Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site

June 7, 2021 The mansion remains closed at this time. The Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00 to 5:00 for restroom access and for information, brochures, trail maps and National Park Service Passport stamps. ... Fully vaccinated visitors to federal buildings and federal lands are no longer required to wear masks. Visitors who are not fully vaccinated (less than 2 weeks past the final dose), should continue to wear a mask in federal buildings and when they cannot social distance out of doors. Park grounds including the parking lot and trails are available from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm. For current information on park operations please go to our website: www.nps.gov/VAMA or continue to follow us on Facebook. #findyourpark #besafe #NPSHydePark

On Rails, On Film, On Stage Due to the famous nature of the 20th Century Limited, it is no surprised it is an inspiration for the arts. Numerous times, as a matter of fact. In 1932, Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur wrote a play titled ‘Twentieth Century’. In summary, a Broadway producer takes the Century to escape creditors, determined to create a new hit on Broadway. Also, on board, is his old protégé and former paramour. Hijinks ensue. The play has been revived twice and became a movie. The film premiered in 1934, starring John Barrymore and Carole Lombard. It is recognized, alongside ‘It Happened One Night,’ as a prototype for the screwball comedy film. It even became a Broadway musical, with the latest adaptation being produced in 2015, starring Kristin Chenoweth. #20thCenturyLimited #TrainTravel #OnFilm #OnStage

Flight of the Century is a promotional film made by the New York Central in 1935. It depicts the 20th Century Limited at the time, what it was like to ride, and what it took to maintain it. It follows the train from the yard, from Chicago to New York City. It is not only a glimpse into the heyday of rail travel, but also into what American society was like during this time. #20thcenturylimited #NewYorkCentral #railroadhistory #traintravel https://youtu.be/kOzVdzte8gY

The Decline of the 20th Century Limited The New York Central would reequip the 20th Century Limited in 1948 with new cars front to back. The Central ordered many new passenger train equipment, expecting the WWII traffic surge to continue after the war. However, automobiles and airliners became popular, and eventually surpassed rail travel. The Central did its best, but it couldn’t avoid the tide of progress. One by one, its passengers’ trains were cancelled. But the Cent...ury held on, with tip top service maintained until the end. The New York Central, rather than seeing its flagship downgraded in services to being a local train, cancelled it in 1967. The last Century left Grand Central on December 18th. The New York Central would be gone the following year, becoming Penn Central. Today, America’s passenger trains are operated by Amtrak. Its New York Central to Chicago train is the ‘Lake Shore Limited’, which is an old New York Central name, however it does not compare to the 20th Century. Thankfully, both original 1948 observation cars still exist. One, ‘Hickory Creek’, is preserved in New Jersey, and is available for charter. One can still catch a glimpse of what many consider the greatest train. #20thCenturyLimited #Railroad #railroadhistory #NYCRR #Vanderbilt #NPSHydePark #traintravel

#MuseumMonday Rehabilitation of the historic Pavilion at Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site is underway. Through this project, the National Park Service will address the maintenance backlog of this 125-year-old facility that today serves as the park’s visitor center. The Pavilion was built in 1895 to serve as a sporting lodge and guest house. The Vanderbilts, intent on residing at Hyde Park while the mansion was under construction, required that the Pavilion be erecte...d quickly. The task was completed in a remarkable 66 days, facilitated in part by cost-effective solutions inspired by the temporary architecture of the international world’s fairs. One innovation is found in the building porticos. They are supported by brick pillars concealed by decorative columns made of a material called staff. Sometimes described as counterfeit marble, staff is a mixture of plaster, jute fibers, horsehair, and other ingredients. It was employed most notably to form the classical facades of the buildings at the 1889 Paris Exposition Universelle and Chicago’s 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Its use on the Vanderbilt Pavilion is a rare surviving example, and this project will ensure its preservation. Maintaining the roads and bridges, visitor centers, historic buildings, gardens, and trails that make the park such an incredible place to visit is an enormous task. Addressing the maintenance backlog is a critical focus area of our core mission to preserve parks and provide a world-class visitor experience. Over its 125-year history, the Pavilion has endured many cycles of maintenance and repair. Most recently, a 2015 project addressed the roof, chimneys, and the skylight. The current project will restore the "Captain's Walk" roof balustrade, replace missing shutters, repair the columns, doors, and windows, and address damaged or missing areas of pebble dash stucco siding. The wood trim will receive a fresh coat of paint and the pebble dash will receive a protective, breathable lime-wash coating. Unlike the architectural counterparts at the international world’s fairs, the Vanderbilt Pavilion has been preserved for over a century and highlights the unique innovations used in construction at the time, said Superintendent Amy Bracewell. The preservation of this structure is not only important in its reflection of the lifestyle of the Vanderbilts who lived here, but provides insight into the historic construction materials and methods used in 1895. The Pavilion Visitor Center will remain open with limited access during construction. For more information on the park’s operating hours and things to do, visit www.nps.gov/vama. #FindYourPark #EncuentraTuParque #NPSHydePark #VanderbiltMansion #HudsonValleyNY #NationalParkService

