THE VANDERBILTS OF HYDE PARK

The drive was 15 Min's from the FDR home. This was one of many of the Vanderbilt's Mansions. Frederick William Vanderbilt was the grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt also known as The Commodore. He was also the son of William Henry Vanderbilt. (It pays to be a child of wealth.) This mansion was used only when they wanted to get away from the City. No more than 9 couples could stay at a time in the mansion, but the guest house would accommodate 4 more couples. This was, as they say, a summer place. There were no children from the marriage so a favorite niece, Margaret Van Allen inherited the estate when Frederick died. Margaret visited FDR and told him she wanted to keep the place as it was, a memorial to Uncle Fred and a national monument. In 1940, 211 acres were donated to the Federal Government.
The Mansion and it contents remain unchanged from the time the Vanderbilts lived there.

Again no pictures inside were allowed. I can tell you it was a majestic home, decorated in European style, lots of marble and beautiful wood.

When Cornelius was renovating the mansion, he saw a lot of construction across the river. He went over and wanted to see what was being built. He was told a Monastery. That pleased him so much he gave them 4 million dollars to make sure it looked good.


We only had time to drive through the CIA (Culinary Institute of America) grounds and take a couple of pictures. Some of the best Chef's have graduated from this school and have become famous.


Tomorrow we leave for Cape Cod where we plan to stay for 12 days. We have an appointment to have our awning fixed and an insurance adjuster will come look at our car. We will also meet up with our Neighbors across the street from us in Texas and spend the 4Th of July with them.