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Moving on upstairs and around the balcony..
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We find a portrait of the master of the house,
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William K. Vanderbilt.
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And a memorial room to his youngest child and avid yachtsman, Harold Stirling Vanderbilt. Harold successfully defended the America’s Cup three times and is known for inventing the rules of contract bridge. When a subsequent owner of Marble House put it up for sale in 1963, it was Harold who stepped in and donated the money to the Preservation Society for its purchase.
Thank you Harold.
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Down an impressive mahogany paneled hallway…
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My bad knee ached at the thought of the servant’s stairs, but down we went.
And how do you know they’re the servant’s stairs?
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Because there are locked bars at the base to keep the riff raff delivery people from mixing with the family.
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I’m not sure why the butler’s office has a parrot, but there he is.
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My husband got a huge kick out of this water heater and its primitive but effective level indicator.
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The kitchen.
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I can’t imagine how stifling and busy this space must have been for the 6-8 weeks of summer residence.
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Husband loved the old coffee grinder.
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Someone still polishes those copper pots today.
No thank you!
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A French chef and 6 assistants prepared the meals.
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On the 15 foot coal fired stove.
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Alva, at a costume party.
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The annual auto parade, where cars were covered in flowers and driven on parade.
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Then? $382,500.
Today?
$380 million.
😳
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River's world..... 
What’s $400M between friends?
That decorated car is how The Rose Parade got started…. someone in society probably brought it here from there.
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Ha. Could be…
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Interesting that the Mrs. should feel compelled to dress up as a princess when, in every other aspect of her life, she pretty much lived like one. And I’m so glad mutton chops are out of fashion.
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Mullets and mutton chops are two trends that need to stay dead.
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There’s a second grader with a mullet at my school. The only one I’ve seen in two decades of teaching. I had to do a double take the first time I saw him. I’m sorry, but that look isn’t even cute on a kid.
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Oh, but you must see “The Godfather of Green Bay”, in which a mullet has a starring role.
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I had to Google that, but now that I know, seems like a good thing to avoid. Too much mullet exposure is bad for your health.
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I’m glad I can tour without braving all those stair. The only austere thing about that house (aside from the prison stairs) appears to be Vanderbilt’s wardrobe in his portrait.
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I’m sure the servants’ quarters were quite plain, but they weren’t part of the your.
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I’m sure a lot of people feel like a prisoner at work, but I guess the servants for Mr. Vanderbilt quite literally felt that way…
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Gotta admit, the water heater and coffee grinder are pretty cool!
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Thanks again for the beautiful tour! I’m sold on making this a future destination.
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It’s a fun area. Lots to do and see..
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I will put it on my list to visit.
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