Secrets of the Biltmore Estate, George Vanderbilt 1895, PART TWO

This is part two of Secrets of Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. It was built between 1888 and 1895 by George W. Vanderbilt.

[@wendybenson5903]

Oh that outdoor swimming pool was beautiful!!!

[@annhitchcock3093]

I highly recommend a visit here. I have been many times and I would still go back! Thank you for the lovely tours!

[@maryg.249]

That bowling alley! Wow. They tried to think of everything for themselves and their guests. Thank you for the tour. I hope I can visit it someday. Mary

[@RagtopHistorian]

Thanks, Mary! It’s quite the home!

[@lordnelson2.069]

I was there last month…. Amazing setting ! Spectacular setting and a lot more secrets

[@RagtopHistorian]

Yes, so many secrets! I am still discovering them!

[@pineappletacos4727]

Them choosing to fill in the swimming pool, we were told, was due mostly because it wasn’t original to the house (although I remember going as a child when the pool was still there). That area hosted a Summer Concert Series where artists like Carol King and James Taylor performed. No idea if the still do those or not. What struck me as odd was the pool being filled in for not being original it yet they added on a HUGE three story addition off the back of the Stable Cafe that houses kitchens on the upper floors and (I believe) a pastry kitchen on the lower level. The place has always (and still does) fascinated me. Working there was so much fun.

[@rustybearden1800]

I have heard mentioned that the basement swimming pool could be filled in minutes from an inlet directly from the French Broad River and could be emptied just as quickly.

[@pineappletacos4727]

I never understood why George and Edith each had their own bedrooms. Even when I worked there (which the training provided was quite extensive - they wanted any employee to be able to answer any questions a guest may have) no one could ever explain that. Some said it was customary for couples to sleep in different rooms during the era but I’ve not heard anything from then to support that.

[@t_r_a_c_y_aka_gigi9846]

The Halloween room: In April 1924, Cornelia Vanderbilt married the Honorable John Francis Amherst Cecil. In 1925, the couple spent weeks painting the walls for a New Years Eve party.

[@RagtopHistorian]

That was the story I have heard for years. However, more research by the Biltmore team has put that story in doubt. I don't think we will ever know the exact story behind the room. We just need to appreciate the mystery of it. Thanks so much for watching and your comment!

[@wickedree3639]

The swimming pool room is creepy

[@12345678927164]

It’s where they took them. Well, one of many places. Pizza and hotdogs.

[@TheMightyCookieShow]

I absolutely love this property I wish the tickets hadn't got out of control to go to see it because my wife and I had started a tradition of going there every Christmas for the lighting thing but nowadays the tickets are up like close to $100 a piece when we first started it was 40 it's just too expensive to go now. Unfortunately but this place is still where I'm going to be bugging out when the zombies rise so I'll meet y'all there and we'll rebuild Society together

[@theresaann7388]

I toured the Biltmore house back in the 80s. And the tickets then were $25 a piece. So, yeah, I'm not surprised they've gone up that much.

[@russvoight1167]

The library is supposedly haunted, especially on stormy nights

[@RagtopHistorian]

I wouldn’t be surprised!

[@ILoveManCity.]

Incredible ❤️, one question , where is the basement entrance?

[@RagtopHistorian]

I’m sure there is one, but that is one secret I do not have the answer to! Thanks so much for watching!

[@ILoveManCity.]

@@RagtopHistorian 👍🏻thanks for answering. and from where do you enter the basement on yourwalk-through?

[@wesballard7602]

@@ILoveManCity. there is a back stairway form the first floor. The basement also can be entered form the side and rear near the original horse stables on one end of the house, that is for employees only.

[@ronaldseifert3081]

where is the vault?

[@RagtopHistorian]

I have never heard about one. Even on the behind the scenes tour a vault or safe is never mentioned. George Vanderbilt never worried about money. He never paid his own bills. Someone else did that. Arguably his entire home was a vault. It was chock full of priceless tapestries, European art, and other treasures. Thanks so much for the question! If I find something else out I will let you know!