The Biltmore

It’s been 8 months since we moved, so I figured it was due time I showed you a picture of our house….

What do you think?
I insisted on a bigger house after living in apartments for so long.
What? You think 250 rooms is excessive? It’s only a mere 175,000 square feet.

I wish!
Actually, this home was built by George Vanderbilt…. when he was a bachelor! Luckily he got married shortly after, and they had 1 child. 1 child for 34 bedrooms and 43 bathrooms!

Did you know this is the biggest house in America?
I didn’t even know it existed until we moved here. The second I heard about it, I wanted to visit. But the tickets are too expensive for the 6 of us. Then, out of the blue, my friend Katrina called me and asked if I would like free tickets to the Biltmore Estate. I almost choked on my lunch!

Did you know, you’ve probably seen the house (or grounds) before, and didn’t even know it? It’s been in 14 movies, including Forest Gump. I’m curious as to which scene. Any ideas?

Here we are, at the Biltmore
This is what Reagan does if you ask her to smile.

I wasn’t able to take any pictures inside. Bummer, I know. The house is gorgeous! I can’t describe it. I just tried to, but deleted everything I wrote because I don’t have the right words. I just can’t imagine people living like this. I mean, my entire house could fit inside this banquet hall….

Shhh, I stole these pictures from google images… don’t tell.
This is the indoor garden you see as you enter the front door.

This is the room where George and Edith greeted each other in the morning and discussed business. They slept in separate bedrooms. I guess that was normal for the time, because it wouldn’t be appropriate for a ladies maid to go into a room shared with her mistress’ husband. Interesting.

And they had an indoor heated pool (remember, this is 1895), along with a bowling alley, gym, billiards room, you name it…

Anyways, you get the idea… it was amazing.
I was worried that the tour would bore my kids to death. Instead, they had a great time. They loved listening to the audio tour and playing I-Spy in each room. Jefferson as especially fascinated, and even plays “Biltmore” at home now (where he pretends to be the butler while doing chores).

Gargoyles.
 

Katrina and Scott Price. Thank you guys for the tickets, and for spending the wonderful day with us!

The estate is 8,000 acres. After touring the house, we drove around through the grounds. It was the second day of our vacation that I wished it were Summer. The winter landscape just so drab.

Grant, wishing he had 8,000 acres to explore in his backyard.

Reagan taking the Price’s dog, Daisy, for a walk.

There is a farm on the grounds also. The kids enjoyed chasing chickens and petting all the animals. Kennedy was especially fascinated with the goats.

There was so much to see. We met a blacksmith and watched him work, the kids played early 20th century games, and we got to learn all about the Biltmore family history. I will always remember visiting here. I don’t think I’ve ever had my mouth gaping wide open as much as I did on this day. I was in awe…. of the house, and how much my kids enjoyed themselves.
Success!