The day after our Gilded Age tour at Hildene in Vermont, we visited another Gilded Age site in New York.
Our journey back into the Gilded Age led us down the Hudson River to Hyde Park, to the Vanderbilt seasonal home.
GRAND ENTRANCE
A grand entrance became our time machine to the past, as the stately bridge spanning a rippling creek carried us into the Gilded Age.
This is ONLY a seasonal home. Wow!
The goal of Gilded Age millionaires was to have their new wealth look old, so they copied as much as possible the lifestyle of the old wealth of Britain.
Feeling as though I had stepped into Pride and Prejudice, I looked for Mr. Darcy and his horse.
Doesn’t this mansion resemble a smaller version of Mr. Darcy’s mansion?
No wonder I felt like I was in a Jane Austen novel, many of which were on sale in the mansion’s gift shop!
This country estate was a retreat from the main house down river in New York City, so the Vanderbilts could arrive by boat.
Since Mr. Vanderbilt owned the railroad, the family might even arrive by rail.
They lived here for a few weeks in the spring and autumn, so it wasn’t as large as their other homes.
In fact, this home would fit into a wing of the Biltmore Estate, the summer home of the brother.
OPULENT INDOOR TOUR
I think it was this room that has a secret exit to the outdoors.
Is this not a most swoon worthy staircase for grandly sweeping down while wearing appropriate attire? (sigh)
I was wishing myself into my lace Edwardian gown for the grandest of photo shoots.
All of the furnishings and decor is original to the home.
The dumb waiter…and even an elevator!
The servants were even brought over from Europe, since they understood old wealth, and how to be butlers, maids, etc.
GARDEN TOUR
The formal gardens are in a bit of disrepair, so one must imagine its former opulence.
