The Biltmore: America’s largest house
Anna-Claire Massey, Photographer
The Biltmore house, dubbed “America’s Largest House”, is located in Asheville, North Carolina, which is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from campus. The Biltmore house was built by George Vanderbilt in 1895. The house was built as retreat for George Biltmore and his family, and has 230 rooms and 43 bathrooms. Along with visiting Biltmore House and Gardens, there is also Antler Hill Village, Deerpark, At the Inn, and At Village Hotel that is included in your tickets for the main house tour. Since Asheville is an hour away from campus, visiting the Biltmore is a great idea for students wanting to get away from campus for the weekend. Currently at the Biltmore estate is the “Downton Abbey: The Exhibition.”
“Downton Abbey: The Exhibition” was a combination of costumes worn by the actor of the show, sets from the show, and character portfolios with little trinkets and bits from the show.
*All information provided by the Biltmore At-A-Glance-Guide given at the beginning of the house tour and a guest services.
The Biltmore House, built by George W. Vanderbilt in 1895.
The Winter Garden: A glass roof that illuminates a fountain that sits below the glass ceiling.
The view of the Blue Ridge mountains and the Biltmore Estate acreage from the Loggia on the back of the Biltmore House.
A view up the main stair case and chandelier, from the bottom of the Christmas tree on the main floor.
A picture of me and my friend, Beebe Griner, in a shiny ornament that was hung on the Christmas tree at the bottom of the main stair case.
The 70,000 gallon, heated, indoor swimming pool. The pool still has all of the original lighting from the inside of the pool.
The Biltmore made into a giant gingerbread house that was on display in the house’s main kitchen downstairs.
The 7 story tall banquet hall houses tapestries from the 1500’s and has a giant pipe organ at the opposite end of the fireplace.
The front of the house at sunset, just behind the main lawn fountain.
A 3D model of Highclerc Castle, which is the real life castle that is used to film the show, and now the new Downton Abbey movie.
