bit like home-and that years from now, you’ll look back on your wedding day here with the same love we have for this place.

– Louise & Steve

Choosing North Shore House for Your Dream Wedding or Special Event

We know where you choose to celebrate your big day is perhaps the most important choice you’ll make once you’ve become engaged! At North Shore House, we work tirelessly to ensure each and every moment of your wedding weekend is absolutely perfect. Please contact us to request pricing information and menu options for our all-inclusive wedding packages. Learn more about our Management Team.

North Shore House, 912 Swartswood Rd, Newton, NJ 07860

Phone: (973) 383-5460

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 167
Swartswood, NJ 07877

Or you can fill out this contact form and we will respond within 24-48 hours.