@@sweetlexii71 Yeah, so? Who wouldn’t want to make more money? There’s nothing wrong with that so, it’s not because of greed. Remember, they spent a lot of money from their own pockets to build, even bigger and better homes or buildings. It’s too bad some people don’t know how to just enjoy watching a video that’s not negative or bad, but there’s always the judgmental critics on social media. 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
@@JMarieCAlove The comment was was about tearing down a historical building. Not a generic whatever building. ( I do agree that there is nothing wrong with building new things. Only the whole world survives off the backs of everyone else. It didn't use to be a money first world. When it wasn't people respected and cared for others.) Sometimes it's nice to see old things restored and cared for just because.... Not torn down because someone's wallet needs more big bills to keep the old bills company.
One of my fondest memories is visiting Beechwood when it was open for tours. The tour guides assumed characters from the era of Mrs. Astor. The "doorman" asked for our "calling cards" and took our tickets and closed the door and disappeared. He returned almost immediately, and said, "Thankfully, your corner has been turned down, which means that you'll be received." As we were waiting the start of the next tour, the "doorman" asked my friend and me how many "costumes" we brought with us. Playing the part, I said, "four," and my friend said, "five," to which he said, "Oh, you"re here only for a day - not the weekend?" He then asked the color of my ballgown, and I told him yellow. My friend said that hers was blue, to which he replied, "Oh, good. You've been informed that Mrs. Astor's color is pink and you're never to wear her color. And a "Roosevelt daughter" of some relation showed us through the home and asked, "Wherever did you ladies get those bloomers?" referring to our slacks. At the end of the tour, we were served a cup of Mrs. Astor famous strawberry tea. Those were the good old days. Memories which last a lifetime.
Such beautiful properties to now be all gone. When we were children and balked at doing our chores, my grandmother would point her finger and say, "just who do you think you are? Mrs Astor?" Such a memory as we did not know who Mrs Astor was.
LOL, my Mother said the SAME thing! It’s not until I became an adult did I learn that there was a REAL Mrs. Astor!! Ha! My. Other was jealous of wealthy people…😮
I've never heard of that one. I'm going to start using it, just for the fun of it. Then when they don't know what I'm talking about I'll tell them to look it up. And be sure they specify THE Mrs Astor.
😊I haven’t thought about that saying for years. I do remember my Mother and Grandmother saying the same thing! Isn’t it funny how the saying traveled all over…I need to mention that to my sister to see if she remembers.
It's heartbreaking that those who have the means to preserve such beautiful buildings choose instead to replace them with something of far less value and beauty, simply to satisfy their own interests.
Their interests, like that of the original owners was a desire, often referred to as greed, for Money, extreme earnings and Ego, that had a sort of addiction in it's appetite for attention. All of us, at varying degrees,are susceptible to same. It requires a habit of being "Conscious in Thought" +"Applying Higher Mind" to Mature through that energy.
Paris and Rome kept all their historical houses so whenever you visit their cities, youre greeted by these beautiful old buildings with gorgeous architecture. It was part of their charm. I wish New York kept the old Gilded Age houses, like made regularions on keeping historical houses intact. New york wouldve been different.
Actually, much of Paris was demolished in the mid- to late-19th century and completely rebuilt, destroying the medieval city. That's the Paris you know.
The reason these buildings were demolished was that it had to do with the dilution of the fortunes and the prohibited upkeep after the 1929's financial crash.
As I recall, the Pittock Manson was severely damaged during the Columbus Day storm in 1962. Portlanders highly skilled woodworking craftsman and volunteers worked to restore the b vacant home 🏡. Remains a beautiful tourist attraction especially during the Holidays and when the summer gardens are in bloom, can also see three mountains from the formal living room and bedrooms on the second floor.
@@binatangmerah True. But Paris was rebuilt before WWII, and thus before the time when Western architects lost their minds. NYC was rebuilt much later and suffered for it.
This is why American cities are so banal compared to European ones. We tear down our history for the sake of "progress" and end up with the ugliness that is modern architecture that completely lacks character.
@@lukejohnson1274 the modern contemporary office buildings in the uk are being built to last no more than 50: years, astonishing! Paris for example remains beautiful because it wasn’t bombed in the 2nd WW and hasn’t been allowed to be destroyed by property developers.
@@debbylou5729 they would be unlikely to still be private homes, but could so easily have been adapted to other uses. This is what happens to beautiful old building in Europe. They are re purposed. Mostly could have been wonderful apartments.
@@juliancoulden1753 I’ve lived in towns where they have ‘been divided for other uses’. I’ve lived in these towns and I can say without a doubt I would rather have seen them torn down
In 1904 John Jacob Astor IV built the St. Regis Hotel which had the world´s first A/C prototype and, fortunately, has been declared a New York City Landmark.
