Vanderbilt Mansion, FDR (again) to Newport, RI – 3/25/2017

March 25, 2017 (Saturday)

Happy 28^th Anniversary! Went by so fast. Too fast.

We moved out of our “home” and left around 8:30 AM. We headed down the road a little bit and got a McDonald’s breakfast. We would have had the “free” breakfast at the hotel but the coffee (and the breakfast selection) was pretty poor. We wanted to make sure we got a decent cup of coffee today. After that we headed a few more miles to the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site. We had been told yesterday by our tour guide, Mike, that the Vanderbilt Estate was undergoing renovations and there were many areas that would not be available to tour. We still wanted to see it since we were so close and had visited Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina.

On our way into the grounds of the Mansion.

A guest house for bachelors. They were not allowed in the main house overnight. Side view.

The guest house. For bachelors, front approach.

We got to the “Guest House” and place where you purchase tickets and got to talking to one of the Park Rangers while we waited for the 10:00 AM tour. (We found out the tour, normally $10.00 per person, was free to us due to our old person National Parks pass. Yahoo.) He told us this was the smallest of the Vanderbilt Estates (Biltmore being the largest; Breakers also being quite large). He said this was the fall and spring home, and sometimes at Christmas. We walked around and went into the gift shop while we were waiting. I saw a cute hand made into a fist with the saying, “You can’t shake hands with a closed fist.” Loved it and wanted it but decided against it since we don’t have room or need it. Would have been a fun conversation piece but….

Fredrick bought the stuffed animals and was not a hunter and did not allow hunting on his property.

Edie really liked the symbolism in this.

The tour was fascinating. We walked over to the Mansion and it’s quite the mess with all the renovations going on. They are even replacing the foundation. We went in through the basement and then up the stairs to the first floor.

Today’s tour guide. Jason! Did an excellent job.

Fredrick saw construction beginning on the Monastery across the river. He sent a servant over with a blank check and told him to tell the builders to make it pretty. He did not want to look and see something ugly when he was here.

Lots of great river views from the property.

This was a spring and fall home. Never in the summer and very rarely in the winter.

Inside is opulent, even undergoing renovation.

The ceiling had been painted over with white paint. Not sure who painted it over.

The house is kept very dark for preservation.

Planetary movement system. Very expensive in its day.

Second floor. The skylight lifts up and heat escapes through a hatch that can be opened. It would be 110 degrees upstairs in the summers.

Beautiful but more of a castle type feel than a home. Over the top and quite large chairs, furniture, carpeting, and art. Was surprised that even though this was a smaller estate, the Vanderbilt’s never had children and yet they had such a big place. The Park Ranger, Jason, said they loved having their nieces and nephews over. He also said one of the nieces inherited the place after their deaths and she didn’t want or need it. She put it on the market for something like $350,000.00, then $200,000.00, and finally around $100,000.00 – and still no takers. The story goes on to say that she received a telephone call from a neighbor, Franklin D. Roosevelt, who said she should do like he was doing and gift the house to the National Park Service and get the tax write off. She did and that protected the 5 million her Uncle Fredrick left her as well as the Mansion. We ended the tour in the basement and then walked the grounds a little bit before leaving. Would love to come back when it’s put back together to see just how majestic it is.

We drove the short distance to the FDR Library and Museum again. We felt we rushed it yesterday and wanted to do it justice. So glad we did as we missed the Japanese Internment portion of the Museum. I liked FDR but didn’t care for what he did with the Japanese due to fear, especially when he was the one who said “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” We got to see, read, and experience the Museum at a slower pace and enjoyed it.

This view has driven national debt for a long time.

Pretty far sighted creating a Presidential Library.

A hard and sad look at the treatment of the American Japanese during WWII.

Eleanor was opposed to the Executive Order but lost out.

Edie was fascinated by this Drive In theater across the street from the Presidential Library.

We left around 1:00 PM because we had a long drive today to Newport, Rhode Island (around 200 miles). The weather was raining slightly and in the low 40’s.

As we were driving towards Newport, Rhode Island – we had to go right by the Culinary Institute of America – so we decided to get a “to go” burger and split it for the ride. The same young women from last night were working the day shift. Good to see them again. So nice. The bartender was a lot of fun and let us smell the bitters on the counter and ask questions while we were waiting on our burger.

Waiting for our food at the bar, we started smelling the bitters, what fun.

We got the burger to the car and decided to eat before we hit the road, so good.

The drive was pretty uneventful. Clarece took us on all types of roads – toll, back roads, main roads, highways – everything. Beautiful countryside. Lots of traffic on some of the roads, not too many stops or construction. It was still slightly raining and cold. Looks like a winter wonderland to us Californians.

Edie’s favorite winter look in the east.

We got into Newport, Rhode Island at around 5:00 PM. The Wyndham was hard to find but we did and were so glad we didn’t have to pay for parking here. It’s quite crowded and looks like a major tourist area (reminds us of Carmel). We’re looking forward to walking around and exploring. Our “home” for the next two weeks is quite lovely, small but lovely. You can tell it’s been recently remodeled but it doesn’t have an oven, a dishwasher, or a WASHER AND DRYER. Bummer but they do have a laundry center on the third floor (3 washers and 3 dryers, all free) that I will be visiting really soon.

Full sized fridge and lots of cabinets with all the things we need.

Micro, two burner cook top, TV, and dining area.

We were getting hungry but are tired of eating out right now (except at CIA), so we went to a nearby Stop & Shop Supermarket and got some groceries to eat. We found out you had to buy your liquor at a liquor store, which we went to to get a bottle of wine. Found out the wine prices here are pretty high so we’ll just stay sober. That works for us. We got home and ate. Looking forward to our time here.

That was our day. Hope yours was great!