Any fans of the "Gilded Age" or "Dontown Abby" out there? Then we have a field trip for you.... Meet #vanderbiltmansionhydeparkny. The 50-room Classical-style mansion was built in 1898 by Frederick William Vanderbilt, a grandson of“Commodore” Cornelius Vanderbilt—the shipping and railroad magnate and richest man in America during his lifetime.
One of eight heirs to his family’s fortune, Frederick purchased the property in 1895 and hired Charles McKim(of McKim, Mead and White, then the country’s leading architecture firm) to fashion a “country house” in whichthe family could entertain guests during the spring and fall.
Vanderbilt also used the property as a “gentleman’sfarm,” often spending hours among its gardens and specimen trees. The limestone façade features columns onall four sides. Stanford White created most of the interiors, which are intact and include an antique carved andpainted Venetian ceiling, 15th century Flemish tapestries, Ming vases, Renaissance chairs, and 16th centuryFlorentine chests.
The property, historically known as Hyde Park, was one of several homes owned by Frederick William Vanderbilt and his wife Louise Holmes Anthony. The 54-room Vanderbilt mansion was constructed between 1896 and 1899 and is an example of the Beaux-Arts architecture style. The mansion’s interiors archetypical of American Renaissance, blending European architectural salvage, antiques, and fine period reproductions representing an array of historical styles. It is a must-see for any history or architecture buff.
The historic site includes 211 acres of the original larger property that was once around 600 acres. Situated on land overlooking the Hudson River, the site has beautifully manicured lawns, formal gardens, woodlands, and numerous auxiliary buildings.
The Gardens
The Vanderbilt Mansion is home to Italian gardens detached from the house. The garden beds are arranged in a beautiful symmetrical style, true to Italian gardens. Frederick Vanderbilt himself added the rose garden which contained almost 2000 vintage rose bushes along with other kinds of roses.
Admission Fees
Vanderbilt Mansion admission is $10 per person. Tickets and visitor information are available in the Visitor Center located in the building near the parking lot. Children 15 and under are free.
The grounds and gardens are open everyday from 8 AM to 7 PM. Outside programming Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday (weather permitting). The Visitor Center is open everyday from 9 AM to 5 PM. The Mansion is currently open for limited tours Thursday through Monday between 10 AM and 4 PM.