@@Sashazur In Spain over 100 years ago we already had some laws to protect old buildings. The first one to be protected was the Cathedral of Leon in 1844. And then in 1931 we had a more serious law to protect all those buildings. We have lost buildings, but those were torn down illegaly.
The series "The Gilded Age" by writer/director Julian Fellowes (also the writer/director of Downton Abbey) made me interested in the old wealth of New York. It's historic fiction with Mrs. Astor as an imposing character to the newer New York wealthy wanting to fit in. I had wondered watching the series (they haven't released the third season yet and the first two were really good), if and where these grand old mansions were still there, so it's sad to find out that many were torn down and hotels or other things were created in their place. I had no idea the Empire State Building is on the site of one of the Astor mansions. So interesting and educational. Thank you!
@@cecilybumtrinket1986 The current Waldorf Astoria is not the original. The original Waldorf Astoria, built on the site of the Astor manor, was torn down in 1929 to make way for the Empire State Building. The modern Waldorf Astoria was built in 1931 in a different place
In about 1959 in Miami, I met John Jacob Astor whose mother Madalyn had been pregnant with him on the Titanic, and survived. My aunt was friends with the nanny of Jackie Astor, Johns daughter. I was about 6 years old and my aunt told me that I was going to meet a millionaire. He shook my hand, but I remember expecting money to be bulging from his pockets. I was very disappointed that he didn’t even give me a dollar! 😂 My 10 year old sister spent the day playing with Jackie. We never saw them again.
What a beautiful story…I enjoyed it so much! It reminded me of meeting with Elizabeth Arden in her New York office around the summer of 1956. My Grandmother carried her makeup in her Drugstore in Overton, Tx. In those days most drugstores might sell makeup, jewelry, baby clothes, men and women’s perfumes have a soda fountain…it was all magical to me❤️
Great video, Ken! When Mrs. Astor referred to women who would come after her in society I wonder if she was making a dig at Alva Vanderbilt. --- Also you and your viewers might be interested in the book "Mrs. Astor's New York -- Money and Social Power" by Eric Homberger. -- I noticed that across the street from Mrs. Astor's original house we can see the marble Stewart mansion: maybe the subject of another "This House" video? --- I found the Astor houses overwhelming. The original house in its original form probably would have worked for me! Fun facts: the John Jacob Astor who was lost on the Titanic invented the bicycle brake and was one of the first science-fiction writers. He wrote a novel about a man who tilted the earth on its axis and was able to create perpetual springtime.
I loved from the movie “The Age Of Innocence” depicting how the wealthy old money New Yorkers in the 19th century would have their nightly dinners. They took hours with 6 or 7 courses.
My aunt was a couture dress maker in Bond st London, she had said many times that she had made a dress for Nancy Astor, auntie was still making her own clothes in her lat 80s. I wish I had listened to her saying I could follow in her footsteps but I was a trainee wedding cake decorator and was very happy in my job 🤗
Hey Cousin! Caroline Schermerhorn Astor was my Great Great Grandmother. She remembered playing with Waldorf at Bryant Park and then the awful family torment when “Jack” Astor was lost on the Titanic. Growing up as a child in that wealthy “public” environment was very stressful.
Imagine a world with no tax? I don't think you could even come close to building something on this scale today ... not enough skilled trades people who know what labor intensive craftsmanship goes into building on this scale. Great video! Cheers.
Unless it has changed the Astor family still owns the Newport manison. During the late 80's I took a tour of the 5 mansions that are preserved by the society. The Astor, in order to keep funds rolling in, had murder mystery theatre. Costume period actors, who lived there, walked two groups throughout the mansion giving clues. Upon conclusion we were brought into the ballroom for the answer. Terrific! The newest mansion is the Duke mansion.
The “Astor’s Beechwood” was open for tours for many years and I even attended some period dressed balls and a concert there, but unfortunately about 10 or so years ago a private party bought it and it is no longer open to the public. I walked past it the other day and massive landscaping changes have been made in the front such that you can no longer see the house from Bellevue Avenue. So sad!!
Look at the bright side - she was born to luxury and lived an opulent lifestyle for 78 years. Her health problems were only in the last couple of years of her life and she was still enough "with it" she could give a magazine interview a few days before her death. She led a life none of us could imagine. She did alright.
People like to scream about excessive wealth. But it sure produced beautiful masterpiece architecture which were works of art in their own right. I took interior design with a historical renovation focus in college, and I majored in history. I've seen these gorgeous structures firsthand. But now we have blah structures with no character, painted in dull neutrals, and are cheaply built. There's a reason these marvelous mansions have withstood the test of time. They would probably still be standing today if they hadn't been demolished. But now we have places built 30-50 years ago that look to be on the verge of collapse. Punch a Victorian-era wall it will break your hand. Punch a 21st century wall, you'll break the house.
