Youtube comments of Jeff Lawrentz (@jefflawrentz1624).

  1. I’m glad there is a developer out there willing to see the value in what is left of this house. I’ve often heard the expression “ Keeping up with the Joneses” but never knew where it originated. Thanks Ken!
    137
  2. It would have been a huge loss to history to have lost this. I’m so glad to know about this. I’ve put it on my places to see list.
    56
  3. It’s what you would expect - they tore down 4 architectural landmark buildings to replace it with a stunningly ugly high rise. Very disappointing. But at least that added fuel to the preservation movement. Thanks Ken!
    52
  4. This is such a gorgeous house. Let’s hope this stays in their family for hundreds of years to come. What a treasure!
    37
  5. While I can appreciate their opulance, for me I don’t find any of the houses to be home-like. I do appreciate their history. It would be interesting to know if any Vanderbilt descendants watch this and see what they have to offer on them. Thanks, Ken; you did an excellent job presenting this!
    35
  6. It would be interesting to know where all those antique paneled rooms went when the large beach house was demolished. I hope they didn’t meet the fate of the wrecking ball. Well done, Ken!
    31
  7. From your presentation it seems he must have been all about greed for money in destroying such architectural heritage - especially those row houses. What a shame so much was lost because of this. Thanks Ken for another fine presentation !
    27
  8. I have read articles on them and stumbled across their story first on Google. You did a wonderful job presenting this- thank you Ken!
    27
  9. That’s a pretty spectacular place. I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite spot in that house but so glad it’s a national trust property. Thanks for sharing !
    27
  10. The world needs more people like the Newmans. I’m sorry their house wasn’t adaptively reused. This was a very nice tribute to them. Thank you, Ken!
    25
  11. This must be the same house his daughter Alice was born. I think it’s awesome they recreated it. I’d love to take their tour.
    22
  12. I had never read anything on this town house till watching this. I like the nice restrained Regency style simplicity of it. “The Last Mrs Astor” by Frances Kiernan was an excellent read. Well done, Ken. Thank you!
    22
  13. I had a feeling before watching this video that the house would be long gone. I hope they sold off architectural salvage before demolition began. I had not heard of this house before. Thanks, Ken for another great episode !
    17
  14. Kudos to his granddaughter who had the gumption to save this property from developers ! This house has been on my radar to visit for some time. Thank you for this video, Ken. Well done!
    15
  15. I think Hollywoods use of Victorians has a lot to do with the rejection of the style but also how a lot of them have very odd floor plans that allow for hidden books and crannies. I would love to know more about the chateau you pictured in this at 33 seconds and the ruins at 1:39. Nice work, Ken!
    14
  16. Yes thank you for that update!
    13
  17. I’ve been here twice, both before and after Hurricane Hugo. I don’t think Governor Aiken would have thought of this as his plantation home but more of his suburban villa. The 7 houses across the street were all rentals he owned designed so the income would support running of the main home for each day of the week( or so our guide told us). HCF had opened it to the public and it fascinated me to see a lot of the old furniture piled in one of the attic rooms. I recall our guide telling us that Ion Rhett was forbidden to marry his fiancé and they had to wait until his mother died to wed and his widow simply closed up rooms for decades and lived in just a few rooms. You did a great job on this house, Ken. Thank you!
    12
  18. You all have a wonderful home and I’m glad you’re going to give it back the character and dignity it deserves. Thank you for the tour!
    12
  19. I’m so glad I chanced across this video. It’s nice to see how careful they’re studying this landmark and following the evidence in its preservation. Daniel Boone and his family lived for 2 years in the Kanawha Valley of Charleston ( West) Virginia renting a log home from the Donally family across the river from a state park that now bears his name. They moved to Kentucky when they left here. There was a family of Van Bibbers here and I wonder if Nathan’s wife was related to those. It would be fun to see how Boone’s birthplace in Pennsylvania compares to this home. You did an excellent job presenting this!
    10
  20. I really enjoyed this vlog. I wonder what became of her home in the Adirondack’s ?
    9
  21. I think this is one of my favorite of all the houses you’ve ever shown.
    9
  22. I had never seen a lot of the earlier Duke homes in Durham before. Thanks Ken!
    9
  23. I’d like to try living in a museum. ( or settle for just the library 😂). I toured this a decade ago and loved it. Wonderful that he was able to acquire the Blue Boy and Pinky paintings. Thanks, Ken for another wonderful episode!
