The VANDERBILT MANSION, They built the biggest and best!! It's a National Historic Site
Written: May 15 '03 (Updated Oct 08 '03)
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Pros: Beautiful mansion and grounds, fantastic views, knowledgeable guides.
Cons: no regular tours of the outside grounds.
The Bottom Line: I enjoyed the history and the pomp of this place. Hey it even has electric lighting and indoor bathrooms.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site |
On an early spring week end my wife and I decided to visit three national historic sites. They are all in the Mid-Hudson Valley and all within fifteen minutes of each other.
We visited The Home of Franklin D Roosevelt National Historic Site and Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site. These were homes of great Americans that were part of our political process.
The third historic site we visited was more about the homes and lifestyle of Americas richest families who gained their wealth through industry. One of these families was the Vanderbilts who were at the time the richest of the rich! The name of the place is The Vanderbilt Mansion Historic Site.
SOME HISTORY
Frederick William Vanderbilt was the person who purchased this 600 acre piece of land in 1895, supervised the landscaping, and approved the plans for the mansion. He wanted a home that would be like that of Europeans of wealth, and of long family lines and status.
The home was to be the grandest of all. He really did live up to his plans. This huge 54 room mansion remains today as it did when the last of the Vanderbilt's left it.
Built with the latest of all worldly comforts of the time it had, indoor plumbing with bathrooms. It also had a central heating system. Most impressive of the time was that it was the first of all the homes in the area to have electric lighting in the home. The estate had its own generating station right on the grounds. The powerhouse is can still be viewed from a distance.
GETTING THERE
This is in the mid-Hudson Valley section of New York State. The NY Thruway that is on the western side of the Hudson River will bring you to one of the bridges that will take you to the east side and route 9. The Taconic parkway on the east can bring you toward this are from the north and south. Heading west will get you to route 9. The mansion is on the very north border of Hyde Park, on the west side of the road.
You can also get there by train from New York or Albany, and then take a short taxi ride. You could just walk because the grounds are just a hundred feet or so from the RR property.
SOME BASICS
I'm talking about schedules and fees etc. There was nothing basic about the mansion itself.
The grounds are open all year from 7am till sunset. The home and visitors center is open 9am till 5pm every day except three holidays. The only way to see the mansion is by having a ticket. They are $8.00 for adults, 16 and under free. The tours can be sold out so be sure you get there early or better yet make a call ahead at 1800-967-2283. Reservations can also be made through the parks site. I will leave the link at the end of this piece.
THE VISITORS CENTER
After driving through the gates you immediately get a feel of the grandeur of yesteryear. You pass over a stone bridge looking at the beautifully landscaped stream and lands below. Just follow the road to the visitors center. This building by the name of the Pavilion was the home of the Vanderbilts while construction of the mansion was being finished. This was quite a grand place itself. After the mansion was finished single male guests would stay here.
Park your car and go into the door, this is where you can pick up your tour tickets. There is a small gift shop with books, post cards, and other items.
You can also have your National Parks Pass canceled here. For more about Collecting parks through the passport system see the link at the end. It is a fun way to create interest in our wonderful National Parks System.
You may save a few dollars by considering a National Parks Pass. If you are visiting the other area National Sites it may be worth your while. One person makes the purchase and receives a pass that will also include a spouse and other immediate family members free. It is good for a year and also gets you into many other National Parks, Memorials, and Sites.
Once you have made your purchase of the tickets you can consider what to do next. We were there in early spring. There were no waits for the tour. If you do have a wait you can check out the grounds. They will give you a map of the estate.
THE GROUNDS
As mentioned the grounds are free and open from 7am till sunset. If you get there early or have time till your tour, start walking. That is the only way to get around. Unfortunately for my wife and me the formal gardens were not displaying their spring colours just yet. This area has just recently been brought back to life through private donations. It's near the Gardeners Cottage and Toolhouse.