That's all well & good, but maintaining those fancy structures proves to be something rather difficult to do after a while. Hence so many old mansions rotting away in the country areas of Europe - their owners often abandon them because they cannot afford the repairs or the servants to keep up that lifestyle ! Luckily there are organisations that take some of them on & make businesses out of them to protect them for the future.
This is a proof that projects, arts and buildings with great qualities are worth to be featured. Keep honing your skills to reach that excellence that is qualified to be documented and celebrated. 👏🏼😉
More interesting than the owners the real narration should cover Who were the artists and masons who built the impossible mansions architecture that is virtually impossible to build today. The interior designers are more interesting to learn about.
I highly recommend you read John jakes "the Americans " its written for this era. A great read. Lots of historical information included though its a work of fiction its highly accurate. Astor is spoken of in the book. "The Americans " is book 8 of john jakes Kent family chronicles. The entire series is fabulous and follows a family through many generations starting w one individuals immigration from france.
Excellent video, as usual. I've been to Beechwood and it's fabulous. I love interesting old houses and your channel brings these wonderful old buildings to life. Thanks.
Are you referring to Hempstead House? Because that was built by the Gould family (as in Jay Gould the railroad tycoon) and then later sold to and expanded by the Guggenheim family-- not the Astors.
I live near an Astor in Lyneham, Oxfordshire, England. They basically own the whole village of Bruen. I saw a package left out the front gate in the rain the other day and knocked on her front door (hoping to meet her). No one answered. 0:42
I think Beechwood is the most beautiful of them all. A grand but not vulgar country house. Pretty sad that there are barely no photographs or films of the interior in the internet. The other Newport cottages are so well documented. I think the staircase in the double mansion is maybe the most beautiful stair hall I have ever seen. My absolute favourite. I learned that John Jacob demolished these treasures for a bigger entrance hall. I still have no idea where he put the staircases after that and how they might looked. Never saw a picture. It seems the USA is really not much into preservation as we Europeans are. Here these houses would probably stand all till this day. Thanks for the great video, Ken!
The craftsmen that build these lavish homes full of gilded frames, sculpted ceilings, and abundant in trim work are a piece of history as well, and I dont know that they had a chance at all to pass the knowledge and skill on to someone else. If it werent for pictures, there would be only fairy tales.
It can still be built today. It isn't because back then the materials were high quality and labor was cheap. Today the material is cheap but labor is expensive
Linwood Hall, the grand residence, of the Wideners, in Elkins Park, PA, which is right outside Philadelphia., will be restored. A fabulous commitment to bring one of grandest Gilded Age homes of all back to life.
I was lucky enough to work as a Tour Guide at Beechwood for a Summer. Theatrical Tours. We lived on the 3rd floor. The House is gorgeous. Soooo many exciting things in Newport then.
Thank you for this fascinating glimpse into our architectural past. I wasn't familiar with Mrs. Astor's bio, but as soon as I saw that marble staircase, I said, "Uh-oh, bad idea!" John Jacob Astor IV was 48 when he died on the ill-fated voyage of the Titanic. Interesting trivia: His wife, 30 years younger, was pregnant at the time. She was also on that voyage, but survived.
Why do people want to live like this when rich?? If I was a billionaire I would still live conservatively.. I would hope. One still dies no matter how rich one is.
That ballroom with the massive works of art was extraordinary. Like having your own art museum in your house. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. This woman had a rare eye for beauty. Nowadays, wealthy Americans mostly live in plain, stark houses. It's so boring.
Great video. People have referenced the guilded age show or books about that period but I keep remembering Gossip girl and the times Blair will drop her lineage 😂.
Yes! and it wasn't until her brother-in-law (1890) and sister-in-law, Charlotte, died (1887) that she laid claim to the title of The Mrs. Astor. That was what started the feud with her nephew (William Waldorf Astor) who thought he and his wife should take the title - hence knocking down family home for the Waldorf Hotel. With all the same names, it IS confusing. 🙂
Ironically, many of the grand interiors had already been looted from 18th century European houses & have since moved on, often to museums - not destroyed. As to the "antique" furniture found in these belle epoque millionaire's mansions - it was often brand new at the time - authenticity was unimportant - all they wanted was the "look". Once worn out, it was tossed.
Yes, not only her mansions but many others built by prominent people in New Youk such as the Vanderbilts. Such a shame that those beautiful structures were demolished with no regarded to their historical value. Alas 😔, all for the sake of progress.
Have you ever looked into the Frank Lloyd Wright homes in Northwest Indiana? There are some really cool art deco homes right on the Lakeshore there and I know there’s also big history of lake hotels throughout that area and into the Valparaiso area…. So cool deep dives in there.
I would definitely be in serious trouble had I been born wealthy in that era - I have always been a fierce individualist since a small child, much to my mother's consternation, so I would not have fitted into that society at all ! These homes that remain from that era are on the one hand extremely 'glamorous' & interesting but to modern tastes very over-the-top in decor choices - so much showing off ! While I enjoy antiques as individual pieces, when they are stuffed together in so much also-grand decor they lose their attraction I think. It reminds me of looking at a party table stuffed with goodies - too much at once to appreciate any one thing ! So no I would not like to return to that era !
