Ever since I was a small child, I would lose myself in an imaginary world captured by the ongoing lives of strangers. Driving home from a day at the lake, I’d hang, chin on fore arm, out the window, inhaling bugs and staring into the windows of the homes along the way. Often seeing the blue glare of a TV screen or the fluorescent gleam of a kitchen light, I’d think …what are these people doing now? Are they happy or sad? Young or old? Do they have children? Grandchildren, maybe?  Quickly, I’d scope yards and driveways looking for any clues that might give me further insight into their lives. And, in a flash, it would all be gone. Perhaps this is why I am so fascinated today by the many New England mansions, castles, and historic homes that we are fortunate to have in our region. Thanks to various historical societies and preservation organizations, many of these landmarks have been beautifully preserved, restored, and continue to be maintained throughout the years. One such home that stands out to me, is the Thomas Plant house, formally called Lucknow, but currently know now as  Castle in The Clouds. Besides spectacular vistas of Lake Winnipesaukee, its notable Arts & Crafts architecture and design, and technology that was way ahead of its time, more intriguing to me than the house, is the life of the man who once lived here.

The Man: Thomas G. Plant

Thomas Plant was born in 1859 in Bath, Maine. He was a short man, barley 5’1, with a Napoleon fetish and big dreams. Knowing he wanted more from life than his lot in Maine could offer, he left home at the age of fourteen. With no formal education, he got an entry level job as a shoe laster in Lynn, Massachusetts, which, at that time, was the shoe-making capital of the world. By 27, he had risen up through the ranks and now owned his own factory. The Thomas G Plant Factory in the Jamaica Plain section of  Boston would grow to become one of the largest woman’s shoe companies in the world. Thomas Plant developed and patented new machinery that would make better quality shoes faster and more efficiently. However, not only was Thomas Plant ahead of his time with technological advancements, but also with his humanitarian efforts in the workplace as well. He provided various recreational outlets for his employees such as a library stocked with over 2,000 books, billiards, and a gym. He kept physicians on hand for those who fell ill and provided child care for his working mothers…something nearly unheard of at the time. In 1910, under weighted pressure from the United Shoe Machinery Company, Plant sold out and retired at the age of 51, a self made multi-millionaire.

His Castle: The Lucknow Estate

Now at a turning point in his life, Thomas Plant married his second wife, Olive Dewey, who, by the way, was nearly six feet tall and 26 years his junior. Together, they moved to Moultonborough, New Hampshire where Plant purchased 6,300 acres of land that reached upward from the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee well into the Ossipee Mountain range. He hired almost 1,000 Italian masons to construct he and Olive’s 16 room dream home. Made from five-sided stones and nestled 1,300 feet above New Hampshire’s Lake Region on Mt Shaw, the house encompasses the most amazing panoramic views of the lakes and mountains.  The entire estate would be completed in a year and included every early modern day marvel from an intercom system, central vacuuming, and, a self-cleaning oven, to skylights and spa-like needle showers in every bath. The basement includes two levels and houses a brine-cooled wine cellar and a laundry room, complete with heated drying racks. Currently visitors are allowed to wander freely about the house and just about nothing is roped off.  When exploring the house one gets a welcoming feel. The home is bright, sunny, and cheerful. Many windows are themed with painted Rondels and exceptional glass work by Tiffany Studios of New York with iron finishing by Edward F. Caldwell Company, also of New York. The giant game room has a built in Aeolian organ that can be played manually or mechanically. It is said that while the Plant’s entertained their guest, music could be heard echoing out onto the waters of Lake Winnipesaukee. Most peculiar, is Mr. Plant’s “secret room” with its small entrance built into the library wall. It is said that Plant possessed the only key and would often seek refuge here from his growing business stresses. Other highlights include octagonal, oak flooring, Gustav Stickley chairs, painted ceilings as well as many pictures and artifacts. 

His Demise

During his retirement Thomas Plant kept himself busy travelling the world with Olive and engaging in several construction projects, including a nursing home he designed and built in honor of his parents back in Bath, Maine. He also built the Bald Peak Country Club on Lake Winnipesaukee, which still remains a prestigious club today. Already financially extended, he also made a series of bad business investments. In the early 1920’s, he invested in Russian bonds and Cuban sugar.  Both investments would turn out to be failures, seriously damaging his financial security. In early 1930, he attempted to get out from debt by  selling the estate, however the stock market had just crashed, and their were no buyers to be found. By 1940, creditors had seized the property and in July of 1941, Thomas Plant died, at the age of 82, a poor man. Olive returned to her hometown in Illinois to live out her days, living well into her 90’s.

Mr. Plant was both an innovative and generous man who did all he could to improve the quality of living in the lives of others. It saddens me to know the way it all would end.

The Revival: Castle in the Clouds

Mr. Plant’s estate remained a private home for several years until 1956 when it was opened as a tourist attraction by the Robey family. Currently, the property is owned and operated by the Lakes Region Conservation Trust. The LRCT hopes to completely restore the estate by 2014 in celebration of the estates 100th year anniversary.

You can enjoy gorgeous panoramic views of the lake at the Patio Café where lunch is served daily from 11:00 -3:30pm. The restaurant is actually Thomas Plant's old horse barn where stables have now been converted to tables. In fact, if you would like to come up only for lunch (no tour or grounds pass) you can travel up the service entrance and bus tour entrance on Ossippee Park Road, and there will be no admission charge. Yankee Magazine just voted the Patio Cafe as one of the Best Cafes in New England!...so it must be good!!! 

Also, guided horse back rides and carriage rides are available seven days a week at Castle in the Clouds. Soon visitors will be able to make reservations online for guided trail rides.

For more information and to plan a trip to The Castle in The Clouds, visit www.castleintheclouds.org

Written By : Jessica Layne

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