Biltmore Estate

Estate
TheThe
Biltmore

By: Valeria Coruzzi, Jennifer Yakimenko, David Hamilton

By: David Hamilton, Jennifer Yakimenko, and Valeria Coruzzi

Family History of Biltmore

Figure 1 Source: George Vanderbilt and Family www.reddit.com

Vanderbilt Family History

George Washington Vanderbilt was born on November 14, 1862 in Staten
Island, New York
His ancestors emigrated there from Holland
Growing up George never had a fascination with the finances of the family, but
did not find problems using those finances so he could fuel his love to read and
travel as much as he could
George attended Columbia University at the age of 16 and graduated with
high honors
Died March 6, 1914

George Washington Vanderbilt

This would be the well renowned
George Washington Vanderbilt. Not many
people know the face behind the grand
estate. Vanderbilt was also known for
being a very intelligent man. By the time he
had gotten to college he had already
mastered 7 different languages.
.

Figure 2: George Washington Vanderbilt

Source: www.findagrave.com

Vanderbilt Family History

The Vanderbilts name would change forever in 1810 when his grandfather
Cornelius Vanderbilt at the age of 16 decided to take a leap of faith
He borrowed just a $100 from his mother to build a ferry service on the New
York Bay
After his Grandfather's philanthropic ideas by his death had grossed 100
million dollars to his name

Figure 3: Cornelius Vanderbilt http://www.quotationof.com/cornelius-vanderbilt.html

Vanderbilt Family Legacy

Georges father William Henry was driven by his father to better the Vanderbilt
name throughout every generation
With his driven determination William became the President of his fathers
railroad company
At his death William Henry had doubled the familys worth to 200 million

Vanderbilt Family History

The family was already known for their illustrious mansion lifestyle by owning
one of the biggest houses in New York at the time that was built on 640 fifth
avenue in Manhattan

Figure 5 Source: www.kingsacademy.com

Figure 6 Source: www.pinterest.com

BILTMORE COMMUNITY
BEFORE THE BILTMORE TO WHAT IT IS DOING TODAY

Fig. 7.
Biltmore
House
Source:
digitalherita
ge.org

BEFORE THE BILTMORE

Before the Biltmore Estate the land was
home to the Cherokee Native American
community.
Today there are archaeological sites that
have been unearthed.
Biltmore helps scholars and students of
all ages come to learn more about the
mountain and Native Americans history.

Fig. 8. Allen, Dave. Biltmore Estate.

Source: wncdesktopwallpaper.com

Fig. 9. Dale, Neal. Biltmore Mound Excavated.2000-08.

Citizen-Times. Web. 12 April 2016
Source: citizen-times.com

BILTMORE PERKS
Providing over 1000 jobs
Farms were formed in time
Poultry, cattle, & hogsmaterial goods
Railway was added
Providing more jobs
Still in use today
Biltmore Village was built
Church
Post office
school

Fig. 10. Source: biltmore.com

BILTMORE VILLAGE
Modeled after a small English village
Originally built and owned by one person
Meant to serve for the entrance to the
Biltmore Estate
Built to be a self sustaining, independent
community.
One of the earliest examples of a planned
mixed community
The idea was mainly to house all the
employees and their families that
worked on the Biltmore, all your needed
amenities were close at hand.

Fig. 11. Sprague, Michael. A Building in Biltmore Village.

2005.
Source: nchistory.web.unc.edu

Fig. 12. Plaza Block and Post Office. 1915-1930.

Source: nchistory.web.unc.edu

MORE ON
BILTMORE VILLAGE
Edith Vanderbilt planned and held many events at the Biltmore Village
Cornelia Vanderbilt was married in the Biltmore Village in the All Souls
Church in 1924

Fig. 13. McEwen, Caroline Nicholas. Biltmore Village.

1906.
Source: toto.lib.unca.

Fig. 14 Antler Hill Village.

Source: biltmore.com

Community Farming
Today Biltmore is farming neighborhood
communities.
The company has been expanding Vanderbilts
vision in creating a real estate community for the
people around
Theyve branched out
forming
The Ramble: Biltmore
Forest & Lake
Fox Run Preserve
Biltmore Park
Town Square

The Developments
focuses on

Education
Health care
Economic development
Environment
The arts & culture
Fig.15. Community Map. The Ramble Biltmore Forest
Source: theramblerealestate.com

An Interview with a Biltmore Employee

Kyle Feldmann: Reservation Sales and Guest Support
Q: How has Biltmore affected the community in the past?
Does the Biltmore still have an effect on the community
today?
A: Part of Biltmores ongoing legacy is that we remain a
privately owned, working, and profitable estate. We
provide jobs for anywhere from 1,800 to over 2,000 people
who reside in the local community, making us one of
Ashevilles largest employers. Additionally, Biltmore Estate
has been open to the public since the 1930s, and has
helped to increase tourism in Western North Carolina. For
example, in the past year we welcomed more than 1
million guests to the estate! We also aid in local
philanthropic efforts to support people in need, food and
farming, and the preservation of resources, both natural
and cultural.

Q: What changes have you seen during the time that youve been
working at the Biltmore?
A: Many things have changed, but mostly the addition of new

experiences, tours, and other events for our estate guests.