NYC sites needed to build the skyscrapers became the priority so the history got sidelined in the name of new development. IOW money was the motivation !
Agree, however it wasn`t about the art, it was about the ability to show off the fact that you could afford it all- to "one up" everyone else. I wonder what happened to all of the paintings.
The destruction of the craftsmanship and artisan workmanship of those grand houses is so sad. We're not likely to ever see such beauty again.
Greed to build bigger more impressive buildings… to make money!
@@sweetlexii71 Yeah, so? Who wouldn’t want to make more money? There’s nothing wrong with that so, it’s not because of greed. Remember, they spent a lot of money from their own pockets to build, even bigger and better homes or buildings. It’s too bad some people don’t know how to just enjoy watching a video that’s not negative or bad, but there’s always the judgmental critics on social media. 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
Yes, why do they have to get ride of these????
@@JMarieCAlove The comment was was about tearing down a historical building. Not a generic whatever building. ( I do agree that there is nothing wrong with building new things. Only the whole world survives off the backs of everyone else. It didn't use to be a money first world. When it wasn't people respected and cared for others.) Sometimes it's nice to see old things restored and cared for just because.... Not torn down because someone's wallet needs more big bills to keep the old bills company.
I bet the Hurst mansion is comparable.
One of my fondest memories is visiting Beechwood when it was open for tours. The tour guides assumed characters from the era of Mrs. Astor. The "doorman" asked for our "calling cards" and took our tickets and closed the door and disappeared. He returned almost immediately, and said, "Thankfully, your corner has been turned down, which means that you'll be received." As we were waiting the start of the next tour, the "doorman" asked my friend and me how many "costumes" we brought with us. Playing the part, I said, "four," and my friend said, "five," to which he said, "Oh, you"re here only for a day - not the weekend?"
He then asked the color of my ballgown, and I told him yellow. My friend said that hers was blue, to which he replied, "Oh, good. You've been informed that Mrs. Astor's color is pink and you're never to wear her color.
And a "Roosevelt daughter" of some relation showed us through the home and asked, "Wherever did you ladies get those bloomers?" referring to our slacks. At the end of the tour, we were served a cup of Mrs. Astor famous strawberry tea.
Those were the good old days. Memories which last a lifetime.
That is so cool!!! I wish I could do something like that
@@jolenaroe3001 I wish I could do it again. I also visited Hammersmith Farm when it was open for tours. Oh, for the good old days.
How fun!!! ❤ thank you for sharing
that sound excellent - im going to start doing that when people visit my home
What a great memory!
Such beautiful properties to now be all gone.
When we were children and balked at doing our chores, my grandmother would point her finger and say, "just who do you think you are? Mrs Astor?" Such a memory as we did not know who Mrs Astor was.
LOL, my Mother said the SAME thing! It’s not until I became an adult did I learn that there was a REAL Mrs. Astor!! Ha! My. Other was jealous of wealthy people…😮
I've never heard of that one. I'm going to start using it, just for the fun of it. Then when they don't know what I'm talking about I'll tell them to look it up. And be sure they specify THE Mrs Astor.
My mom said the same but she would call her "Lady Astor".
😊I haven’t thought about that saying for years. I do remember my Mother and Grandmother saying the same thing! Isn’t it funny how the saying traveled all over…I need to mention that to my sister to see if she remembers.
It's heartbreaking that those who have the means to preserve such beautiful buildings choose instead to replace them with something of far less value and beauty, simply to satisfy their own interests.
Agree
I mean, the Empire State Building is one of the most iconic buildings in the world still.
If we had that much money to waste I wonder what taste we’d have?
Their interests, like that of the original owners was a desire, often referred to as greed, for Money, extreme earnings and Ego, that had a sort of addiction in it's appetite for attention.
All of us, at varying degrees,are susceptible to same. It requires a habit of being "Conscious in Thought" +"Applying Higher Mind" to Mature through that energy.
@@evelien135 Yes iconic, but still not the same as having a private residence/grand mansion.
Paris and Rome kept all their historical houses so whenever you visit their cities, youre greeted by these beautiful old buildings with gorgeous architecture. It was part of their charm. I wish New York kept the old Gilded Age houses, like made regularions on keeping historical houses intact. New york wouldve been different.
Actually, much of Paris was demolished in the mid- to late-19th century and completely rebuilt, destroying the medieval city. That's the Paris you know.
The reason these buildings were demolished was that it had to do with the dilution of the fortunes and the prohibited upkeep after the 1929's financial crash.
