Located on the heights above the Hudson River in Hyde Park, New York is the beautiful architectural landmark Vanderbilt Mansion. Built from 1896-1899 by architects Charles Follen McKim and Sanford White in Beaux-Arts style for Frederick W. and Louise Vanderbilt the gorgeous Vanderbilt Mansion in owned by the National Park Service today and is open to the public.

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The Vanderbilts were wealthy beyond imagine and spent their money lavishly on fine furniture and decorations. The interior of the Vanderbilt Mansion contains its original Italian and French furnishings, European tapestries and beautiful Oriental rugs. Louise Vanderbilt had her bedroom modeled after the Marie Antoinette Chamber at the Palace of Versailles.

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The grounds of the Vanderbilt Mansion and Estate include over 200 acres and numerous formal gardens including a rose garden and Italian Gardens.

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From the mansion and grounds visitors can see fantastic views of the Hudson River, Hudson River Valley, Catskill Mountains and surrounding countryside.

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The Vanderbilt Mansion was one of the most modern homes of its time as it contained indoor plumbing, a forced air central heating system and even had electricity that was generated from a hydroelectric power plant located on the property. The hydroelectric power plant was located along Crum Elbow Creek on the property so the electricity for the estate was self-supported.

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Today the beautiful architectural landmark Vanderbilt Mansion is part of the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site run by the National Park Service and located right off Route 9 in Hyde Park, New York at 4097 Albany Post Road.

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Tours of the mansion and grounds are given daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.

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For more see

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Beautiful Castles in Washington DC

Beautiful Castles in Brooklyn, New York City

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Clayton is a Beautiful Tourist Attraction Home and Museum in Pittsburgh

10 Largest Homes in the United States

Sources:http://www.nps.gov/vama

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanderbilt_Mansion_National_Historic_Site