Vanderbilt Mansion, Hyde Park, NY

The Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site is a national historic landmark, designated so in 1940. It is owned and operated by the National Park Service. The 54-room mansion was one of several homes owned by Frederick William Vanderbilt and his wife Louise Holmes Anthony. It took 3 years to build, finished at the close of the 19th century. Sitting on 211 acres overlooking the Hudson River, the house is an example of the Beaux-Arts architecture style. The interior is a blend of European architectural salvage, antiques, and fine period reproductions representing an array of historical styles. The docent mentioned it is the smallest of the over 50 mansions constructed by the Biltmore families. I tried to capture as best I could, the grandeur of the home with its magnificent interior decor and imagined what it must have like spending a summer there back in the day. Truly a sight not to be missed if you are traveling to the area.

[@elizabethbrower640]

I remember seeing this place on a class trip in the early 1960s. That was one of the perks of growing up in the lower Hudson valley. There were so many historical sites in the valley and a short drive to manhattan to the museums too.

[@KandeShack]

The incredible attention to detail is what makes these homes so stunning!!

[@majormegapix]

Absolutely! I don't think it would be possible to duplicate today at any price. The little intricate details are just brilliant. One viewer mentioned 'too many close-ups'. I tried to capture some of those details as best I could specifically for the details.

[@maggiebillel8956]

So beautiful! very well done. Thank you!

[@andresinsurriaga876]

I'm so glad they've preserved it in its refined state. Otherwise some young lottery winner or high tech millionaire might tear the walls out for an open floor plan so that Mrs. Vanderbuilt could fry pancakes in front of her guests while wearing lycra.

[@majormegapix]

I'm sure it's happened to many historic homes but glad there are many like this that are preserved and protected.

[@elaineross426]

Lol

[@louiserose2609]

Used to run around on the grounds with my Irish Setter Robbie in early 1970's, New York photographer took photos of us for Sunday fall paper. Loved the ground as much as mansion back then. Thank you!

[@jacksplace6758]

I Loved my visit there while in college and walking through the entire mansion over looking the Hudson river. The wheel chair stood etched in my mind over 20 years now. Inspired I than traveled to Newport r.i & also loved the breakers mansion.

[@majormegapix]

I have also visited the Breakers and others in Newport, just amazing, but before my days of photography; I need to go back. My dream is to visit the Biltmore in Asheville NC. It is the largest of the Vanderbilt homes and is described as the largest home in the country.

[@jacksplace6758]

@@majormegapix @megapix true indeed the biltmore is one of my must visit destinations still yet to capture as i should've mentioned for being its so huge and as they say, The mansion has its own zip codes due to it being enormous in size.

[@annfisher3076]

i could remember walking down the stairs in a formal gown each evening .i have been regressed and I was Louse in that lifetime, I found Jim Santer was Frederick. We do look like them too. I have photos. You recognize through the eyes. The spirit re-enters the body through the Pinal Gland.. It was a boring lifetime. Money does not buy happiness. i am happy in this lilfetime as a Psychic Ann Fisher

[@jrgnc1]

Pineal, not pinal. This gland is responsible for melatonin production, sleep cycles and circadian rhythm. Why would a soul need to enter through a specific gland?

[@annfisher3076]

By entering this way you look you did before.The eyes do it.

[@judithmcbride4023]

Wonderfully Unique presentation!! Thoroughly enjoyed it!!

[@davidjenson7773]

Loved seeing this but distracted by fade outs.

[@njhawk89]

Awesome photography, beautiful production to celebrate an amazing part of the Gilded Age history! What was it like to live there? Some wonderful history in a book called "Fortune's Children: The Fall of the House of Vanderbilt". Homes like these were our Downton Abbeys! Wonderful to see this.

[@user-bo6bg4jt5p]

It's look like a USA white house. Beautiful house 🌻

[@bryanbrean3968]

Stunning! But nothing to what I have seen in Europe, especially Scotland, Northen England and parts of London. Scotland's scenery is magnificent and the normal house are impressive, built from solid stone and each different all along the street, quiet breathtaking.

