We spent an amazing day touring the Biltmore Estate here in Asheville. The estate was built by George Vanderbilt the youngest of 3 sons of the elder Vanderbilt who became a billionaire in the shipping industry. The estate is on 8000 acres and was officially opened on Christmas Eve 1895. One of the most interesting rooms on the tour was the library that contains half of his 23,000 volume collection, which caused a New York Journalist to call George "the best read man in the country". Also in the library is a chess set and gaming table that was owned by Napoleon Bonaparte. George died in 1914 from complications of an appendectomy and his wife, Edith, continued to run the estate and raising her young daughter, Cornelia. In 1924 Cornelia married the Honorable John Francis Amherst Cecil, a British diplomat. Today, Biltmore remains a family business. Vanderbilt's grandson, William A.V. Cecil owns the Biltmore; his son William serves as CEO and his daughter, Diana Cecil Pickering, is vice-chair of the board of directors. Along with 1,800 employees, they continue the preservation of the estate. If you are ever in this area this is an absolute must to see.
No comments:
Post a Comment