#fathersday2021 We know very little about Louise Vanderbilt's family and only recently, in the last 5 years learned Mrs. Vanderbilt's real age and birthday. We also recently posted about her grandfather on her mother's side, Dr. Jabez Holmes. What we do know about her father comes from a tribute to him in the New York Times after his death in May of 1874.... May 29, 1874 An unusual gloom was thrown over this community by the sudden death of Mr. Charles L. Anthony on Tuesday evening last. No man in the city could be more respected or universally beloved. His high character as a general and judicious adviser among his friends endeared him to them all. As a merchant, he was distinguished for the highest sense of honor, and a stern integrity which was almost proverbial. His success as a merchant was equaled by few men who have ever lived in New York. His generous charities were exercised wherever there was distress, or a reasonable demand for any object calculated to advance public or private good; and they were exercised not only with entire freedom from all ostentation, but with a desire to be unknown. His name commanded general confidence, as he was well known to be a true and faithful man. His whole character was as lovely and gentle as a woman's, combined with perfect firmness and great decision, making him on all occasions the desired companion of the young and old. The poor and distressed never to him appealed in vain. But no one can describe the grief of his afflicted family. The idolized husband and father whose princely indulgence knew no limit but their happiness has gone and gone forever. It is not even for the friends who have, through the long years, proved his tried and valued friendship to speak of their sorrow when they compare their loss, severe at it is, with that of his immediate family. #LouiseHolmesVanderbilt #CharlesLAnthony #FathersDay Photo of Louise Vanderbilt Photo of Charles Lee Anthony Monument at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx.

Have you finished your shopping? What to get the person who has everything or hard to buy for? How about a cigar piercer? Frederick Vanderbilt had 3 humidors in the mansion, all located in his small office, as you enter the mansion to the left. Long ago rangers used to say you could smell the cigar smoke in the mansion and sometimes the occasional visitor. Can you spot two of the humidors in the photo from the NY Times?... From our collection: Tiffany & Co. Sterling silver, thought to be a cigar piercer modeled after a lantern on the Strozzi Palace, Florence. What do you think? #VanderbiltMansion #cigarsmoker #humidor #FrederickVanderbilt #HydeParkNY #NPSHydePark

Vanderbilt Mansion grounds will be closed December 24th & 25thVanderbilt Mansion grounds will be closed December 24th & 25th

While digitizing the parks photo collection our curators came upon these gems from either 1939 or 1940. We especially like the men shoveling the snow off the roof of the mansion. #winterstorm #VanderbiltMansion #HistoricPhotos #Curatorial #snow #winter #NPSHydePark #BeWellStaySafe

The grounds of Vanderbilt Mansion will reopen at 8:00 on Saturday morning. The Visitor Center will be open for restroom access from 9:00 to 3:00. Please be mindful of the potential for slippery surface when you visit.