[@majormegapix]

Right. Many of the large mansions here in the states were styled after what the owners had seen in Europe. Scotland as well as a Rhine castle river tour is on our bucket list.

[@lespangen]

When I visited several years ago I recall thinking what I thought was the living room was way too busy and crowded with knickknacks ( albeit the items were gorgeous) I have since learned it was Gilded Age chic to decorate that way😬What’s wonderful is that it was given to NPS with its original furnishings

[@majormegapix]

We remember thinking the same when visiting but, yes, the docent told us the same; they just loved to pile on the ‘Knick-knacks’. Very cool to see all the original pieces! I tried to capture some closeups to show the details.

[@MarcusAurelius7777]

NICE

[@kendraamara6824]

It's pretty but not my favorite. Too plain and I mean that in an odd way. For one, the furniture and decor doesn't match and secondly, the furniture isn't placed right in the rooms and around the home. But I see what they were trying for. Nice video and it's a piece of history and I'm always interested in that. Thanks again♡

[@majormegapix]

I liked the Breakers better but also of course, grander. I don’t know how much of the furnishings are original to house the or if they are in the original spots from the day. Regardless, it was beautiful to tour through.

[@jeffcorhn6613]

The transitions used between scenes are extremely distracting !!! They make me dizzy !!!

[@majormegapix]

Good point. I had not really considered it. In my editing software, I choose random transitions. I will select less distracting ones in future videos.

[@jrgnc1]

They don't bother me. You must be easily annoyed.

[@roberti6047]

Wow

[@high-endsecuritysystem.2817]

from High-endsecuritysystem Great video

[@high-endsecuritysystem.2817]

Thank you my name is High-endsecuritysystem.

[@kitkat2472]

Why don't we have explanations ? How frustrating !

[@majormegapix]

By design. I wanted to present a video as though you were walking around the grounds and through the house just taking it all in. There are plenty of videos with people describing the different areas and rooms.

[@kitkat2472]

Thank you but un France de like having a bit of historical details. However i enjoyed it very much.

[@monicagarcia4306]

Anderson cooper should open it up and house the homeless

[@majormegapix]

I read his mother was the end of the line, spent it all. She told him (his telling) when he was 8 or nine, he would get nothing when he was older and wouild have to live by his own wits.

[@jamieflener5410]

Too gawdy!

[@majormegapix]

True (for most people). Back in the day you had it or not. During the 'Guilded Age', for the wealthy, the bigger and gaudier the better to show off your wealth. The Vanderbilts were right up there at the top. However, doesn't make it any less spectacular to see it today.

[@jrgnc1]

And today, they'd probably think our decor styles are horrific! This was their concept of contemporary style back in the day.

[@bethsaida-2281]

Have you ever felt embarrassed of been so poor????

[@jackiebinns6205]

I hate the close ups ! Can't tell if your in a house or filming a picture

[@majormegapix]

That's a technique I developed over the years. I want people to see all the details as if they were able to be very close. I generally have a wide shot, possibly a medium-range, and then show an object close up. Oftentimes, those close-up details are left out/not shown in a tour venue.

[@derrickconnolly9164]

Well they certainly had plenty of meat.

[@jrgnc1]

The gilded age was all about recreating the lifestyle of aristocratic europe because America didn't have this legacy.

[@DavidJGillCA]

The video is nothing but closeups.

[@majormegapix]

That is by design. In a video presentation, I show a wider shot of a room (as an example) and tight shots of various objects or architectural features of the room.

[@pedromassobrioernyes5668]

Horrible place, really bad taste! Disconnected from reality! The owners clearly living an illusion! Very sad!

[@keridane9381]

Is thiS about the mansion or dead animal heads on the walls - disgusting! Tuned in for architecture & got death. Ugh! 58 seconds in & I'm out. Thumbs down.

[@aalb1873]

It seems to me decorations are in part British Victorian and part Second French Empire style with some touches of exoticism. The volumes of the building remember an Italian Renaissance palace and the exterior decorations a classic French palace.

[@daniel_sc1024]

As is typical Beaux Arts fashion, its a conglomeration of different styles.