As I recall, the Pittock Manson was severely damaged during the Columbus Day storm in 1962. Portlanders highly skilled woodworking craftsman and volunteers
worked to restore the b vacant home 🏡. Remains a beautiful tourist attraction especially during the Holidays and when the summer gardens are in bloom, can also see three mountains from the formal living room and bedrooms on the second floor.
@@binatangmerah True. But Paris was rebuilt before WWII, and thus before the time when Western architects lost their minds. NYC was rebuilt much later and suffered for it.
Many fine buildings in London were unfortunately bombed during World War 2.
I had no idea that was the origin of Waldorf Astoria hotels. Quite fascinating.
I u
Such a tragedy that these stunning NY mansions have disappeared. So much cultural history wrapped up in these golden age buildings.
This is why American cities are so banal compared to European ones. We tear down our history for the sake of "progress" and end up with the ugliness that is modern architecture that completely lacks character.
@@lukejohnson1274 the modern contemporary office buildings in the uk are being built to last no more than 50: years, astonishing! Paris for example remains beautiful because it wasn’t bombed in the 2nd WW and hasn’t been allowed to be destroyed by property developers.
That constitutes a tragedy? Just wow. You think you would have access to them?
@@debbylou5729 they would be unlikely to still be private homes, but could so easily have been adapted to other uses. This is what happens to beautiful old building in Europe. They are re purposed. Mostly could have been wonderful apartments.
@@juliancoulden1753 I’ve lived in towns where they have ‘been divided for other uses’. I’ve lived in these towns and I can say without a doubt I would rather have seen them torn down
In 1904 John Jacob Astor IV built the St. Regis Hotel which had the world´s first A/C prototype and, fortunately, has been declared a New York City Landmark.
I’m so surprised by the outside look of the house.. I can't believe these beautiful homes are gone what a shame.
It's so sad that all those mansions are gone now. That would be nearly impossible here in Spain to be destroyed.
Most were torn down over 100 years ago. What was the attitude to old buildings in Spain at that time?
@@Sashazur In Spain over 100 years ago we already had some laws to protect old buildings. The first one to be protected was the Cathedral of Leon in 1844. And then in 1931 we had a more serious law to protect all those buildings. We have lost buildings, but those were torn down illegaly.
The series "The Gilded Age" by writer/director Julian Fellowes (also the writer/director of Downton Abbey) made me interested in the old wealth of New York. It's historic fiction with Mrs. Astor as an imposing character to the newer New York wealthy wanting to fit in. I had wondered watching the series (they haven't released the third season yet and the first two were really good), if and where these grand old mansions were still there, so it's sad to find out that many were torn down and hotels or other things were created in their place. I had no idea the Empire State Building is on the site of one of the Astor mansions. So interesting and educational. Thank you!
I have thoroughly enjoyed that show as well. so interesting to see beachwood was on it and many of the people were real that are featured on the show!
Season 2 of Gilded Age is airing currently. There is only one complete season so far.
The Waldorf-Astoria was NOT "torn down and replaced with The Empire State Building". I have stayed there several times!!
@@cecilybumtrinket1986 The current Waldorf Astoria is not the original. The original Waldorf Astoria, built on the site of the Astor manor, was torn down in 1929 to make way for the Empire State Building. The modern Waldorf Astoria was built in 1931 in a different place
Reading Anderson Coopers book “ The Vanderbilts”, so this video really brings the Guilded Age to life .
In about 1959 in Miami, I met John Jacob Astor whose mother Madalyn had been pregnant with him on the Titanic, and survived. My aunt was friends with the nanny of Jackie Astor, Johns daughter. I was about 6 years old and my aunt told me that I was going to meet a millionaire. He shook my hand, but I remember expecting money to be bulging from his pockets. I was very disappointed that he didn’t even give me a dollar! 😂 My 10 year old sister spent the day playing with Jackie. We never saw them again.
Money bulging from his pockets! I really did LOL. The imaginations of children are such fun. Thanks for sharing this story, it made my morning. 😊
Rich entitled and no thought about those less fortunate. 😡
What a beautiful story…I enjoyed it so much! It reminded me of meeting with Elizabeth Arden in her New York office around the summer of 1956. My Grandmother carried her makeup in her Drugstore in Overton, Tx. In those days most drugstores might sell makeup, jewelry, baby clothes, men and women’s perfumes have a soda fountain…it was all magical to me❤️
Great video, Ken! When Mrs. Astor referred to women who would come after her in society I wonder if she was making a dig at Alva Vanderbilt. --- Also you and your viewers might be interested in the book "Mrs. Astor's New York -- Money and Social Power" by Eric Homberger. -- I noticed that across the street from Mrs. Astor's original house we can see the marble Stewart mansion: maybe the subject of another "This House" video? --- I found the Astor houses overwhelming. The original house in its original form probably would have worked for me!
Fun facts: the John Jacob Astor who was lost on the Titanic invented the bicycle brake and was one of the first science-fiction writers. He wrote a novel about a man who tilted the earth on its axis and was able to create perpetual springtime.
