Discovery of Edith Vanderbilt’s Christmas Gifts Ledger Posted on December 3, 2024 at 9:00 am.Written by Heather Angel “New Discoveries” is a standing agenda item during our Museum Services team’s monthly meeting. Rarely does a month go by without someone bringing something new to the meeting. And when it’s something that provides the answer to a long lingering assumption, “it’s like Christmas morning,” says Lauren Henry, Biltmore’s Curator of Interpretation. Christmas morning came in the spring of 2024 when Jill Hawkins and Caragh Koon, archivists on the team, presented a new finding at the April meeting. The find? Edith Vanderbilt’s century-old Christmas Gifts Ledger. Edith Vanderbilt’s legendary generosity during the holidays was exemplified by her thoughtful gift-giving to employees and their families. A Legacy of Generosity: Edith’s Holiday Spirit The stories about Edith’s generosity are legendary, especially during the holidays. She gave back to the community and showed her appreciation for her employees by selecting gifts for them and each of their children and giving out the gifts at the annual grand employee Christmas party, which is a tradition we continue to this day. We’ve known that Edith kept notes on the gifts she gave to each person from year to year to avoid duplications, but it wasn’t until this discovery of this gifts ledger that we have tangible proof that she indeed kept meticulous track. This historical treasure also reveals in charming detail more information about the gifts and their recipients. “It’s exciting to see the specificity of the gifts, and that every member of the household (for those living on-property) received a gift, not just the employees and their children, but also what appears to be employees’ parents and maybe even in some cases their servants,” Lauren says. More than 600 names are listed in Edith’s gifts ledger, which covers roughly the years 1909 to 1930. Many of the names are familiar to Lauren and the team since their work puts them in consistent contact with the estate’s vast collection of archival material. Despite its unassuming appearance, the well-worn Christmas gifts ledger, discovered among other accounting books, serves as a vital historical record showcasing Edith’s meticulous administrative skills. Exploring Edith’s Historical Record The Christmas ledger is typical-looking for its time and rather unassuming, yet between its covers exists an important historical record. The 12”x18” volume is covered in oxblood-colored leather binding, is slightly tattered, and missing a spine. Given its well-worn condition, it was surely a go-to source for Edith and her staff. Jill and Caragh happened to find it during an inventory project, blending in with other ledgers that served as cash books, accounts receivable records, and other accounting notes. Edith’s administrative skills are demonstrated throughout. Interior pages look like precursors to Excel spreadsheets, each distinguished by bookkeeping columns filled with beautiful, swirly cursive handwriting. Lauren has confirmed that there are two sets of handwriting in the ledger – neither of which are Edith’s, but that of her secretaries. At the top of the first page, in the right-hand corner, “ESV” is written in pencil, Edith’s initials – in Edith’s handwriting. The gifts ledger reveals a detailed account of recipients, tracking their ages and presents over the years, illustrating Edith’s deep understanding of the families she supported. Growing Up in the Gifts Ledger Down the left-hand column of each page is a list of names. To the right a column notates the person’s age, the year, and what gift they were given. As you move across the page to the right, you can track what that person received for several years in a row. Often, names are organized by family, with the parents’ names and ages first, then all the children and their ages listed below them. “It’s great to see in the ledger who those items went to… How those things changed as they grew up,” Lauren says. “You see a baby getting something like soap or diapers, or a toy or ball, and as they get older, they might get a hand mirror, perfume, makeup, a money safe. Here’s one for a boy named Neil. He was 7 months old, and he got socks, and then sandals, then a toy car, and then a ball at 3 years old.” Edith often gave clothing or practical household items, like an umbrella or a bookcase, to the adults on her list. One year a family received a set of books by Charles Dickens. “This helped her get to know