Ever wonder what it was like to live in the Gilded Age?
We escaped for a day to Hyde Park, NY for a free holiday visit to the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site. It was a beautiful hour and forty minute drive upstate to the “country home” of Frederick Vanderbilt. Frederick was the youngest surviving son of William Vanderbilt and the grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt who founded the family fortune.
Once we went through the gates, we had to cross a bridge on the estate to reach the house and nearby parking area.
For this special event, the Park Service opened the home to the public and welcomed visitors with festive decor, refreshments and live entertainment.
The first room we entered beyond the foyer had twin Christmas trees with a string quartet between them and aromatic holiday flowers to welcome us.
The adjoining room was the dining room where they entertained their guests. On this occasion they displayed china from the 1700s according to one of the Park Rangers.
The dining room had TWO stone fire places, rich wood paneling, all accented by bountiful poinsettias and other details that even made kids wonder about who once lived there.
The ceiling was intricately detailed woodwork and painting.
The second floor has about 8 bedrooms many of which had beautiful ceiling frescoes.
The organizers placed cute little mice strategically in every room so the kids could see how many they could count.
Each bedroom had very high ceilings, large windows, its own fireplace and master bathroom although the Louis IV furniture might be a bit too old school for many who visit today.
Although they were doing repairs to the exterior, the well-proportioned mansion was impressive from every angle. It was designed by the prominent architecture firm McKim, Meade and White.
The home was situated on top of a hill along the Hudson River.
As one surveyed the landscape, the Catskills came into view.
The niece that inherited the childless owners’ estate could not find any buyers for the property. She donated it to the National Park Service, upon the suggestion of President Franklin Roosevelt, so all Americans could learn about the Gilded Age. This is an easy day trip from New York City. It combines the architecture, history, society and culture of an important part of New York and America’s past during the Industrial Revolution and into the 20th century.
To plan your own trip, access this link:
Vanderbilt National Historic Site
