Biltmore Estate....

....officially opened on Christmas Eve in 1895, after 6 years of construction. It was built by George Vanderbilt as a family home for himself, his wife Edith, and their daughter, Cornelia; the estate covers some 8,000 acres! Cornelia married in 1924, & she and her husband lived and entertained there. In 1930, after being asked to help boost tourism to the area because of the great depression, Cornelia & her husband opened Biltmore to the public. It remains a family business, with 4th & 5th generations of George Vanderbilt’s descendants in charge of day to day operations.
We had a great time touring the beautifully impressive house, gardens, greenhouse, etc. & afterwards stopped at the estate winery. Fellow blipper & friend MaryElizaR, my friend Deb & I headed back to Charlotte for dinner & then Mary headed home—(was SO good to spend time with you Mary!) Saw lots of fellow Packer fans strolling around the City so we felt right at home!! :))