the families better, by knowing how old they were and the kinds of things they liked,” Lauren says. It’s also a priceless record of Edith’s fondness for her employees and her attention to detail. Edith’s gifts ledger documentation extends beyond presents to include employee addresses and occupations, offering a comprehensive view of life on the estate and humanizing the Vanderbilts and their staff. Employee Details in Edith’s Documentation Edith’s documentation also includes employee addresses, their occupations, and in some cases, the data is indexed based on the department in which employees worked, like Landscaping. “This is one of the most complete documents we have for employees in this time period,” Lauren says. “It also further humanizes the Vanderbilts and the people who worked and lived on the estate.” Details from Edith’s ledger provide the team with fresh and new insights into the era and support their ongoing research to understand what life was like during the time when the Vanderbilts lived in Biltmore House. “We have the pleasure to make discoveries like this because we have such a huge archive – over 100 years’ worth. It’s fun for us to realize what we have here right under our noses,” Lauren says. A towering Banquet Hall Christmas tree is one of the many traditions spanning generations that you can experience for yourself with a Christmas visit. Experience Biltmore’s Christmas Traditions for Yourself This recent discovery of Edith’s Christmas gifts ledger not only sheds light on her generosity and excellent bookkeeping but also helps connect us all to Biltmore’s thoughtful holiday traditions that span generations. From the grand Banquet Hall tree to estate-wide decor and celebrations, we invite you to experience our beloved traditions when you visit this Christmas at Biltmore.
Edith Vanderbilt & Photography Posted on March 1, 2023 at 11:59 am.Written by Amy Dangelico Photography was one of Edith Vanderbilt’s many passions. In turn, her photographs of life at Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC help inform our curatorial interpretations today. With the introduction of roll film and the hand-held camera in the 1880s, photography became truly accessible to casual amateurs for the first time. There are a few distinct ways that we know that Edith embraced this new medium and enjoyed photography throughout her lifetime. Archival photograph of Edith Vanderbilt with a camera and tripod along the banks of the French Broad River, ca. 1905-1906. This photo was taken by Ernesto Fabbri during a photography excursion. Photos of Edith Vanderbilt with a Camera One of the most concrete ways we know of Edith’s interest in photography is thanks to photographs in the Biltmore collection in which she is pictured with a camera in hand. Many of these photos came from one series in particular. In the winter of 1905-1906, George Vanderbilt’s niece Edith Fabbri and her husband Ernesto visited Biltmore. During their trip, Edith Vanderbilt and Ernesto appear to have gone on a photography excursion on the estate and in nearby Biltmore Village. Multiple images from this series taken by Ernesto capture Edith with her camera and a tripod. Archival photograph of George Vanderbilt on a horse in front of Biltmore House. Reverse reads “Sept. 25th 1901, Taken, developed and printed, without help” in Edith Vanderbilt’s handwriting. Photos with Edith Vanderbilt’s Handwriting on the Back Additionally, there are more than a dozen photographs in our archival collection that we know were captured by Edith as her distinct handwriting is on the back of the images. Not only was she taking these photos, but Edith was also learning to develop many of them herself. She seemed very proud of this skill set, writing on the back of one photograph: “Taken, developed and printed, without help.” Three of the 14 copies of the archival photograph of George and newborn Cornelia Vanderbilt on the Loggia, October 1900. These photos were presumably taken by Edith Vanderbilt. Multiple Copies of Photos of Family Moments There are also many photographs we presume to have been taken by Edith, including shots of more intimate family moments. For instance, she was likely responsible for the images of George Vanderbilt with their newborn daughter Cornelia on the Loggia. In our archival collection, there are 14 copies of what appear to be essentially the same image from that series. However, each of the copies varies slightly in exposure and cropping, which speaks to Edith’s experimenting