Going to the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park, NY is a bit like visiting the gilded age in a time capsule, most especially because it appears that the park service is still working on ways to preserve the house. We felt fortunate to still be ale to tour during this renovation process. This is the second Vanderbilt house we have visited, the first being the Biltmore in Ashville, NC. The Hyde Park Mansion was owned by Fredrick and Louise Vanderbilt. This 54 room mansion was completed in 1899 and was one of 5 homes owned by Fredrick and Louise.
Commodore Vanderbilt had 13 children. On his death he left 95% of his estate to William yet Fredrick still got 2 million from the estate. Surprisingly, Fredrick is one of the few that did not lose his inheritance (to poor choices) and was actually quite well off when he died, unlike several of the other siblings. In a previous blog we talked about George Vanderbilt , and the Biltmore in Ashville, NC that he built and how on his death he was in major debt. Se our prior post:asheville-north-carolina-9302015-1052015.html
The Hyde Park Mansion we found to be unusual. While the home appears rectangular from the outside, it feels unusually circular when touring the interior. This can be better understood, for those interested by looking at the floor plan of the mansion.Floor Plan of floors one and two The third floor was the servant's floor and was not included on out tour.
The house is built using expensive construction materials, including Russian Walnut, Santo Domingo Mahogany and Italian marble. The mansion also included the latest in innovations, including electricity that was produce by a hydro electric plant that was built on the property, as well as flush toilets and running water in all of its 14 bathrooms.
Visitors arrived at the mansion by yacht to the estate's own river dock, or by rail to the estate's own rail station or by automobile.
When we visited we could see that renovations are on-going, and we felt fortunate to still be able to tour this beautiful and unusual house. Our visit was a great way to finish a tour day with our daughter Suzy.
Commodore Vanderbilt had 13 children. On his death he left 95% of his estate to William yet Fredrick still got 2 million from the estate. Surprisingly, Fredrick is one of the few that did not lose his inheritance (to poor choices) and was actually quite well off when he died, unlike several of the other siblings. In a previous blog we talked about George Vanderbilt , and the Biltmore in Ashville, NC that he built and how on his death he was in major debt. Se our prior post:asheville-north-carolina-9302015-1052015.html
The Hyde Park Mansion we found to be unusual. While the home appears rectangular from the outside, it feels unusually circular when touring the interior. This can be better understood, for those interested by looking at the floor plan of the mansion.Floor Plan of floors one and two The third floor was the servant's floor and was not included on out tour.
The house is built using expensive construction materials, including Russian Walnut, Santo Domingo Mahogany and Italian marble. The mansion also included the latest in innovations, including electricity that was produce by a hydro electric plant that was built on the property, as well as flush toilets and running water in all of its 14 bathrooms.
Visitors arrived at the mansion by yacht to the estate's own river dock, or by rail to the estate's own rail station or by automobile.
When we visited we could see that renovations are on-going, and we felt fortunate to still be able to tour this beautiful and unusual house. Our visit was a great way to finish a tour day with our daughter Suzy.
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