I worked in a building at 34th&5th, right across the street from the Empire State Building. I had no idea this was where her mansion was.
Having watched the Gilded Age, this channel is a great find!
I loved from the movie “The Age Of Innocence” depicting how the wealthy old money New Yorkers in the 19th century would have their nightly dinners. They took hours with 6 or 7 courses.
Nancy Astors was my great great Aunt...such an amazing Lady!!!xxx
My aunt was a couture dress maker in Bond st London, she had said many times that she had made a dress for Nancy Astor, auntie was still making her own clothes in her lat 80s. I wish I had listened to her saying I could follow in her footsteps but I was a trainee wedding cake decorator and was very happy in my job 🤗
Rich parasites
Hey Cousin! Caroline Schermerhorn Astor was my Great Great Grandmother. She remembered playing with Waldorf at Bryant Park and then the awful family torment when “Jack” Astor was lost on the Titanic. Growing up as a child in that wealthy “public” environment was very stressful.
Were there two of them?
I'd be more convinced if you had spelled her surname correctly, but whatever.
Imagine a world with no tax? I don't think you could even come close to building something on this scale today ... not enough skilled trades people who know what labor intensive craftsmanship goes into building on this scale. Great video! Cheers.
And they did it mostly by hand or use of basic machine. No electricity or computers
Makes me want to cry when such beautiful hard work and all of those memories fill the place and then it’s slaughtered
Unless it has changed the Astor family still owns the Newport manison. During the late 80's I took a tour of the 5 mansions that are preserved by the society. The Astor, in order to keep funds rolling in, had murder mystery theatre. Costume period actors, who lived there, walked two groups throughout the mansion giving clues. Upon conclusion we were brought into the ballroom for the answer. Terrific! The newest mansion is the Duke mansion.
Very intrigueing
The “Astor’s Beechwood” was open for tours for many years and I even attended some period dressed balls and a concert there, but unfortunately about 10 or so years ago a private party bought it and it is no longer open to the public. I walked past it the other day and massive landscaping changes have been made in the front such that you can no longer see the house from Bellevue Avenue. So sad!!
I think I did that tour as well. I remember the one I really wanted to see had a murder and was closed to the public.
My Daughter and I went to Christmas Dinner at Bee h wood with Mrs. Astor. It was a delightful occasion and a lovely memory.
That's really sad how it all ended for her.
Look at the bright side - she was born to luxury and lived an opulent lifestyle for 78 years. Her health problems were only in the last couple of years of her life and she was still enough "with it" she could give a magazine interview a few days before her death. She led a life none of us could imagine. She did alright.
@@CherieODell-s9m Ivanna trump fell down her staircase as well. Something about the staircase, maybe it was considered “tacky” to use the elevator.
My goodness, I can’t even imagine that type of wealth!
And the poor had no say except to work
in the days of no income taxes, incredible wealth was possible!
@ko7577thank you for this clarification. Too many have been bamboozled into believing a false narrative.
People like to scream about excessive wealth. But it sure produced beautiful masterpiece architecture which were works of art in their own right. I took interior design with a historical renovation focus in college, and I majored in history. I've seen these gorgeous structures firsthand. But now we have blah structures with no character, painted in dull neutrals, and are cheaply built. There's a reason these marvelous mansions have withstood the test of time. They would probably still be standing today if they hadn't been demolished. But now we have places built 30-50 years ago that look to be on the verge of collapse. Punch a Victorian-era wall it will break your hand. Punch a 21st century wall, you'll break the house.
Agree and I find our American culture of tear down and rebuild to be wasteful plus the results of new building is ghastly
That's all well & good, but maintaining those fancy structures proves to be something rather difficult to do after a while. Hence so many old mansions rotting away in the country areas of Europe - their owners often abandon them because they cannot afford the repairs or the servants to keep up that lifestyle ! Luckily there are organisations that take some of them on & make businesses out of them to protect them for the future.
Envy is an ugly thing. The people crying over other people having great wealth would trade places in a heartbeat.
Fascinating video. Thank you for sharing this. Blessings - Judith 🎭🎵
This is a proof that projects, arts and buildings with great qualities are worth to be featured. Keep honing your skills to reach that excellence that is qualified to be documented and celebrated. 👏🏼😉
Thank you for all the research that this entail. Very interesting families and life styles
More interesting than the owners the real narration should cover Who were the artists and masons who built the impossible mansions architecture that is virtually impossible to build today. The interior designers are more interesting to learn about.
tartarian design
I highly recommend you read John jakes "the Americans " its written for this era. A great read. Lots of historical information included though its a work of fiction its highly accurate. Astor is spoken of in the book. "The Americans " is book 8 of john jakes Kent family chronicles. The entire series is fabulous and follows a family through many generations starting w one individuals immigration from france.
Those are great books!
I haven't read them in years, I should try to find them.
