Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens in Washington D.C. was the home of Marjorie Merriweather Post. She was a great hostess, philanthropist, and art collector. Her home is gorgeous and filled with treasures.
The Jefferson Hotel, Where Gators Once Roamed
The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia opened in 1895. It has been renovated several times since, and it's decorated in a luxurious, eclectic style.
Unexpected Treasures at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is located in Richmond, Virginia. Its highlights include the McGlothlin collection of American art, the Gans collection of English silver, and works by Faberge.
The Historic Grove Park Inn
The Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina was opened by Edwin Wiley Grove in 1913. It was one of several health resorts in Asheville, where people often visited in hopes that the mountain air would improve their health.
Stained Glass at All Souls Church in Biltmore Village
All Souls church in Biltmore Village, North Carolina was commissioned by George Vanderbilt and designed by Richard Morris Hunt. It used to be part of Biltmore Estate. It is home to beautiful stained glass by father-daughter team Maitland Armstrong and Helen Maitland Armstrong.
Gargoyles and Grotesques of Biltmore
Biltmore is full of gargoyles and grotesques. Enjoy some of the creatures I spotted during my trip there.
An Array of Art at Biltmore
Unlike his father, George Vanderbilt wasn't a huge art collector. He collected prints, but beyond that, he generally preferred to spend his money on his home and lands rather than paintings and sculptures. However, he still managed to acquire quite a few notable works of art that are now on display at Biltmore. Here are some of my favorites.
A Chateau in North Carolina – My Visit to Biltmore
The Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina, was once the home of George Vanderbilt and his family. Now a resort and historic site, it was the main destination of my recent vacation.
A Rainy Day at Monticello
Thomas Jefferson was the third President of the United States, a Founding Father, and the author of the Declaration of Independence. He designed his home, Monticello, in Charlottesville, Virginia. I visited on a very rainy day in late September as part of the first leg of my vacation.
Charles Meryon’s “Le Stryge” (a Grotesque)
Charles Méryon (1821-1868) was a very talented French etcher who is best known for his series of prints depicting Paris. (Etching is a form of printmaking.) One of his most famous prints depicts a grotesque on the façade of Notre-Dame de Paris. Apparently, Méryon's image is a big part of how this grotesque became so iconic.