with development techniques as she worked to hone her craft. Edith Vanderbilt’s No. 4 Panoram Kodak camera Model B from ca. 1900-1903. This archival object is currently on display in The Biltmore Legacy as part of our “The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad” exhibition. Location of the Edith Vanderbilt’s Darkroom We know that Edith was developing her own photographs, but we do not know with certainty the location of the darkroom she used. One archival manuscript includes mention of a “Photograph Room” in the Bachelors’ Wing of Biltmore House. However, we’ve yet to find additional sources to confirm where this space was located and how it was used. There are also employee recollections of darkroom equipment being present in the Basement, though it is unclear if this was the location of the equipment when Edith lived in Biltmore House or if it was later moved. Our curatorial team continues to research this topic. While we may not know the full extent of Edith Vanderbilt’s engagement with the modern hobby of photography, her photographs—as well as others presumed to have been taken by her—offer glimpses into life at Biltmore during the Vanderbilts’ era that we would not have otherwise. Feature image: Archival photograph of Edith Vanderbilt with a camera and tripod in Biltmore Village, ca. 1905-1906. This photo was taken by Ernesto Fabbri during a photography excursion.
Biltmore’s Historic Honeymooners Posted on February 7, 2022 at 2:50 pm.Written by Heather Angel Did you know Biltmore has historically been the site of many honeymoons and romantic occasions? Perhaps it’s the warm, pink glow of the mountains as the sun sets over the Deer Park, the way the wind carries a sweet perfume from the gardens into the air, or the subtle whisper of a bottle of sparkling wine being masterfully uncorked nearby, but one thing is for sure—love is certainly in the air at Biltmore. From before construction of Biltmore House was completed all the way to our modern day guests who visit, there is no denying that this historic estate offers a desirable destination for a romantic getaway any time of year. Get to know some of Cupid’s earliest captives and the historic honeymooners who spent their precious time together at Biltmore many moons ago. Jay & Adele Burden’s Honeymoon Jay and Adele Burden honeymooned at River Cliff Cottage on Biltmore Estate, c. 1895 One of Biltmore’s earliest guests included newlyweds, Jay Burden and Adele Sloane, George Vanderbilt’s niece. The darling young couple spent their honeymoon with a romantic retreat to River Cliff Cottage at Biltmore in June of 1895, months before Biltmore House was completed. “Adele, actually Lila Sloane’s older sister, wrote about Biltmore being terribly romantic years before she married Jay Burden—it seems her opinion didn’t change!” says Meghan Forest, Biltmore’s Archives and Curatorial Assistant. Ernesto & Edith Fabbri’s Honeymoon Biltmore Honeymooners Ernesto and Edith Fabbri, c. 1896 Ernesto Fabbri and Edith Shepard, another one of George Vanderbilt’s nieces, celebrated their nuptials with a honeymoon at Biltmore after their 1896 wedding. Records indicate that Biltmore remained a special place for the Fabbris as they visited Biltmore six more times together over the next nine years, bringing along their children after they were born. George & Edith Vanderbilt’s Homecoming George and Edith Vanderbilt, c. 1900 George Vanderbilt was a bachelor when he first moved into Biltmore House. It would only be a few short years before he met his bride-to-be, Edith Stuyvesant Dresser. After whirlwind courtship abroad, George and Edith were married in Paris in a 15-minute civil ceremony on June 1, 1898. The couple honeymooned in Italy for three months before arriving home to Biltmore in October. Ever the romantic, a 1910 correspondence shows that George coordinated some modifications to Biltmore House as a surprise for Edith when she returned home from a trip abroad, including adding stairs by the Porte Cochere to provide access to a forest trail. Willie & Lila Field’s Honeymoon Biltmore Honeymooners Willie and Lila Field, c. 1902 One of George Vanderbilt’s closest comrades, William B. Osgood Field, was a frequent guest at Biltmore. During subsequent visits, “Willie” was introduced to one of George Vanderbilt’s nieces, Lila Sloane. It seems there was some matchmaking at play as the duo may have been deliberately encouraged to do activities together. The couple became engaged at Biltmore and spent their