How a 12 Room House Transformed Into a 42 Room Mansion: The Nathaniel Thayer Mansion

From a pastor's modest ambition to a legacy worth over half a billion, discover how the Thayer family's quest for prosperity shaped one of the most magnificent estates of the modern era. Dive deep into the transformation of a simple 12-room house into a 42-room mansion that defies the ages, with secrets hidden in every corner. Hit the like button and subscribe for more incredible stories of historic homes.

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Location: Lancaster, MA

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Public Domain Photos from Library of Congress, Daderot
CC BY 2.0 Photos from: Flickr User: Paul Keleher
Assets from: Envato Elements
Music from Epidemic Sound

[pb]

Oh my goodness I passed by this building today and many times to and from work-as I live 2 towns away- amazing!

[gregpendrey]

Make them longer please. Thank you, G 😎

Lank' - e - ster.

[williamtyre]

Interesting to see a house of that size constructed of wood. I think grandpa would have been pleased with the ambitions of his grandson!

[brylcreemy]

I remember touring a large house that started as a 2-room “dog run” cabin when I lived in Texas. The guide pointed out the original portion and explained how it grew over the years. It was pretty cool!

[donnabrat]

About 25 years ago, my son took a toddler music class in the Thayer mansion. At that time, it was looking, and feeling, very worn inside. It was fun to imagine what it once was like inside. The other Thayer house (Hawthorne Hill) is also a beautiful estate. It was the Mahareshi AyurVeda center for several years. Took a meditation class there once. I think Hawthorne Hill finally sold to private owners a few years ago. That mansion was for sale for years. Very cool to have you show a home that is only a few miles away.

[emmajohnson]

Thanks, l love your way of telling, do your research. Thank U

[chucklambooy]

I am always amazed to hear of the immense homes that existed. To build a 12, 16, 20, 30…bedroom home bathrooms and the large number of staff to run these places

[LJB]

While I have driven past this house several times, I've never before seen interior photos. Thank you for posting. There are several other beautiful Thayer mansions in Lancaster, MA. Both the John E. Thayer and Bayard Thayer mansions were up for sale in the last couple of years.

[andrewbrendan]

All of the rooms were in good taste: beautiful and grand but on a human scale. I would call the Homestead a particularly liveable place.

[mileshigh]

The Drawing Room, with its Red Silk Damask covered walls ! And of course the Library!

[calvinsaxton]

Another great upload. You do really high quality videos! About the geography-Lancaster adjoins Clinton Massachusetts and Clinton (a burnt out mill town) has or had the distinction of having more bars and liquor stores per capita than any other place in Massachusetts. Atlantic Union College once used the conservatory as the English Department. The College is closed and seeking a buyer. A challenge in selling the former college property is that heating, electrical and other utilities are all interconnected so the buyer must buy the college with the former church with the former Thayer estate buildings. etc. Keep up the great work with these uploads.

[terrywhaley]

I'm sure it was very beautiful in its prime.

[clairwaucaush]

I like these videos best when they have a happy ending! ( a still standing house)

[TheDarkDresser]

I like the exterior of the Boston Mansion and see many of that style in my city.
I prefer the original Homestead.

[jonclassical]

Ken...you and I need to get on a bunch of Boards so we can become wealthy!

[architypeone]

The old man sounds a lot like the TV preachers and mega church pasters we have today getting rich off of their flock. There is a sucker born every minute.

[proudvirginian]

There are STILL financial perks for being a pastor. 150 years from now a future version of Ken will be doing videos on the over the top mansions of 21st century charlatans.

[elpirata]

religion was invented
when the first fool
met the first con man
Mr Twain

[asylumlover]

THANKFULLY WE HAVE ANOTHER NON-DEMOLITION, AND THIS SITE DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE DECLARED ANOTHER DEMOLITION FREE ZONE, BUT SOMEONE CLEARLY NEEDED AN EDUCATION IN WHAT CHURCH IS ALL

[garryferrington]

Lot of money in bible-thumping, even then.