Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, Hyde Park, NY

The Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, in Hyde Park, NY, is a sight to behold.  This mansion was built in 1896-1899 by Fredrick William Vanderbilt, a railroad baron, as a "farmhouse" for their spring and fall getaways to the country.  The house took 26 months to complete with a crew of men working around the clock.  The house cost about $400,000 dollars and the furnishings cost 1.5 million.  Most of the furnishings were imported from France as was the style at the time.  The unique thing about this home is that most of the original furnishings are still intact because it was sold by a member of the Vanderbilt family to the National Park Service for the sum of $1. 

Entry Hall

Gentleman's smoking room

Ladies sitting room

Dining room table

Fredrick's bed

Ceiling of Fredrick's bedroom

Fredrick's wife Louise bedroom

Guest room

Servant's stairway

Dumb waiter

This cottage was built for the Vanderbilts to live in while the house was completed.  It was completed in 66 days.  After the house was completed, it became the Bachelor's quarters.