honeymoon on the estate, as well. An interest piece about the Willie and Lila Field honeymoon from society columnist “Cholly Knickerbocker” read: “[George Vanderbilt] is fond of paying this particular kind of compliment to his young relatives, and Biltmore, one of the most fairy-like country seats in this country, has been the scene of quite a number of honeymoons, and of the inauguration of what have turned out to be happy marriages. In this case the selection of Biltmore for the honeymoon will be especially appropriate. For it was there that Willie Field and Lila Sloan first plighted their troth and became engaged.” Cornelia & John F.A. Cecil’s Wedding Portrait of the Honorable and Mrs. John F.A. Cecil’s wedding party inside the Tapestry Gallery, c. 1924 Wedding bells rang as Cornelia, George and Edith Vanderbilt’s daughter, married the Honorable John Francis Amherst Cecil at All Souls Church in Biltmore Village on April 29, 1924. No detail was spared in this elaborate celebration that welcomed notable guests from around the globe and intrigued society columns. Biltmore is a Romantic Getaway for the Ages Romantic sunset view of the Deer Park from Biltmore’s Library Terrace Whether it’s warming up together by the fireside at The Inn on Biltmore Estate, taking a mini tropical vacation inside the Conservatory, marveling at the grandeur and history inside Biltmore House, sharing a sweet treat in Antler Hill Village, or spending time exploring the gardens and grounds at dusk, we can say confidently that Biltmore’s reputation as a romantic getaway for sweethearts has aged like a fine wine. No matter the time of year, we invite you to find, rekindle, or celebrate your love at Biltmore. For the ultimate romantic getaway, join us as an overnight guest at our four-star Inn, cozy Village Hotel, or one of our private historic Cottages and enjoy the beauty of this “fairy-like” country estate as George Vanderbilt intended.
Reflections of The Gilded Age at Biltmore Posted on January 13, 2022 at 12:40 pm.Written by Heather Angel The release of Sir Julian Fellowes’ series The Gilded Age on HBO and the 2022 “Gilded Glamour” theme for the Met Gala have brought renewed attention to a fascinating period in American History. We invite you to learn about it with a brief overview of the era and its connections to our very own Gilded Age estate: Biltmore. What was the Gilded Age? The Gilded Age is an era in American history from the 1870s to the turn of the century. It was marked by rapid economic expansion, particularly in industries such as railroads and manufacturing. Families such as Carnegie, Rockefeller, and Vanderbilt rose to new social prominence during this time, marking their ascendance with some of the grandest homes and most glittering parties the country had ever seen. Portrait of Cornelius “Commodore” Vanderbilt by Jared B. Flagg, c. 1879 (cropped) × Portrait of William Henry Vanderbilt by Jared B. Flagg, c. 1877 (cropped) × Photograph of George Vanderbilt, a scholar, collector, and patron of the arts who came of age during America’s Gilded Age × Vanderbilt family portrait by Seymour Guy titled Going to the Opera, c. 1873 × Vanderbilt Lineage: From New York to North Carolina The first Vanderbilt family member to gain prominence was Cornelius “Commodore” Vanderbilt—an entrepreneur from modest beginnings in Staten Island, New York. Cornelius spent his life building an empire based on shipping and railroad concerns. He and his wife Sophia Johnson had a sizable family with 13 children. Their eldest son was William Henry Vanderbilt, who married Maria Louisa Kissam and inherited the business after the Commodore’s death in 1877. William doubled the family fortune before he passed away nine years later. The youngest child of William and Maria was George Washington Vanderbilt, who wed Edith Stuyvesant Dresser in 1898, three years after the completion of Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina. HBO’s The Gilded Age showcases the highs and lows of a wide cast of characters ranging from old New York and Newport families to the newly wealthy members of their society–and everyone in between. You’ll no doubt notice many differences and similarities between the British world of Downton Abbey, its American counterpart in The Gilded Age, and our own story here at Biltmore Estate. Envisioned as a private oasis for family and friends, George Vanderbilt’s magnificent Biltmore House would become known as America’s Largest Home®. In addition to the house, this circa 1910 