    9
  24. I’ve toured this house several times and it’s worth seeing again. While some pieces were gifted to the Peter’s from the Washingtons, the vast majority of Washington pieces were purchased at a private auction held among Martha Washingtons heirs after her death in 1802. Its difficult to choose a favorite room in this remarkable house.
    9
  25. This was a fascinating glimpse into New York history. I’ve never read or heard anything about this before. Thanks Ken, for another exciting episode!
    9
  26. Yes, the replacement hotel is stunningly ugly. What a shame to lose that house.
    8
  27. I did remember your first video on this. You did a wonderful job in the revision and it’s a great bio. Thank you
    8
  28. Looks like Wingwood made a lot of architectural salvage for someone. Let’s hope it all didn’t end up in a landfill.
    8
  29. I love Mount Vernon and it was fun seeing the older views of its interior in your vlog before they restored it to its current state. I subscribe to their channel too and it’s amazing how they have followed the evidence to put it back as closely as they can determine to the way GW knew it. Very cool !
    8
  30. The last home was my favorite but had they reassembled the Savannah plantation home that would have been my favorite. This was a fun video- well done
    8
  31. I like Cleveland. They have one of the best art museums in the country. I’ve not seen the western reserve museum but agree with you they could have made an addition more in keeping with what they started out with.
    8
  32. The grandfathers house was my favorite.
    8
  33. Flagler’s grandaughter was a leading force in having White Hall preserved as a house museum. I loved seeing Consuelo Balsan’s Florida home. I believe she had this while she kept a home in New York City as well. Of the houses shown, Consuelo’s is my favorite. Thanks Ken for another wonderful episode!
    8
  34. I’ve been to San Simeon only once. A lot to see there. Phoebe Appleton Hearst was a regent member of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association and was very generous in helping preserve the home. I admire her a lot more than her son. Sounds like Marion Davies was the perfect “ husband sitter” for Mrs. Hearst. 😂
    7
  35. There’s an octagonal house in Circleville, Ohio which was acquired by their historical society and moved to be saved when a Walmart was built. I remember hearing that Walmart even helped finance the move. This was very interesting. Thanks!
    7
  36. Wow! I would love to check out their book collection next time I’m in Baltimore. The library was probably my favorite room. At abt. 4:46 you described the furniture as stenciled but I think it is actually either Dutch or Italian marquetry inlaid. Thanks Ken for letting us know about this treasure house!!
    6
  37. I’ve visited his Key West home as well as the Audubon house and Truman White House there. I really liked seeing those 6 toed cats.
    6
  38. It would be interesting to know if the Solomon home survived and if so, what it may look like today.
    6
  39. I love the architecture of Gunston Hall. I’ve followed its restoration but have yet to visit. Thanks Ken for this wonderful tour.
    6
  40. I read that Mrs Jack Gardner (Boston) visited and Mrs Palmer showed her their gold table service for 50. Mrs Jack then asked “ But what do you do when you have a large dinner party?”
    6
  41. The library was my favorite. I’ve driven past this home but did not have time to visit. I’m going to have to tour this one.
    6
  42. Very interesting. I think the neighborhood can be revived. If they market it right it can be a success.
    5
  43. I’m visited this house several times. It would be difficult for me to pick a favorite room or feature as I love it all. I’m thankful the Drayton family allowed this to become a National Trust property to share with the world. I think the dependencies had been taken down because of earthquake damage.
    5
  44. This was interesting. When I think of Peachtree Street I think of a bio of Margaret Mitchell I read long ago in which it states she told her brother Stevens Mitchell that she wished him to tear down their family home ( on Peachtree) after he no longer wished to live there as she “ did not want strangers looking in rooms that were once their own.”
    5
  45. I visited several years ago and want to go back. There’s so much to see and learn from here that it’s very fortunate he had the interest to save so much. One day is not nearly enough time to see it all.
    5
  46. Yes, the world does need more people like Titus!
    5
  47. Yes. While I favor houses being left on their original location, sometimes this just is not possible. Im glad this one was so carefully reassembled and while they made changes, that makes the house livable by modern standards.