Today, we celebrate 80 years in the National Park Service! Over the years we have given tours to hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world. We are often asked the same questions over and over, but we know every tour is different (no scripts) and every visitor comes here for different reasons; their love of architecture, interest in the Gilded Age, fascination with the Vanderbilt family, to get their NPS Passport stamped, to walk the grounds and see the stunni...ng views of the Hudson River. As rangers, we love to talk and interact with visitors and share our knowledge of the site, but this year has been difficult for those of us in the ranger/guide business. To help us and our visitors get through these tough times, please enjoy the World Premiere of, "Fire Aside Chat: A Gilded Age Noir." #HappyAnniversary #VanderbiltMansion #NationalParkService #NationalHistoricSite #NPSHydePark #GildedAge #HudsonValley National Park Service #Noir

At Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site Park grounds, including the parking lot and trails, continue to be available from 8 am to 6 pm. Temporary portable restrooms are available near the visitor center. With public health in mind, the Vanderbilt mansion, park visitor center and museum shop remain closed at this time. Our staff observes all social distancing guidance and encourages you to as well in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. For current information on par...k operations please go to our website: www.nps.gov/VAMA or continue to follow us on Facebook. #findyourpark #besafe #NPSHydePark

Well, we have finally arrived.....on YouTube! Check out our new channel and follow us (NPS Hyde Park) for the latest from the Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Hist...oric Sites. We are starting with our "Fireside Chat" series. You can view our introduction video and the second video, "FDR and the Banking Crisis." We have much more to come so Stay Tuned....and stay safe! #firesidechat #FDR #npshydepark #findyourpark #FindYourVirtualPark https://youtu.be/OQ6QuJ-OZVQ

#fridaygetaway In 2020 we've all stayed home and thought about planning our next vacation, holiday, day trip or getaway; perhaps even a trip to the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site. In 1922 the Vanderbilt's applied for a passport for a trip to Europe: Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Italy!... In February of 1923 they applied for an extension of 1 year. "The American Grand Tour became popular in the 19th-century, but the Grand Tour was originally an aristocratic British tradition in the 17th and 18th century. The wealthy citizens of America who took these tours saw themselves as heirs of a great Western Tradition. During these tours, Americans would collect works from the ancient Greek and Roman past, as well as, the Renaissance to bring back home as a way of honoring their Western and European roots." Excerpt taken from - an online exhibit produced in ARTH 470z at the University of Mary Washington, 2008 Image: The Doges' Palace and Piazza San Marco, Venice, oil on canvas by Canaletto; in the Uffizi Gallery, Florence. Scala/Art Resource, New York https://www.britannica.com/biography/Canaletto/images-videos

#ThrowbackThursday We didn't throw too far back this week... 2014 and 2020... #autumn #autumninnewyork #ilovenewyork #whitebridge #vanderbiltentrance

Passport to Your National Parks Choose Your Own Adventure Hike This exciting virtual event not only gives you a great excuse to hit the trail, you will also be supporting our Passport to Your National Parks program that invests in education programs and experiences in some of your favorite national parks. Event ends on October 25th. https://americasnationalparks.org/passport-to-your-nationa/... Don't forget we have over 9 miles of trails to hike here in Hyde Park. Visit our website for trail information and maps: https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/hyde-park-trail-end2end.htm

#DYK Louise Vanderbilt and Franklin D. Roosevelt share a common ancestor? John Howland may not be as famous as William Bradford, John Carver and Myles Standish, notable passengers on the Mayflower that landed in Massachusetts in 1620.... Yet Howland probably had a greater impact on the history of the United States than any of them. Howland boarded the ship as a servant of Carver, the first governor of the New Plymouth Colony, but he almost never made it to the New World. He fell overboard in the middle of the Atlantic during a gale but grabbed a trailing rope and was hauled back aboard by sailors using boat hooks. Howland and his eventual wife, fellow Mayflower passenger Elizabeth Tilley, had 10 children and more than 80 grandchildren. Now, an estimated 2 million Americans can trace their roots to him. Howland's direct descendants include three presidents Franklin Roosevelt, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush as well as former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin; poets Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow; actors Alec Baldwin, Humphrey Bogart, and Christopher Lloyd; Mormon church founder Joseph Smith; and child care guru Dr. Benjamin Spock. There are so many Howland descendants that they have their own club The Pilgrim John Howland Society with about 1,200 members. FDR's 5x Great Grandfather was John Howland and Elizabeth Tilley. Their son, Joseph Howland was FDR's 4x Great Grandfather. Louise Vanderbilt's 6x Great Grandfather was John Howland and Elizabeth Tilley. Their daughter, Desire Howland was Louise Vanderbilt's 5x Great Grandmother. Are you related to FDR or Louise Vanderbilt through John Howland and his wife Elizabeth? #DYK #FDR #LouiseVanderbilt #Mayflower