photo shows a view (L-R) of the Italian Garden, Esplanade, Front Lawn, and Stable Complex designed and landscaped by Richard Morris Hunt and Frederick Law Olmsted. × This silver Tiffany & Company tea set was a gift to George Vanderbilt from his mother and it is engraved with his and her initials. She gave him with the set—a gracious symbol of hospitality—to serve guests aboard Swannanoa, his private train car. × The grand Banquet Hall table set as ut would have been for a grand Gilded Age gathering at Biltmore House during the Vanderbilt era × The soaring Pellegrini Ceiling in the Library at Biltmore House. Depicted is “The Chariot of Aurora.” × Bringing Gilded Age Grandeur to Asheville During this era in American history, wealthy families, such as the Vanderbilts, had built multiple palatial homes in and around New York City. However, when George Vanderbilt was ready to build his grand home, he chose to create a country retreat for his friends and family in Asheville, North Carolina. Vanderbilt enlisted two distinguished designers of the era to help him bring his vision to life: Richard Morris Hunt and Frederick Law Olmsted. Together they created a distinctly European-style estate, but with an expansive feel and modern technologies that were hallmarks of the American Gilded Age. Gilded Age fashions of Edith Vanderbilt, recreated by CosProp, London, for Biltmore’s 2019 exhibition, A Vanderbilt House Party – The Gilded Age. × Gilded Age fashions of Edith Vanderbilt, recreated by CosProp, London, for Biltmore’s 2019 exhibition, A Vanderbilt House Party – The Gilded Age. × Recreation of a House of Worth gown worn by George Vanderbilt’s sister, Florence Vanderbilt Twombly, for Biltmore’s 2019 exhibition, A Vanderbilt House Party – The Gilded Age. × Gilded Age fashions of Jay and Adele Burden, recreated by CosProp, London, for Biltmore’s 2019 exhibition, A Vanderbilt House Party – The Gilded Age. × Glamorous fashions on the cover of the April 1912 and inside of the February 1913 issue of Les Modes magazines in Biltmore’s collection. × Gilded Age fashions of Edith Vanderbilt, recreated by CosProp, London, for Biltmore’s 2019 exhibition, A Vanderbilt House Party – The Gilded Age. × Cornelia and Edith Vanderbilt in Biltmore’s stables, c. 1917 × Gilded Age Fashions Fashionable ladies of the Gilded Age, such as Edith Stuyvesant Vanderbilt, followed magazines like Les Modes for the latest stylings from couture design houses in Paris and London. Thanks to our archives at Biltmore, we know that the Vanderbilts favored designers like Jeanne Paquin, Jacques Doucet, and the House of Worth. From strolling in the gardens at Biltmore to attending “fancy dress” balls, every ensemble worn by the ladies and gentlemen of the era would have been perfectly tailored and adorned with elegant accessories.
Experience Our Annual Biltmore Blooms Celebration Posted on March 27, 2021 at 12:00 am.Written by designsensory Enjoy this archived Biltmore Blooms content from Spring 2021! Experience our annual Biltmore Blooms celebration across the estate as winter loosens its grip to make way for spring! Gardens and grounds From the earliest flowering shrubs and vivid blooms in the Walled Garden–including this year’s colorful kaleidoscope of yellow, white, pink, purple, and red tulips in the patterned beds–to the glorious progression of color along the Approach Road, we’ve been delighting guests with our annual Biltmore Blooms celebration for more than three decades. The Approach Road to Biltmore House is lined with azaleas each spring The splendid spring show isn’t limited to the outdoors, however; our Floral and Museum Services teams have worked together to develop an “Art in Bloom” theme featuring beautiful arrangements throughout Biltmore House. Inspired by Biltmore’s collections “This year for Biltmore Blooms we are celebrating the fact that George Vanderbilt envisioned Biltmore not just as a home, but also as a platform to showcase the incredible works of art he collected,” said Leslie Klingner, Curator of Interpretation. “Vanderbilt developed a passion for art early in life,” Leslie said,” and he amassed an impressive collection. To highlight some of these amazing pieces, our floral team has created designs inspired by works throughout Biltmore House.” Art in Bloom “Each year during Biltmore Blooms, our floral designs reflect not only the welcome return of spring, but they also showcase the scale and grandeur of America’s Largest Home®,” said Lizzie Borchers, Floral Displays