Additionally, continued restoration of the home has allowed for
guests to visit more rooms and spaces within Biltmore House, which
has been wonderful to see.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working at Biltmore?
A: I enjoy the stewardship! The goal of the company as a
whole is to maintain the estate for future generations.
George Vanderbilt began a legacy of hospitality back in
1895 when he first welcomed guests to his home and we
continue to honor that spirit of hospitality to this day.

Fig. 16. Source: Biltmore.com

Changes to the Biltmore

From Past to Present

Original Biltmore
Originally the estate included 125,000 acres or 191
square miles of land ranging from Asheville to the peak
of Mt. Pisgah and beyond
Today, the estate consists of only 8,000 acres, a big
chunk of the estates original acreage sold to the federal
government to form the basis of Pisgah National Forest

Fig. 17. Mt. Pisgah Hiking Trail. Source:

www.romanticasheville.com

Winery
Early 1970s: William Cecil planted his first vines on the
Biltmore property
1983: Wine company is established
1984: First wine is bottled
1985: Winery opens to the public

Fig. 18. Biltmore Wines Take the Gold.

Source:www.biltmore.com

Public Opening
In 1930: Cornelia and John Cecil open Biltmore House to
the public for the first time in history. Admission is $2.
1976: Cornelia Vanderbilt Cecil passes away. Biltmore
Houses Music Room is completed and opens to the
public as part of the House tour.
1979 Biltmores Deerpark Restaurant opens.
1980 Biltmore basement becomes public

Public Cont.
1985 Candle lit tour is added to The Biltmore
1987 Stable complex next to Biltmore House opens
1993 Four gift shops open on the estate Bookbinders,
Confectionary, Toymakers, and Gate House.

Figure 19. Biltmore Stable Courtyard.

Source: Pinterest.com

Figure 20. Christmas at the Biltmore 2016.

Source:romanticasheville.com

Biltmore 100 Year Anniversary

1995 Biltmore House celebrates its 100th anniversary.
The Welcome Center, Ice Cream Parlor, A Gardeners
Place, and Bistro open.
Renovation and expansion work is completed on the
Stable Cafe.
The newly restored Tower Rooms in Biltmore House are
revealed to the public.
Biltmore plants a Kitchen Garden to supply fresh produce
to the restaurant.

Latest Things to Open

2001 The Biltmore Inn opens
2002-2005 The third floor living hall and rooms on the
fourth floor become open to the public in the house.
2009 A suite of rooms called The Louis XV Suite opens in
Biltmore House

Fig. 21. Inn on the Biltmore Estate.

Source:www.flowergalleryasheville.com

Antler Hill Village

2010 Antler Hill Village Opens
It includes Antler Hill Farm, The Biltmore Legacy, Village Green and
Bandstand, Outdoor Adventure Center, Cedrics Tavern, Creamery, and
Traditions. Updates to the Winery were made as part of the Village project.
George wanted to open a place where people could relax after a long
day.

Fig. 22. Antler Hill Village.

Source:www.Biltmore.com

Fig. 23. Mapping the Biltmore.

Source:www.masterspacetalk.
com

13:58-17:52

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lU66O0ttanI

Work Cited:

Osment, Timothy N. Biltmore Estate. Western Carolina University. 2008. Digital Heritage. Web. 1 Mar. 2016.

http://digitalheritage.org/2010/08/the-biltmore-estate/

Hennessy, Kelly. The Biltmore Estate. North Carolina History. Word Press. N.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2016

http://nchistory.web.unc.edu/the-biltmore-estate/

Village Stories. Historic Biltmore Village. Biltmore Property Group. N.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2016

http://www.historicbiltmorevillage.com/historytour/village-stories/

Biltmore Farms Communities. Biltmore Farms Communities. N.p. n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2016

http://www.biltmorefarmscommunities.com/biltmore-farms-communities

Yakimenko, Jennifer. Interview with Biltmore Employee. Message to Mr. Feldmann. 11 Apr. 2016. E-mail.

Biltmore Timeline PDF File. 24 Apr. 2016

"Biltmore." Biltmore. Web. 22 Apr. 2016.

http://www.amazingasheville.net/biltmore.html

"Biltmore History | Biltmore." Biltmore History | Biltmore. Web. 23 Apr. 2016.

http://www.biltmore.com/visit/biltmore-house-gardens/estate-history

Works Cited cont.

"The Story Of Biltmore Wine | Biltmore." The Story Of Biltmore Wine | Biltmore. Web. 23 Apr. 2016.
http://www.biltmore.com/wine/wine-story

Trivago.com. Web. 23 Apr. 2016.

Http://www.trivago.com/asheville-34824/hotel/inn-on-biltmore-estate-974505.

"Christmas at Biltmore | Asheville, NC's Official Travel Site." Explore Asheville. Web. 22 Apr. 2016.

http://www.exploreasheville.com/stories/post/christmas-at-biltmore/

Dukes. "Highlander Special Interests." George Washington Vanderbilt Family History. Blue Ridge Highlander,
96'-14' Web. 13 Mar. 2016.

http://theblueridgehighlander.com/Biltmore_Estate/a_legacy_in_stone-3.php