Yay it’s #FalaFriday! Hi Everyone! I’m Yen. I live primarily in New York City, but I come up here to visit my grandparents, escape the concrete, find some good grass to roll around in, and of course to see these breathtaking views! I love living in the city but nothing beats how refreshing the Hudson Valley is! The rangers told me that the Vanderbilts typically did the same thing, but I can’t imagine they chased squirrels nearly as much as I do I learned that the Vanderbi...lts were a nouveau-riche family during the Gilded Age of America, a time period spanning the late 19th century to the early 20th century. Life for a prominent family during the Gilded Age consisted of unimaginable wealth, costume balls, arranged marriages, and the establishment of the American aristocracy. The Vanderbilts found themselves eager to prove to old money families like the Astors that they should also be included among society’s elite. They attended operas during NYC’s winter social season and moved to the countryside as the seasons changed. That’s how Frederick and Louise found their Spring and Fall home here in the Hudson Valley! You can see why they chose it, just look at this view! I can’t be the only one that loves just sitting here and admiring it! Rangers said this view was in part made famous by artists like Johann Hermann Carmiencke who sketched it in 1856, nearly 40 years before the Vanderbilts bought the property! It was fashionable that a Gilded Age family have multiple residences. Between Frederick and his siblings, they famously built 43 opulent mansions. Frederick and Louise had built country homes in the Adirondacks, Bar Harbor in Maine, and Newport Rhode Island, but this estate in Hyde Park is the only preserved Gilded Age mansion in the National Park Service. To learn more on the Vanderbilt family and their story of parties, riches, architecture, and philanthropism, visit the grounds of the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park today and attend a ranger talk on the back portico. Be sure to bring your Bark Ranger by anytime for a chance to be featured on our next #FalaFriday!

#throwbackthursday Picture 1 - The Langdon House, view from the West - built by Walter Langdon in 1845 (Photo Franklin D. Roosevelt Library) Picture 2 - The Vanderbilt Mansion, view from the North (Hyde Park) c.1898 - replaced the Langdon House (NPS)... Picture 3 - The Vanderbilt Mansion, view from the West (Hyde Park) today (NPS) Notice any similarities between the Langdon House and Hyde Park? #FindYourPark #NPSHydePark #NPS

Don't forget to #hashtag us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram when you visit us. #VanderbiltMansion #NPSHydePark #Overlook #HydeParkNY #autumninnewyork #FindYourPark

In 1890, the Bard Rock parcel was acquired by Samuel B. Sexton, where he lived until the main house was consumed by fire in 1899. In 1905, Frederick Vanderbilt purchased this tract reuniting it to Hyde Park estate grounds as it had been during earlier ownership. Vanderbilt removed numerous buildings from the area, including the Boat Captain’s cottage, a pumphouse, and several buildings along the hill to the east. Vanderbilt retained only a Boat House (removed by the National ...Park Service in 1953). To read more about Bard Rock visit our website at: https://www.nps.gov/vama/learn/historyculture/bard-rock.htm Image: Samuel B. Sexton's boat house, on Bard's Rock, at Hyde Park, N.Y., ca. 1900. Photograph by Charles Sylvester Piersaull. Courtesy Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library.

Don't forget to join the discussion for Chapter 2 of Fortune's Children - The Fall of the House of Vanderbilt. Go to the Event page for Chapter 2: The Blatherskite 1877-1883 and click discussion.

Happy 136th Eleanor Roosevelt!

Just in time for autumn, we have posted a guide to many of the trees here on the grounds of the Vanderbilt's Hyde Park. If you look for them all you'll spend about an hour on the task. Check it out here: https://www.nps.gov/vama/planyourvisit/outdooractivities.htm