After viewing the gardens be sure to take a look at the impressive looking Coach House and Stable. This is now a private residence of park employees but is owned by the park service. Take a peek. It's not open though, just the outside. You can also take a peek across the water at the private powerhouse they had for their own electric needs.
If you walk or to ease things a bit, jump in your car make a stop at the overlook and take a picture or two. Continue in your car down to Bard Rock There is a small parking area there and some picnic tables. The Vanderbilts were visited by car, on the nearby roads, by sea, where they had their own dock and by railroad. The station is just at the southern end of the property.
So after doing some walking your tour time has come up.
THE TOUR
A park ranger will meet you outside the Pavilion and walk you to the mansion. We were given instruction of no flashes and please do not touch.
Walking in the door sets the tone. The oval entrance is very interesting. There we were given a general talk about the Vanderbilts and of the 1st floor rooms of the home. We were then free to see the rooms from behind velvet stanchions. I liked this way of doing it. It gave plenty of time to view and then also ask questions.
You get to realize what is meant by the Gilded Age. This is quite a representation. The rooms are magnificent.
We were then led up the flight of stairs. Ha, they said we could hold the banister. No law suits here. We were brought to the different ends of the home and told a bit about them. The bed rooms of the Vanderbilts were very interesting. Unfortunately because you cannot go into the rooms you don't get a full feel of the rooms and the beds in them. There were quite a few chuckles, whispers, and words in reaction to the marble railings around Mrs Vanderbilt's bed.
We weren't taken up to the third floor. This was where visiting ladies maids were housed. We were however brought down to the lower level, under the first floor. This is where the kitchen is and where some of the servants lived.
It is amazing how all the cooking and cleaning was hidden from the guests. The tour was informative. I do wish it continued to some of the out buildings.
SUMMER CONCERTS
You can get a schedule from the visitors center for the summer music on the lawn. They have a listing of about sixteen dates for both the Vanderbilt and nearby Mills Mansion.. Don't miss the tour of that place. I really enjoyed it!
WHERE TO STAY AND DINE
The Hyde Park area has some chain motels, B&Bs, and campgrounds. It also has fast food places, deli's, and pizza places. Finer dining is also available. We went to the Culinary Institute of America twice while up there a few days. It was very good. Up in Rhinebeck less than ten minutes away is the famous Beekman Arms for lodging and dining.
We stayed at the Belvedere Mansion. It was just five minutes from the Vanderbilt. It was built one year later. Its not quite so grand as the Vanderbilt but it is extremely inviting and charming. It was renovated to give the feel of the Gilded Era. I do recommend it. They also have Fine French Dining there . Call for times and reservations.
MORE TO SEE
This was the last review of the trio of historic sites in the area. This part of the Hudson River Valley has so much more to offer. It has vineyards. Get a local map and follow the Wine Trail. In Rhinebeck is the Aerodrome. Rhinebeck also hosts the Dutchess County Fair every year.Our family has been there a few times. It's lots of fun.
Don't miss the other mansions that are on the river. More history, tours, and breathtaking views are in store for you.
I recently went to Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate. It's south of this area. Maybe an hour or so away. The tour of the mansion was terrific. The grounds were amazingly beautiful!!
But the biggest and best is the Vanderbilt!!
Other reviews by popsrocks
Hudson Valley
Home of Franklin D Roosevelt National Historic Site
Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site
Kykuit, The Rockefeller Estate Amazing grounds
Lake Taconic State Park
The Belvedere Mansion, a place to stay
The HILTON HOTEL, Tarrytown
Mohonk Mountain House
New York State
New York City
Long Island
Best Western Hotel, Albany Area
Saratoga National Historic Site, Upstate NY
National Park System
http://www.epinions.com/content_2908004484
National Park Passports What you should know.
http://www.epinions.com/content_76095131268
Recommended:
Yes
Best time to go: Anytime
Recommended for: Anybody
Review Topic: Overview
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