Manager. Floral designer Cristy Leonard creating a larger-than-life arrangement for the Third Floor Living Hall (design inspired by a painting of a ship in that room) “For ‘Art in Bloom’ in 2021, we envisioned flowers as the paints, pastels, and pencils of spring, turning our arrangements into works of art themselves,” Lizzie said. “When you visit this season, see how our designs highlight the colors, textures, shapes, and forms in the artwork.” A sneak peek at Biltmore Blooms details! In the Breakfast Room, Biltmore floral designer Lucinda Ledford drew inspiration from two works by Pierre-Auguste Renoir: Young Boy with an Orange, painted in 1881, and The Young Algerian Girl, painted in 1882. The vibrant colors of Renoir’s “Child with Orange” painting inspired the details of this floral arrangement for the Breakfast Room Giovanni Boldini’s lovely 1910 portrait of Edith Vanderbilt that hangs in the Tapestry Gallery near the entrance to the Library inspired floral designer Jodee Mitchell to create a sweeping arrangement featuring delicate white flowers and greenery. Design sketch for a Biltmore Blooms arrangement featuring lilies of the valley and other white flowers, inspired by Giovanni Boldini’s stunning portrait of Edith Vanderbilt Based on the series of mid-16th-century Renaissance tapestries detailing the history of Roman mythological gods and goddesses in Biltmore’s Banquet Hall, floral designer Cristy Leonard developed a glorious spring centerpiece befitting the massive table in that room. Cristy carefully selects each element in an enormous Biltmore Blooms floral arrangement for the Banquet Hall table These are just a few of the wonderful arrangements in Biltmore House this spring; there are countless others to discover! Experience Biltmore Blooms this spring Visit now and enjoy spring across our 8,000 acres! Experience all the excitement of Biltmore Blooms included with your daytime admission to Biltmore. Make required Biltmore House reservations now while your preferred dates and times are still available, and experience the spectacular seasonal show in our historic gardens. In addition to Biltmore Blooms, enjoy the delights of Biltmore Gardens Railway in the Conservatory and Stickwork by Patrick Dougherty in Antler Hill Village, also included in daytime admission.
More than a Hostess: Honoring Edith Vanderbilt Posted on February 21, 2020 at 4:02 pm.Written by Amy Dangelico At the age of 25, Edith Vanderbilt married the nation’s most eligible bachelor and assumed her role as lady of America’s Largest Home®, responsible for ensuring the comfort and entertainment of Biltmore’s many guests. And yet, she was so much more than a hostess. Let’s take a look at some of Edith Vanderbilt’s most incredible efforts and achievements. Students of the Biltmore School of Domestic Science, ca. 1901 Biltmore School of Domestic Science In 1901, Edith Vanderbilt established the Biltmore School of Domestic Science, which trained young Black women in professional housekeeping. The intention behind this initiative was two-fold: to help satisfy the increasing demand for efficient domestic service in the area at the time, and—more importantly to Edith—to help women with socio-economic challenges to become gainfully employed. Coursework covered the duties of a maid, waitress, laundress, cook, and housekeeper; if a student showed a preference for a special line of work, she was given the necessary training to develop that skillset. Additionally, the school created a network to increase its graduates’ prospects of finding work: “The graduating classes form a society for houseworkers. The purpose of this society is mutual help, by raising the respect of the general public for such work and workers…Any positions that are vacant if in good families will be reported, and an effort be made to fill them from among the members of the society.” – The Home Science Magazine, Volume XX, October 1903–March 1904 Archival list of 1906 Biltmore Estate Exhibition prize winners and first and second prize ribbons Biltmore Estate Exhibition In order to nurture a sense of community among estate employees and their families, Edith organized the Biltmore Estate Exhibition, also referred to as the annual fair, in 1905. She distributed seeds as needed to all of the employees to ensure everyone could participate in the competitions. Some of the initial categories included vegetables and herbs, field crops, domestic products such as breads and preserves, needlework, and baskets. Categories later