    4
  48. His last mansion looked more like home to me. The first one was nice, but rather big and empty. I’m glad they both survive.
    4
  49. I’ve never been, but would like to see this place. If memory serves me correctly, in 2019 Freeman’s Auctions in Philadelphia sold over 450 objects deaccessioned from the collection of this house. It’s definitely on my places to see list. Nice work, Ken!!
    4
  50. I’m gona go out on a limb and guess that the utility bills for this place are what led to his heart attack. 🤔
    4
  51. That’s a charming cottage. I’m so glad they saved it after the fire.
    4
  52. I was at Versailles years ago but want to go back to see the restored private apartments of Madam DuBarry. I enjoyed this. Thanks, Ken and I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.
    4
  53. Reminds me of a house that could be used to film a Batman Movie. I’ve never heard of this home before. Thanks, Ken for introducing us to this place.
    4
  54. I’ve been a couple of times and really enjoyed my visits. The first time the house was mid- restoration. The second time they had the Gilmore log home restored and that is also wonderful to see. Thanks for another fascinating vlog!
    3
  55. Of the houses you showed, the Tennessee plantation was my favorite. It reminds me somewhat of President Polks house looked like, had it survived. Very interesting tours, Ken. Thank you!
    3
  56. Happy Birthday, Mr Editor 🎉🎂🍰🍷
    3
  57. At the very least they should have relocated Hancock’s Georgian mansion. Benjamin Franklin’s home met the same fate in Philadelphia. It’s interesting to see how that house was memorialized in prints after the destruction. Parts of the interior have shown up in auctions in recent years. The United States needs preservation grades like Great Britain. Nice work, Ken!
    3
  58. I’ve always wanted to tour this. Thanks for the recommendation.
    3
  59. Ken, you did great on colorizing those photos. I could just imagine Ward McAllister standing there at the entrance hall 😉. Of the interior, I believe the picture gallery was my favorite. Well done!!
    3
  60. How lucky we are the final owner cared enough about this to have it saved for posterity. Great episode- I’ll have to put this on my places to see list. Thank you, Ken !
    3
  61. I’ve read about Millicent. And I admire her taste.
    3
  62. I’d like to see you do a story on Gracie Mansion. The palace mansions are nice but I could never imagine living in something so over the top. I’d feel like I was staying at a hotel. 😂
    3
  63. I wish the United States had preservation guidelines like the UK with different grades. And as has been stated before, when we preserve the ordinary as well as the extraordinary, we fill in the full spectrum of history. Thank you, Ken, for all you do in encouraging historic preservation.
    3
  64. I used to live in Victorian Village and always loved the architecture that was left. I learned about the Kelley Mansion while there. It was replaced by a circular hotel that was later demolished. I never realized until watching this about the other grand homes that were lost. Thanks Ken for another fascinating episode!
    3
  65. I liked the portraits of Mr/Mrs Stokes- I wonder if they were painted by Sargent or Boldini ? I think they had a place in Palm Beach.
    3
  66. I suspect these were photos from Historic American Building Survey done in the last century. This home has appeared in at least one coffee table book on Virginia Homes — likely more, but I can’t recall the titles atm.
    3
  67. That’s a beautiful house. The portico side reminds me somewhat of the portico at Tudor Place in Georgetown, DC.
    3
  68. Yes that was very cool! Would love to visit
    2
  69. I’m glad to learn about this house. I’d like to visit .
    2
  70. That’s such a cool property. I’d love to visit that some day. Thank you, Ken !
    2
  71. I agree completely. They had no respect for heritage when they demolished this gem.
    2
  72. I found it fascinating in that he was largely forgotten until his daughter Huguette Clark was brought into the news. It was ostentatious and a bit of visual overload to see all this mixes in styles. Thanks, Ken for another fascinating vlog!
    2
  73.  @garryferrington811  Thanks for catching that - there are other families that spell it Hurst.
    2
  74. I remember this making the news when it was moved the last time and some discussion being made that it was not oriented the same way as when it was originally built in Harlem, as they wanted the natural sunlight to hit the rooms as it did in Hamiltons time. I would love to go see this now that it’s finished. It’s gorgeous. Thank you, Ken!