Note to self: no marble stairs
There was a runner on them.
Everything beautiful about the past we are not likely to see to see again.
They found some nice stuff laying around America.
And many other countries
Amazing places. Thank you!
I love my mom, one of the most well read women I have ever met and she could drop some hints, tongue in cheek
Absolutely amazing video! Congratulations in every possible way!
Excellent video, as usual. I've been to Beechwood and it's fabulous. I love interesting old houses and your channel brings these wonderful old buildings to life. Thanks.
Wow, just wow!
There’s still a mansion from them in Sands Point, by Port Washington in Long Island NY. As well as a road lined with modern mansions called Astor Ln.
Are you referring to Hempstead House? Because that was built by the Gould family (as in Jay Gould the railroad tycoon) and then later sold to and expanded by the Guggenheim family-- not the Astors.
This was doubly interesting, the commenters had such great comments. Loved it. Our “high society” today are no match!
I live near an Astor in Lyneham, Oxfordshire, England. They basically own the whole village of Bruen. I saw a package left out the front gate in the rain the other day and knocked on her front door (hoping to meet her). No one answered. 0:42
This was fascinating. Thank you for making this video. I loved her Summer home.
I think Beechwood is the most beautiful of them all. A grand but not vulgar country house. Pretty sad that there are barely no photographs or films of the interior in the internet. The other Newport cottages are so well documented.
I think the staircase in the double mansion is maybe the most beautiful stair hall I have ever seen. My absolute favourite. I learned that John Jacob demolished these treasures for a bigger entrance hall. I still have no idea where he put the staircases after that and how they might looked. Never saw a picture. It seems the USA is really not much into preservation as we Europeans are. Here these houses would probably stand all till this day. Thanks for the great video, Ken!
The craftsmen that build these lavish homes full of gilded frames, sculpted ceilings, and abundant in trim work are a piece of history as well, and I dont know that they had a chance at all to pass the knowledge and skill on to someone else. If it werent for pictures, there would be only fairy tales.
It can still be built today. It isn't because back then the materials were high quality and labor was cheap. Today the material is cheap but labor is expensive
@@lilythomas869 so, 47 years of homebuilding and pre- civil war architrcture means nothing? Try again , pilgrim
@@rustysmith5809 what do you mean. I answered that gilded age things could be built but are not because of high cost of labor.
@@rustysmith5809 Last 47 years? Is it high quality stuff. I don't think so.
Linwood Hall, the grand residence, of the Wideners, in Elkins Park, PA, which is right outside Philadelphia., will be restored. A fabulous commitment to bring one of grandest Gilded Age homes of all back to life.
My senior prom was held at the Beechwood Mansion.
That's a shame those buildings were torn down. Such magnificent beauty. And sad to hear of her sons fate on the Titanic.
I so excited to USA mansions 18-19-20 centuries ❤
I was lucky enough to work as a Tour Guide at Beechwood for a Summer. Theatrical Tours. We lived on the 3rd floor. The House is gorgeous. Soooo many exciting things in Newport then.
WOW . SOME NEW INFO I WAS NOT 🚫 AWARE OF ABOUT THE ASTORS THANK YOU 🐦💐
Thank you for this fascinating glimpse into our architectural past. I wasn't familiar with Mrs. Astor's bio, but as soon as I saw that marble staircase, I said, "Uh-oh, bad idea!"
John Jacob Astor IV was 48 when he died on the ill-fated voyage of the Titanic. Interesting trivia: His wife, 30 years younger, was pregnant at the time. She was also on that voyage, but survived.
Q lujo maravilloso me encanta q haya gente q viva asi😊😊😊
so good that everything is gone,gone, gone!! i couldn't breath!
There is an Astor street in Chicago that is full of multimillion dollar homes. Did the family own real estate in Chicago?
Yes, they did.
Thank you for the video! I would be pleased to own any of those mansions - if I had the income to support it!
Why do people want to live like this when rich?? If I was a billionaire I would still live conservatively.. I would hope. One still dies no matter how rich one is.
What is "conservative" for a billionaire would still be incredibly flamboyant for the average Joe.
That ballroom with the massive works of art was extraordinary. Like having your own art museum in your house. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. This woman had a rare eye for beauty. Nowadays, wealthy Americans mostly live in plain, stark houses. It's so boring.
Who are you to tell people how they should or should not live?
@@JGJGAGSG Tell that to the Bourbons or the Romanovs when the unwashed masses stopped by their palaces to discuss the matter with them.
@@DoubleDogDare54 🙄
I love Beechwood Mansion and did visit there in the 90's. It is on so grand.
I had dinner with Mr. & Mrs. John Jacob Astor VI in Acapulco, Mexico 1975.
Great video. People have referenced the guilded age show or books about that period but I keep remembering Gossip girl and the times Blair will drop her lineage 😂.
