A Hillbilly Tours The Biltmore House
Biltmore Estate, Ashville, NC Let me tell you about the best thing I saw as I toured the Biltmore House, a ridiculously opulant estate in Ashville, North Carolina.
Everybody told me it was a must-see. But I've never been keen about “Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous”. I grew up in a shotgun house in the hills of Appalachia, quite poor. Nothing has been given to me. And I contrast this to George W. Vanderbilt II, inheritor of the Vanderbilt fortune and builder of the largest home in North America. He never worked a day in his life. His early adulthood was spent touring Europe, collecting artwork, and elsewise living the lavish lifestyle of the idle rich. At the appointed time he married a fellow noble. His gift to his new bride was The Biltmore House. It took five years of constant labor to construct, and was completed in 1895. And I am sure Madame Edith Dresser was impressed.
But I did find it intriguing to learn from the tour that the couple maintained separate bedrooms.
We drove several miles onto the estate before we saw the house. And it was an impressive scene, reminiscent of a castle. Still, I later saw something even more impressive.
The tour was interesting. The indoor garden included trees over three stories tall. The library was larger than that of my hometown. The pool table would dwarf my living room. All of these were notable, but later I saw something of greater note.
There was room after endless room of lavish furnishings, wall hangings, and European art. The pantries held enough food for an army. The kitchens were completely equipped, ready for a hundred cooks.
I saw a chess set originally owned by Napoleon. There was an indoor bowling ally, a rudimentary air conditioning system, a weight room, and even a swimming pool.
I began to be truly bothered that one man could spend so very much money on himself. He was not self-made. He was not an entrepeneur. He just spent money. I looked up at the painted ceilings and read of how a French artist was commissioned and allowed several years to complete the art. I looked at the ornate carvings. I thought about the contrasting, simple, almost prison-like quarters of the “servants”- located in the steamy lofts of the house.
And as I gazed at the ceilings it hit me.... No, not a brilliant insight. IT hit me. Bird poop. Several swallows had somehow entered the mansion, and were busily flying around and desecrating various antiquities and works of art.
The hired help was frowning. I was smiling. “Do your best, my feathered friends.”
I left with a spring in my step. That was the best part of the tour.
06.25.06 (8:51 pm) [
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posted by:
FinalyFree (
reply)
post date:
06.25.06 (4:23 pm)
Biltmore aside, I do absolutely love the town of Asheville. What do you think? It almost seems a little 'cosmopolitan' to me. Odd when you consider it's geographical locale, huh?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
06.25.06 (4:47 pm)
Reply to: FinalyFree
I did enjoy Ashville. We drove downtown a couple of times and enjoyed all the little shops. I walked through the neighborhood near the motel and found it nice and comfy. I saw an Arts theatre. It was smallish, touristy, and of course with beautiful scenery. I'll go back, just not to Biltmore.
posted by:
danielmacdonald (
reply)
post date:
06.25.06 (5:41 pm)
yea Dave must be nice to have the money. but I grew up poor also and I think we are better for it. Rich are spoiled kids from all the money. You did or do much hiking? I go on the Appalachian trail a lot.
Dan
posted by:
Drucillia (
reply)
post date:
06.25.06 (6:09 pm)
Wonderful birds. :)
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
06.26.06 (2:12 am)
Reply to: danielmacdonald
Actually you have to hike a good half mile just to get from the parking lot to the entrance of this mansion. Then another half mile or so to get to the gardens. I'm sure Mr. Vanderbilt probably rode on the backs of his slaves, but none were available when I was there.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
06.26.06 (2:13 am)
Reply to: Drucillia
I've a higher respect for birds now.
posted by:
fractalmom (
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post date:
06.26.06 (2:22 pm)
go swallows. today i learned, perhaps truthfully, that ralph lauren, famous designer, bought a ranch. because it didn't strike him as authentic enough perhaps, he paid someone $3,000.00 to make the front door squeak authentically. additionally, he paid a ridiculous amount for a split rail fence out of an exotic wood.
more money than brains. its common. sense is not common. the biggest oxymoron in the universe. common sense.
posted by:
Robin (
reply)
post date:
06.17.07 (11:15 pm)
The best thing I saw there was the home raised Black Angus steaks in their restaurant. I am notoriously cheap when eating out, preferring the dollar menu, but some friends talked me into getting the BA filet because 'I would never be back that way again' (and I never have). So I did, and it was like BUTTER.
As to overly rich people ... who defines the limits? Everyone has certain talents or assets and each is responsible before God for what they do with it. To someone in Mexico or India or China, you are opulently rich right now. Who is to say where the line designating excess is drawn? Should we all live in huts or caves and give the rest away? Maybe. Maybe not. I don't think that the Lord is as interested in worrying about such things as some people think he is.
The important thing to remember is that none of us is taking any of it with us when we 'check out', and that none of us should be jealous of another's success or covet anything that his neighbor has during our stay. Greed, envy and jealous are all equally wrong and spiritually corrosive.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
06.18.07 (5:48 am)
Reply to: Robin
My thoughts in this post have to do with the concept of stewardship. I do not begrudge a person earning lots of money, nor enjoying fine things purchased with said money. This guy seems to me to be a taker, and not a giver. Jealousy and judgment on my part? Perhaps. I think he could have enjoyed a less elaborate home, and used the bulk of his money in a better way. And you make a good point- maybe I could do the same with my money. But I'll bet George Vanderbilt would never drive a van without AC or reverse.