    2
  75. Many thanks! I’ll check that out.
    2
  76. What a shame to have lost such remarkable architectural salvage. While a great many of the architectural elements appear to be of their period, some I suspect were later copies- such as the chairs along the wall at approximately 4:34 minutes - I suspect the architect was copying some of the “Great Halls” dwellings had some 500 yrs ago. Still even today these would be wonderful antiques to have. Nice work!!
    2
  77. Some years ago I read that his birthplace house in rural Missouri was being saved but I have never read any more about it. I’d love to see you feature that and his boyhood home in Hannibal, Missouri sometime.
    2
  78. I’ve never visited, but read some about this house a few years ago. I understand that the gate house (1:39) actually dates from the late 1600s by early Long Island settlers. I think it was very admirable of him to respect the history that was there before he bought the property. You did a great job covering this, Ken. Thank you!
    2
  79. Wow, that’s a beautiful place. I’ll have to put that on my places to see list. Thank you !
    2
  80. I loved the stair hall at 3:42 and dining room murals. The portrait of the lady with her dog in the stairwell was most interesting. Thanks Ken!
    2
  81. This is one of my favorite episodes as I’ve always been a fan of Consuelo’s ever since reading her autobiography. Thank you for showing her many homes.
    2
  82. I’ve read about this house but never visited. Will definitely put it on my bucket list. As to favorite rooms- the library with that wonderful bookcase. How lucky we are this survives. Thanks, Ken!
    2
  83.  @jaelleerica  I would love to visit those places. Hannibal, Mo sounds charming 😃
    2
  84. I’m torn to pick a favorite among so many favorites shown. I have been to Drayton Hall several times and hope to go back again. Bacon’s Castle in Surry, Va is another favorite finished in 1665 by Arthur Allen. Great episode, Ken!!
    2
  85. I visited this years ago this was one of my favorites. Many of the homes had fresh flowers and I still remember the strong scent of gardenia in a few. This was one of my favorite of the Newport mansions. I believe the Newport Historical Society was able to locate and return a valuable rug that was once in Consuelos bedroom. It’s pretty spectacular.
    2
  86. Interesting that the house survived the 1906 earthquake - I wonder if it had any damage from that quake. 🤔. Nice work, Ken!
    2
  87. I think it would be interesting to know where all the architectural salvage went after being sold. Thanks Ken for another great episode!
    2
  88. Probably Aloha Lodge.
    2
  89. The Greek revival in Columbus, Georgia would have been my pick. Lots of potential there.
    2
  90. I’d like to see Port of Missing Men. That’s amazing it’s still in the hands of the family. If I’m not mistaken, Freemans Auctions of Philadelphia did a sale of property from the estate of Millicent Rogers. She was a fascinating lady and I’m looking forward to your vlog about her. Thanks Ken!
    2
  91. It’s hard to pick a favorite part of Lemon Hill - I think it’s all spectacular.
    2
  92. I’ve been several times and recommend going @ Christmas. It’s decorated to the hilt - gorgeous!
    1
  93. Please tell me the 1200 yr old interiors were dismantled and sold to someone that would appreciate them. What a shame if they were just destroyed.
    1
  94. That’s stunningly beautiful! I’m so thankful this is saved for us to marvel at today. Thank you for the tour!
    1
  95. How cool! I’d love to see you do a vlog on some of Addison Mizner’s homes.
    1
  96. I wonder if Peggy Guggenheim ever visited and what she thought of this house.
    1
  97. I liked the house, but it was quite over the top. Your description of how her husband passed reminds me of the movie “Black Widow”. Thanks, Ken for another fun episode!
    1
  98. Ditto - spot on, Ken !
    1
  99. I e read several articles on Rokeby over the years. I think it stands a great chance of surviving. Especially if they work to go off grid. If I had to choose a room to spend time in it would definitely be that wonderful library. Thanks Ken!
    1
  100. I visited this house several years ago and it’s well worth going out of your way to see it. You did a great job on this Ken!
    1
  101. I’m glad to see this video. This happened to me at one of their stores. I avoid them if possible.
    1
  102. I enjoyed this episode very much.
    1
  103. Liz Cheney is a true American patriot. ❤❤❤
    1