Gen. Sylvanus Thayer House

The Gen. Sylvanus Thayer House is a wood-frame residential building with 2.5 stories located on Washington Street in Braintree. The house contains exhibit rooms with period furnishings and personal objects, complemented by a reconstructed barn on the grounds.

The house was built in 1720 and expanded in the 1760s, when General Sylvanus Thayer was born there in 1785. Thayer went on to transform military education through his work at the United States Military Academy.

The house displays furnishings and objects from daily life in a well-to-do farming family between 1785 and 1793. The rooms show how people lived, worked, and arranged their homes during this period.

Access to the house is available through regular visiting hours managed by the Braintree Historical Society. Visitors should plan ahead, as opening times vary seasonally and guided tours may be offered.

A restored cannon from West Point stands on the front lawn with wheels reconstructed using Colonial-era techniques. This piece reflects Thayer's military career and his significant connection to the academy.

Location: Massachusetts

GPS coordinates: 42.20611,-71.00472

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:42