Mansions

CASTLE-HOPPING!

Dave and I are planning to do some serious castle-hopping over the next few years. We’ll start next year when I’m too old to be in the Air Force anymore. What on earth is castle-hopping? You will find the answer to that question in the Mansions Passions menu above; or go to my Pinterest page (see link below). Several years ago, A & E television network ran a series called “America’s Castles.” I’ve been hooked ever since. I love interior design, and I love houses! So, the retirement bucket-list includes traveling the USA and visiting these incredible landmarks.

The Biltmore Estate

This is the Biltmore estate of the Vanderbilts. It has been said, that it is called “Biltmore” since this particular family member “Built-More” than his other relatives. That, of course, is the urban-legend. True? Who knows? But the Biltmore is definitely more than the other estates of the Vanderbilt empire. Biltmore Estate is 6950.4 acres or 10.86 square miles. It is a private estate and tourist attraction near Asheville, NC. Biltmore House, the main residence, is a French Chateauesque-style mansion. It was built by George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1889 and 1895. It is still, the largest privately owned house in the U.S. at 178,926 square feet of floor space and 135,280 square feet of living area. That’s a big dollhouse! The estate is still owned by the Vanderbilt’s descendants–(See! More genealogy). Today, it is one of the most prominent remaining examples of the Gilded Age.

Colorado’s Castles

Redstone Castle

The Stanley Hotel

Dave and I have seen some of America’s estates already. Here in Colorado, we have the Redstone Castle. Redstone Castle, also known as Cleveholm or Osgood Castle. It is a mansion south of Redstone, Colorado. It’s easy to get to if you live in Colorado. You should take the time to stop in. It’s just south of Glenwood Springs, and a little past Carbondale, CO.

We also have the infamous Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO. “Honey I’m Home! Here’s Johnny!” All of you old(er) viewers know I’m alluding to Jack Nicholson and the movie “The Shining.”

The Dupont Mansion

Recently, while on the East Coast visiting my sisters, we went to the Nemours Mansion in Wilmington, DE. Owned and developed by Alfred I. duPont (1864-1935), Nemours Estate comprises an exquisite, 100+ room mansion, the largest formal French gardens in North America, a Chauffeur’s Garage housing a collection of vintage automobiles used on the Estate, and nearly 200 acres of scenic woodlands, meadows, and lawns. In total, the Nemours Mansion and Gardens is a 300-acre country estate. It was built to resemble a château and its 105 rooms on five floors occupying nearly 47,000 sq ft. It was a blast walking through that piece of history. Click here for more information.

You can also see more on my Pinterest Page: