The Biltmore Estate...

...in Asheville, North Carolina, bills itself as “America’s Largest Home” with its 250 rooms (175,000 square feet) set on the 8,000 acres which remain from George Vanderbilt’s original 100,000 acre purchase. The home is a French Renaissance-inspired chateau designed by George based loosely on three European castles. He was the grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt who built the family fortune in railroads and shipping. The Estate opened in 1895 after 7 years of planning and construction and the (then) bachelor George moved into this “second home” with its 50 servants. (more info available here.)



On the Ocala canoe Elderhostel two weeks ago, we met another Ellen, who resides in Asheville near the Biltmore. When we mentioned we were planning to tour the estate on our journey home, she related that she had been a trained guide for the home tours and would love to take us through the open rooms, and she did, displaying her passion for the property and knowledge of all things Biltmore. Thanks, Ellen! Below is a photo of the Biltmore with the two Ellens...



The original property encompassed all the land that you can see in this photo -- totaling 100,000 acres. Some was later sold and 85,000 acres were sold to the U. S. Forest Service by his widow in accordance with George's wishes that the land remain unaltered. That portion is now the Pisgah National Forest, but the views from the mansion remain as enjoyable as the views Vanderbilt enjoyed. At least 14 motion pictures have been filmed here.



There are 4 restaurants on the property and we treated Ellen to lunch at the Stable Cafe, which is adjacent to the house and indeed was the stable for the estate...



Photos are not allowed inside the mansion. The tour is self-guided and you can rent audio equipment which explains what you are looking at. Of course, we had our own personal guide, Ellen, and enjoyed her insights and information. The tour is comprehensive, with over 60 rooms that can be viewed on the four floors and basement level, with more rooms being readied for public viewing later this year. Examples of room names include billiard room, banquet hall, smoking room, gun room, winter garden, salon, music room, tapestry gallery, library (containing over 10,000 of the 23,000 books George owned), a number of the dozens of bedrooms (guest and servant), many of the dozens of fireplaces, bowling alley, swimming pool, gymnasium, walk-in refrigerators, canning pantry, pastry kitchen, rotisserie kitchen, laundry, and drying room.

Fredrick Law Olmsted, who designed New York’s Central Park and the grounds for Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair, completely reworked the Biltmore's grounds seen on the 3 mile approach to the mansion as well as much of the grounds surrounding the home. He also suggested and supervised the creation of the country’s first scientifically managed forest preserve, as well as the magnificent and extensive grounds and gardens, which unfortunately are winter-barren in March. We were allowed to tour the extensive conservatory/greenhouses which were rife with blooming plants and photograph in the building. Here we are in the conservatory...



...and below is one of the flowers abloom...



More Biltmore flower pictures can be found here.