Great video . Just one note : the Waldorf hotel was built by her nephew William Waldorf Astor …not her brother in law .
Yes! and it wasn't until her brother-in-law (1890) and sister-in-law, Charlotte, died (1887) that she laid claim to the title of The Mrs. Astor. That was what started the feud with her nephew (William Waldorf Astor) who thought he and his wife should take the title - hence knocking down family home for the Waldorf Hotel. With all the same names, it IS confusing. 🙂
I preferred the Beechwood mansion, restrained, and classic design.
Thank you,very well Done!
It's difficult to choose a favorite.
Because of their respective locations, my favorites are a tossup between Beechwood and the double mansion.
I really enjoyed the history lesson regarding the house 🏘
I’d love to know where the torn-down building’s’ material were disposed…all that wood, granite and whatever else they threw away…
Landfill unfortunately. But dime pieces were donated to the MET
Ironically, many of the grand interiors had already been looted from 18th century European houses & have since moved on, often to museums - not destroyed. As to the "antique" furniture found in these belle epoque millionaire's mansions - it was often brand new at the time - authenticity was unimportant - all they wanted was the "look". Once worn out, it was tossed.
Love the video. Thank you
I love that the newly constructioed mansion came fitted with the mud flood windows in the ground
I found my new favorite channel :)
All her New York mansions are gone? I’ve never been to New York but I’d love to see her mansions
Everything in the city is gone.
Yes, not only her mansions but many others built by prominent people in New Youk such as the Vanderbilts. Such a shame that those beautiful structures were demolished with no regarded to their historical value. Alas 😔, all for the sake of progress.
New York has amazing old buildings that are just spectacular!
Its really sad when you think about it. Especially when you see what its been replaced with. What a tragic mistake theyve made.
the "mansions" are now Penthouses...."billionaires row" skyscrapers, entire top floors is alot of square feet
The wife of David Cameron, Samantha is a step- Descendant of this family
So, they paved Paradise and put up a parking lot.😢
do you have photos of the construction of these hotels?
I'd love to move into the Beechwood Manor!
Very interesting.
The beach house is my favorite.
Great video
A different era gone by.
Have you ever looked into the Frank Lloyd Wright homes in Northwest Indiana? There are some really cool art deco homes right on the Lakeshore there and I know there’s also big history of lake hotels throughout that area and into the Valparaiso area…. So cool deep dives in there.
Fantastic video! Very detailed & what an exciting time to be alive if you were in the 400!
I would definitely be in serious trouble had I been born wealthy in that era - I have always been a fierce individualist since a small child, much to my mother's consternation, so I would not have fitted into that society at all ! These homes that remain from that era are on the one hand extremely 'glamorous' & interesting but to modern tastes very over-the-top in decor choices - so much showing off ! While I enjoy antiques as individual pieces, when they are stuffed together in so much also-grand decor they lose their attraction I think. It reminds me of looking at a party table stuffed with goodies - too much at once to appreciate any one thing ! So no I would not like to return to that era !
Beechwood is now owned by Larry Ellison, CEO of Oracle
But it is a damn shame that most of those beautiful buildings are no longer standing!
NYC sites needed to build the skyscrapers became the priority so the history got sidelined in the name of new development. IOW money was the motivation !
Mrs. Astors mansion...the New York equivalent of Dr. Who's phone booth.
Historical Society should protect all of these old mansions.
What a shame the Astor house is not there anymore.
so much greed, both in creating such beauty and then too in demolishing it.
just like the LUCIFERIAN rockerfellers, creating thw WTC TWIN TOWERS, then 911, 2001
When you put up so much art it is difficult to appreciate each one…too much stuff
Agree, however it wasn`t about the art, it was about the ability to show off the fact that you could afford it all- to "one up" everyone else. I wonder what happened to all of the paintings.
Their homes-not your’s.
I’m so surprised by the outside look of the house.
Does anyone know who is on top of New Yorks social circle now?
i think social circles is a thing of the past.....koch brothers, board of the MET, TRUMP, TEMPLE BETH EL
Cozy.
If my mom thought someone was acting "uppity" she would refer to them as Mrs. Astor. 😃
I'm wondering what happened to all that art that hung on the walls of her home? Beechwood is now owned by Larry Ellison the CTO of Oracle!
What was magical about NY is gone. Why would anyone go now?
Broadway shows.
WAS ASTOR PLACE IN GREENWICH VILLAGE NYC STREET NAMED AFTER THEM ?
The Waldorf-Astoria was NOT "torn down and replaced with The Empire State Building". I have stayed there several times!!
My Mother used to say if I got all dressed up that i looked like"Mrs Aster's pet horse" ! 😅😅😅
I thought I heard mr Astor died on the titantic and left a young wife
I never knew Astoria was named after the Astors.
2:35 that dude's eyes don't match
One of them is a fakey.
There will never be homes this lavish in the world today unless you are the top .001%