Weddings

Thayer's was built in 1895, as a Rail Road Hotel  using funding from the Soo Line Railroad with Gus & Caroline Thayer. 

The first time my husband, Warren, and I walked into this building in early 1993, I knew I had to have it - even though the place was a mess; the outside porches were in need of some major repairs, the paint was faded pink and peeling, and the inside spaces were dark, dirty grey, dingy green and everything was covered with an unhappy, dreary, pallor. It was clear to me that the Thayer's Hotel was not loved at all.  On the spot, I decided I really wanted to help change all that! 

After looking at the building, and meeting with the then owner, on the way home to Minneapolis, Warren took one look at me and he knew. Thayer's was the place I'd been talking about and looking for since I'd sold my last restaurant in 1986. I remember that he did still ask me, "Is this really the one you want?" of course my answer was a resounding "YES!" 

May be it was the vision of the "working girls" playfully  leaning over the railings of Thayer's 'Old West' porches on the front of the building. Maybe it was their call of "Hey! you wanna have some fun?" that I heard. Maybe it was that I knew Thayer's could once more be the beauty it was meant to be and I knew I needed to be a part of it.  Maybe it was the way I saw this gorgeous place loved and healthy again, maybe, just maybe it was all of that and more! 

What ever it was that got my attention...what ever it was, that very first day...  I knew Thayer's and I were destined to be connected!  

So, later in the spring of 1993, Warren and I made an offer, it was accepted, and a little while later, Thayer's stopped operating as a hotel and bar and became my new home away from home... the project began... hours on the road, to Annandale and back to Minneapolis at least 6 times a week for the first two years, hours cleaning and painting and hanging wall paper, hours and hours!

but, today, as you will see, Thayer's has the majesty and character and love she is initialed to. In 1996, after Warren was killed when another car drove head on into his, I had to make a decision to either stay in Annandale or move back to Minneapolis. 

I stayed with my dream; Thayer's is now my only home and a beautiful, well loved, bright, cherry,  finely appointed, award winning Bed and Breakfast.  It is every bit that I had imagined it could be and more.  I am truly proud to call Thayer's home and I am very pleased to welcome you! 

By the way, yes, Thayer's is haunted! My husband Warren, Gus Thayer and his wife Caroline Thayer and "the girls" visit us regularly, as do many of their friends and customers-plus, we have a few ghost kitties that stop in. 

Skip the rest of the introduction, Take me to the Guest rooms!

Being constructed as a three story, wooden, balloon framed building in 1895,  plus all of the history this house holds and the unique western galleries (porches) on the front of it are some of the reasons Thayer's has the privilege to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

"Thayer's continues to be a beautiful work in progress... it has gone thru a number of changes over the years... especially since 1993, when I got my hands on it... right now we have beautiful gardens, 11 gorgeous guest rooms each with a full private bath and there is a bright light filled living room to relax in, a game room filled with board games and  for entertaining friends, an elegant, comfortable, Victorian dining room that can easily seat 50 guests. 

Some guest rooms have claw footed tubs with showers while others have double and single whirlpools. We have 6 guest rooms with electric fireplaces. Every guest room has a comfortable bed (most are Beauty Rest Exceptional pillow-topped mattress sets)  fine- fine linens of at least 380T count, air conditioning, a hair dryer, and upscale amenities. 

Although I have authentic Italian, Victorian and French antiques, they are antiques you can sit on; guests have told me that they really like that Thayer's is relaxed and homey, with a tranquil peace about it.

I have two friendly house kitties, TN and Miss Sadie Cat, that let me live here, a wonderful staff of 10 talented people that help me keep things up to snuff, out door gardens that say sit a while and relax, old photo's that remind all of us of our rich history and enchanted guests, ghosts and ghost kitties that visit regularly and keep us entertained. 

Thayer's is not an ordinary award winning bed and breakfast; we offer retreats, workshops and classes in psychic awareness development and paranormal study, Ghost Hunting Packages, plus Afternoon teas, carriage rides, award winning Interactive Murder Mystery Dinners and a whole lot of fun! 

As you tour our virtual Thayer's Historic Bed n' Breakfast, you will find many photographs and scenes from my enchanted home. Please, view this web site with caution... only a real world visit gives a full Thayer experience.  Give a call to make reservations or you can book a stay online with our secure online booking site. 

You may also preview Thayer's; to set an appointment time for your visit you need to call a day or two in advance. Sunday afternoons usually work the best for a tour. 

We hope you enjoy our home as much as we do!"  Sharon, Miss Sadie Cat and  Mr. Tennessee.

PS: Click any of the links on the left side of this page to visit the areas of Thayer's Historic Bed n' Breakfast that interest you.

You are invited to browse; if you have any questions, send an email to me, Sharon, at  slg@thayers.net or call us at  1.800.944.6595!