Nov 7-Vanderbilt mansion

Well here's a good example of the difference between "old money" and "new money". The Roosevelts were incredibly wealthy--old money and prestige from both sides of the family. Their homes were full of things they collected all over the world, but nothing outrageous. Val Kill in particular was very small and simple. No fancy dishes or china--a comfy home. The Vanderbilts on the other hand were newly wealthy during the "Gilded Age" and it was important to show off their wealth to gain prestige. The first 2 generations of Vanderbilts in this country earned all the money in the shipping business, and the 3rd generation spent it all on mansions and expensive tastes. The mansion here was built by just one of the six children from the 3rd generation (if you can follow that). Evidently all six kids built amazing homes around the east. This one is supposedly small by comparison to the Biltmore (in NC) or Breakers (in RI) homes. This one was too much for me! Gold and silver everywhere. China. Huge rooms with chairs that looked liked thrones. Looked totally uncomfortable and unpleasant. No thanks.