expanded to include flowers, hogs, and poultry as well as a miscellaneous category to include eggs, honey, and various other items. Prizes included ribbons and a variety of garden books. Though Edith was in London during the 1907 event, estate superintendent Chauncey Beadle wrote to her: “Not another day shall pass without a full report to you of the Exhibition, which was celebrated in the grove above the Farm Cottages yesterday afternoon with the most auspicious weather that it was possible to have. The attendance and exhibits were very satisfactory, and, I believe all who participated enjoyed the day, the social intercourse and objects which were displayed.” Thanks to oral histories, we know that the fairs continued into the 1940s. Students of the Biltmore Dairy Moonlight School, ca. 1920s (Photo courtesy of the McCarson Family) Biltmore Dairy Moonlight School In 1914, Edith founded the Biltmore Dairy Moonlight School to teach illiterate estate workers how to read and write. Her larger intention was to attack the underlying causes of economic inequality and disenfranchisement. Classes were taught by Columbia University interns and graduates, who were receiving arguably the best teacher training in the nation at the time. Edith Vanderbilt personally selected the textbook used at the school and even taught a class from time to time: “It is an interesting picture: one of the world’s richest women… teaching dairy workers how to read and write in a horse barn in the mountains of North Carolina.” – “Aristocracy and Appalachia: Edith Vanderbilt and Her Moonlight School” (2011) by Wilkie L. Whitney While Biltmore’s was certainly not the first moonlight school, the model Edith pioneered was so effective, it inspired the foundation of many similar programs across North Carolina—all with the support of Edith as their most vocal advocate. Edith Vanderbilt (second from right) and her fellow Red Cross volunteers, ca. 1917–1919 (Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress: American National Red Cross Collection) Red Cross Efforts during the Great War When the United States became involved in the first World War, Edith Vanderbilt was splitting her time between Biltmore and Washington, DC—but no matter where she was, she always found ways to support the Red Cross during this turbulent time. While in Asheville, she sponsored a golf tournament to raise funds for the Red Cross. “The trophy was the gift of Mrs. Edith Vanderbilt, the rules providing that all entrance fees went to the Red Cross, and that no trophies should be given unless donated.“ – “Carolina Mountains Having Great Season,” The Times Dispatch, 19 August 1917 While in Washington, DC, she volunteered with the Red Cross as part of a Canteen Unit, which provided hot coffee, light refreshments, and mail services to troops at railroad junctions. True to form, Edith was recognized for going above and beyond at her Canteen’s encampment: “Mrs. George Vanderbilt is quite wonderful, so cool and collected and executive. She took her motor and went off shopping, bought some extra equipment, a table for the tent to hold the telephone, some camp chairs, a rake to rake up the trash, a pump to pump the water into the cauldron, a mail bag, stamps, wire baskets; besides, she organized the post-office.” – Presidents and Pies: Life in Washington 1897–1919 (1920) by Isabel Anderson Edith Vanderbilt arriving at the first State Fair during her tenure as president, ca. 1921 First Female President of the North Carolina Agricultural Society In 1920, Edith Vanderbilt was elected the first female president of the North Carolina Agricultural Society as well as the 60th State Fair. Her first address in the role was one for the books. “Anti-suffragists who have feared woman’s entrance into politics found themselves happy today when Mrs. Edith Vanderbilt made about the smartest 15-minute speech to a joint session of the general assembly heard within the historic walls of the state house in a long time…explaining in the outset that it would be like the modern skirt, to the extent that its length would cover the subject and its brevity attract attention. She was right.” – “Woman Makes First Address to Legislature,” The Charlotte Observer, 3 February 1921 Under her leadership, the State Fair focused more on agriculture as opposed to sideshows. Edith traveled and wrote widely to promote the event and help attract exhibitors. She also led initiatives to improve the fairgrounds. She would ultimately be re-elected to lead the 1922, 