Join us for a very special Christmas season as we mark the 125th anniversary of George Vanderbilt first opening the estate to his friends and family on Christmas Eve in 1895. In honor of that, let’s take a closer look at the sheer amount of décor displayed at Biltmore this Christmas season. https://bit.ly/31Nx6tQ | Biltmore

13K views · 760 reactions | Do you recognize this detail from Biltmore House's Library? This female figure is one of two that flank the Library fireplace's mantle, carved by #KarlBitter. Concealed by this mantle, there is an alternate entrance to the Library, where guests of the Vanderbilts could have easy access to nighttime reading selections before retiring to their rooms. #Biltmore #GildedAgeMansions | Biltmore | Facebook

"The George Vanderbilts were in residence during our first winter (in Asheville) and perhaps twice a week we would dine with them and George would read aloud as we gathered by the fire in the fabulous library." -- Texas Bates McKee, a guest of the Vanderbilts in the early 1900's. 📷: The ceiling mural in The Library at Biltmore House. For more: https://bit.ly/3GRRwW8 | Biltmore