Wow. Amazing isn't it? Look at the andirons (and multiply them by all of the fireplaces in this home), look at the five foot tall world globe, the ladder (if you could call it that), the tapestry above the mantle, the carved marble mantle itself, the exquisite carvings on each side and above the mantle, the mural on the ceiling...
Each of the 205 rooms in this place have the same fabulous, unimaginable decor.
My research has underscored for me the fact that this is a HOME. It is still owned by the original family. It is not a museum. It is not "operated" by a foundation. It has not been turned over to the government to be maintained by taxpayers like you and me. It is a HOME, not a house.
I have also discovered that after the stock market crash of 1929, the city of Asheville came to the Vanderbilts and asked that the home be a focal point for attracting tourists to the area. THAT is why they opened the home. I doubt seriously that the average visitor has any idea that the Vanderbilt family has done this to help out their friends and neighbors. Every five years, the Vanderbilts have a complete appraisal done of their home for tax purposes. How many of us would do that just be sure we were paying the right taxes - good or bad.
I'm sorry I can't share more photos of the interior of Biltmore; I am, however, honored to be invited into someone's home in the way and for the reasons the Vanderbilt's have,
:-) but I can still "talk story" about what I saw and took notes on !!! :-)
No comments:
Post a Comment