1923, and 1924 fairs, and then continued to serve on the executive committee following her tenure as president. Edith Vanderbilt (center) and her daughter Cornelia (left of center) greet guests arriving in Biltmore Village, ca. 1924 More than a Hostess Beyond her duties as wife, mother, and lady of the house, Edith Vanderbilt felt a great responsibility towards her community. She was passionate about education, agriculture, and literacy. She was active in civic affairs at the local, state, and national level. Perhaps most impressive, she used her privilege to support those in need and the causes in which she so strongly believed. Cheers to this extraordinary woman! Feature image: Edith Vanderbilt gathering letters from soldiers while volunteering for the Red Cross, ca. 1918 (Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress: American National Red Cross Collection)
Biltmore Wines Have Big Personalities Posted on August 25, 2017 at 4:00 pm.Written by Ellie Garst From flavor to food-friendliness, we’ve always believed that Biltmore wines have big personalities. To highlight North Carolina Wine Month in May, we’re pairing five of the estate’s historic VIPs with a distinctive Biltmore wine that best matches their own larger-than-life personalities! ~ George Washington Vanderbilt ~Antler Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley George Vanderbilt (left; portrait by John Singer Sargent) was a thoughtful collector of wines whose legacy continues to inspire our handcrafted Biltmore wines today. Mr. Vanderbilt was known as a thoughtful collector of wine, often bringing back cases of his favorite discoveries from his world travels to share with friends and family at Biltmore. Handcrafted from exceptional grapes grown by phenomenal vineyard partners in California’s Napa Valley, our full-bodied Antler Hill Cabernet Sauvignon is as refined and elegant as George Vanderbilt himself. ~ Edith Stuyvesant Vanderbilt ~ Biltmore Reserve Chardonnay North Carolina Our Biltmore Reserve Chardonnay is an elegant match for this glorious Boldini portrait of Edith Vanderbilt Handcrafted from North Carolina’s finest locally grown Chardonnay grapes, this wine is full-bodied with good acidity highlighted by citrus and tropical fruit flavors. Only vintage wines worthy of the Biltmore Reserve name earn this select honor, and the excellence of this Biltmore Reserve Chardonnay North Carolina reflects the gracious character of Edith Vanderbilt who, in turn, symbolizes the heart of Biltmore and all that the estate represents. ~ Cornelia Vanderbilt Cecil ~Biltmore Estate Blanc de Noir Cornelia Vanderbilt Cecil exemplifies the Roaring Twenties spirit of our Biltmore Estate Blanc de Noir Born in 1900, Cornelia Vanderbilt would come of age in the Roaring Twenties, a time characterized by the effervescent enthusiasm of the American Jazz Age. Our Biltmore Estate Blanc de Noir sparkling wine captures the joie de vivre of this exciting era in a crisp, sparkling wine with a delightful light pink hue and flavors of cherries and strawberries. ~ Richard Morris Hunt ~The Hunt Red Blend Sonoma County The Hunt Red Blend is named in honor of Biltmore architect Richard Morris Hunt The name of our richly-layered and refined Bordeaux-style red blend already honors Richard Morris Hunt, the architect of America’s Largest Home®, so it’s no surprise that it also represents his dynamic personality! Aging for 18 months in French and American oak barrels gives The Hunt great structure, just like Biltmore—the magnificent estate that Hunt designed for George Vanderbilt. ~ Frederick Law Olmsted ~Biltmore Estate Limited Release Sauvignon Blanc Biltmore Estate Limited Release Sauvignon Blanc reminds us of Biltmore landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Known as the father of American landscape architecture, Frederick Law Olmsted planned the breathtaking gardens and grounds that surround Biltmore. With classic grassy and herbal varietal characteristics, Sauvignon Blanc is a perfect partner for such an accomplished horticulturalist, and our Biltmore Estate Sauvignon Blanc—refreshing and unexpectedly creamy with hints of toasted coconut, key lime, and oak—is no exception. Find our award-winning wines online Put Biltmore wines on your “bucket list” for summer sipping! Stock up on your favorites Biltmore wines now and discover new varietals at estate shops, local retailers, and online. Featured image: Photograph of Edith Vanderbilt paired with Biltmore Reserve Chardonnay North Carolina