Introduction
By their grand scale, classical ornament, and look of permanence,
the majestic homes of the late 19th century call to mind those
of the European upper classes from times past. These were the
dwellings of Americans who made fortunes from industry. Devoted
at first to amassing large sums, the new millionaires eventually
found that money was no longer enough. They wanted to live as
though they were heirs to centuries of wealth, to leave a lasting
tribute to their achievements. The era when such a way of life
was possible ended early in this century. Frederick Vanderbilt's
mansion, along with its counterparts in Newport, Palm Beach,
or elsewhere along the Hudson, can transport us briefly to an
elegant world long past.
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