Sounds like an interesting book. Was the Consuelo Vanderbilt story included? I like to tour the Newport mansions and it's a biggie there, obviously. Here's a quick write-up about it: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5159494
Oh yes, there's a great deal about Consuelo. That's her on the book cover. She was not only filthy rich, but gorgeous. Her mother, Alva Vanderbilt, was one of the first prominent American women to sue for divorce and she subsequently also married a British Lord. During her marriage to the Duke of Marlborough, Consuelo was the châtelaine of Blenheim Palace, the most beautiful and the largest home still in private hands in England. The Breakers, built by Consuelo's uncle, Cornelius Vanderbilt is the most well-known of the Newport "cottages."
Many of the great homes are open for tourists. If you go, be sure the visit The Elms, summer home of coal millionaire Edward Berwind. Also, you'd love the magnificent Marble House, summer home of Consuelo's parents, Alva and William Vanderbilt.
If you're interested and have the time, there are some wonderful video tours of the mansions HERE.
I've been to the mansions many times. I never get tired of them, and when people come to visit I like to take them up there for a couple of days so we can see how the other half lived. I'm just sorry that Hammersmith Farm, the Auchincloss estate where JFK stayed with Jackie and the kids, is in private hands now and you can no longer go through it.
No worries. And I only got to go to Hammersmith Farm once, many years ago. One of the things that really stuck with me was that there were all these faded family snapshots tacked up on a door, but then when you looked at them you realized you recognized the people in them, even though they weren't your family.
Reply
Many of the great homes are open for tourists. If you go, be sure the visit The Elms, summer home of coal millionaire Edward Berwind. Also, you'd love the magnificent Marble House, summer home of Consuelo's parents, Alva and William Vanderbilt.
If you're interested and have the time, there are some wonderful video tours of the mansions HERE.
Reply
Reply
I didn't realize that Hammersmith Farm had ever been open to the public.
Reply
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment