Author Topic: Old, Grand Houses  (Read 7481 times)

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Offline Karin

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Old, Grand Houses
« on: April 11, 2013, 09:48:39 AM »
I was reading a review of a memoir written by Alexandra Mizrahi, one of the descendents of the Astor clan.  The family estate is 195 year-old Rokeby, in the Hudson Valley.  It piqued my curiosity, I looked into it.



This is a classic example of an extremely rich family who have become "Once Hads."  They struggle to keep the place maintained, and to pay the taxes ($65K/year).  One of the relatives in there has a regular job, all the rest are "artists."  That explains alot.  

A while ago, they allowed the NYTimes to come in and take some photos of the interior.  Have you ever wondered what the inside of some grand homes look like?  I do all the time.  

I tried direct posting some pictures, but NYT is not letting me hotlink them.  You can see them at the link below.

I take some measure of comfort.  There's so much to improve on with the interior of my old pile of stones, but only so much the checkbook will allow.  So we do what we can with the fundamentals, and the exterior.  

At least we keep it clean.  These people behave as if they still had servants (one of the articles recounted).  They figure if it gets dirty enough, the hidden servants will magically appear. 

More here, if interested.  http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2010/07/20/garden/20100722-hudson-slideshow.html

« Last Edit: April 11, 2013, 12:24:22 PM by Karin »

Offline JohnnyReb

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Re: Old, Grand Houses
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2013, 11:11:58 AM »
People start out poor, get rich and the non-working young run thru the riches.....that's the capitalist way of spreading the wealth around.

Communist way of spreading the wealth around, you start out poor and get poorer.

“The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of ‘liberalism’, they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened.” - Norman Thomas, U.S. Socialist Party presidential candidate 1940, 1944 and 1948

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Offline Gina

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Re: Old, Grand Houses
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2013, 11:20:48 AM »






"An army of deer led by a lion is more to be feared than an army of lions led by a deer." Phillip of Macedonia, father to Alexander.

Offline Dori

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Re: Old, Grand Houses
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2013, 11:27:44 AM »
That would be a great property to own. 

It's a shame they didn't keep it up.

I was in an old home in Los Angeles that still had its original wallpaper mural in the dining room.  It was actually hand screened silk with a Chinese look, but in amazingly good condition.

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Offline thundley4

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Re: Old, Grand Houses
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2013, 11:36:07 AM »
That place looked so great on the outside, but the inside was a huge disappointment.

Offline Wineslob

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Re: Old, Grand Houses
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2013, 12:09:46 PM »
Some of the "art". I think I see the problem.


“The national budget must be balanced. The public debt must be reduced; the arrogance of the authorities must be moderated and controlled. Payments to foreign governments must be reduced, if the nation doesn't want to go bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.”

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"Practice random violence and senseless acts of brutality"

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Offline Wineslob

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Re: Old, Grand Houses
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2013, 12:13:41 PM »
This is a 'Old, Grand House":




The interior is gorgeous.


“The national budget must be balanced. The public debt must be reduced; the arrogance of the authorities must be moderated and controlled. Payments to foreign governments must be reduced, if the nation doesn't want to go bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.”

        -- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 55 BC (106-43 BC)

The unobtainable is unknown at Zombo.com



"Practice random violence and senseless acts of brutality"

If you want a gender neutral bathroom, go pee in the forest.

Offline Dori

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Re: Old, Grand Houses
« Reply #7 on: April 11, 2013, 12:19:37 PM »
I need links  :-)
“How fortunate for governments that the people     they administer don't think”  Adolph Hitler

Offline Karin

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Re: Old, Grand Houses
« Reply #8 on: April 11, 2013, 12:20:40 PM »
Where and whose is that, Wineslob?

My picture links didn't work.  They can all be seen at the link.  Sorry about that, they probably block hotlinking.  

The author of the memoir had better find a new place to live.  It's extremely uncomplimentary to her mother and father, who still live there.  They're not on speaking terms.  


That "art" is hideous and hilarious!  Some other loon there makes giant puppets for use in the NYC Halloween parade.  It's all she does.  

Offline Wineslob

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Re: Old, Grand Houses
« Reply #9 on: April 11, 2013, 02:48:40 PM »
It's Bidwell Mansion, Chico Ca. My daughter loves the place, she's into "old" homes.


We also have The Stansbury Home, it's not in as good condition as Bidwells place, but still it's pretty neat:





“The national budget must be balanced. The public debt must be reduced; the arrogance of the authorities must be moderated and controlled. Payments to foreign governments must be reduced, if the nation doesn't want to go bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.”

        -- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 55 BC (106-43 BC)

The unobtainable is unknown at Zombo.com



"Practice random violence and senseless acts of brutality"

If you want a gender neutral bathroom, go pee in the forest.

Offline Wineslob

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“The national budget must be balanced. The public debt must be reduced; the arrogance of the authorities must be moderated and controlled. Payments to foreign governments must be reduced, if the nation doesn't want to go bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.”

        -- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 55 BC (106-43 BC)

The unobtainable is unknown at Zombo.com



"Practice random violence and senseless acts of brutality"

If you want a gender neutral bathroom, go pee in the forest.

Offline Dori

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“How fortunate for governments that the people     they administer don't think”  Adolph Hitler

Offline longview

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Re: Old, Grand Houses
« Reply #12 on: April 11, 2013, 11:07:53 PM »
I love those old houses.  We have nothing like that here.

Looking at them, though, reminds me of the Italian saying about "Three generations from shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves."  I agree that few families can "live off the wealth" and they have to diversify and keep building it.

Back when I was a street urchin, growing up in Detroit, I haunted the cathedrals, grand hotels, old office buildings, and dumps that had wonderful architechure and a history.  A couple of my favorite neighborhoods to roam were Indian Village and Palmer Park.  Beautiful houses.

Offline catsmtrods

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Re: Old, Grand Houses
« Reply #13 on: April 12, 2013, 01:23:08 AM »
I work on the heating systems for most of the mansions on the banks of the Hudson. I will say I would not want any of the house's as you would not be able to maintain them nor are they maintained without a full grounds crew and maintenance dept. The only ones that are maintained have been taken over by the state. Scary thought huh, but true. I get free tours all the time. Not impressed. If I were rich I would not live like that. I would just be free and live free so far in the woods it would take a team of drones to find me!
"Liberalism is an essentially feminine, submissive world view. Perhaps a better adjective than feminine is infantile. It is the world view of men who do not have the moral toughness, the spiritual strength to stand up and do single combat with life, who cannot adjust to the reality that the world is not a huge, pink-and-blue, padded nursery in which the lions lie down with the lambs and everyone lives happily ever after."


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Offline Wineslob

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Re: Old, Grand Houses
« Reply #14 on: April 12, 2013, 09:41:24 AM »
Quote
If I were rich I would not live like that. I would just be free and live free so far in the woods it would take a team of drones to find me!


My wife and I are the same way. Nice to go look at those old homes, but give me a cabin near a trout lake/stream.
“The national budget must be balanced. The public debt must be reduced; the arrogance of the authorities must be moderated and controlled. Payments to foreign governments must be reduced, if the nation doesn't want to go bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.”

        -- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 55 BC (106-43 BC)

The unobtainable is unknown at Zombo.com



"Practice random violence and senseless acts of brutality"

If you want a gender neutral bathroom, go pee in the forest.

Offline CG6468

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Re: Old, Grand Houses
« Reply #15 on: April 12, 2013, 11:07:12 AM »
My wife and I are the same way. Nice to go look at those old homes, but give me a cabin near a trout lake/stream.

Same here! Additionally, those old homes aren't very well insulated, either.
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: Old, Grand Houses
« Reply #16 on: April 18, 2013, 06:05:00 PM »
Same here! Additionally, those old homes aren't very well insulated, either.

Cold air builds character!   :-)

I really like that crow mural on the wall in Karin's link.

Offline ADiii

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Re: Old, Grand Houses
« Reply #17 on: April 18, 2013, 07:30:12 PM »
Any of you ever see this place?



It's the Biltmore near Asheville, NC. Jawdropping.

Offline Chris_

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Re: Old, Grand Houses
« Reply #18 on: April 18, 2013, 08:05:56 PM »
Any of you ever see this place?

It's the Biltmore near Asheville, NC. Jawdropping.
I went there once when I was very young.  I'm thinking Asheville might make a good weekend trip for a visit.
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Offline ADiii

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Re: Old, Grand Houses
« Reply #19 on: April 18, 2013, 09:26:59 PM »
It's very nice. If you're into art, there's plenty of it. Easy access to the mountains.

I enjoyed my weekend there.

Offline Alpha Mare

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Re: Old, Grand Houses
« Reply #20 on: April 18, 2013, 10:04:43 PM »
When I lived in Marion, I went to the Biltmore all the time.  Fascinating place, especially at Christmas.  You have to take the "behind the scene" tour.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: Old, Grand Houses
« Reply #21 on: April 18, 2013, 10:11:08 PM »
Do they have self-guided tours or do I have to follow along with some group?  I want to go and take some pictures (I know there's no flash photography allowed... I don't need it).
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline Wineslob

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Re: Old, Grand Houses
« Reply #22 on: April 19, 2013, 09:51:58 AM »
Have you been to the Huntington Library?

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=huntington+library&FORM=HDRSC2#view=detail&id=ADEABAF40D364CA4A2E4AE1EE6DA840C23A3056D&selectedIndex=33




Nope, but looks pretty cool. It's at the other end of the state from me, about a 10 hr+ drive.
“The national budget must be balanced. The public debt must be reduced; the arrogance of the authorities must be moderated and controlled. Payments to foreign governments must be reduced, if the nation doesn't want to go bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.”

        -- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 55 BC (106-43 BC)

The unobtainable is unknown at Zombo.com



"Practice random violence and senseless acts of brutality"

If you want a gender neutral bathroom, go pee in the forest.

Offline catsmtrods

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Re: Old, Grand Houses
« Reply #23 on: April 20, 2013, 05:30:32 AM »
I keep this place warm. Every summer I spend 2 days here all alone servicing the boilers. I always lunch in the gazebo.








http://youtu.be/kwjks6TRqKk
« Last Edit: April 20, 2013, 05:33:20 AM by catsmtrods »
"Liberalism is an essentially feminine, submissive world view. Perhaps a better adjective than feminine is infantile. It is the world view of men who do not have the moral toughness, the spiritual strength to stand up and do single combat with life, who cannot adjust to the reality that the world is not a huge, pink-and-blue, padded nursery in which the lions lie down with the lambs and everyone lives happily ever after."


~ Dr. William Pierce


 

"How many more times are we going to cower under tables and chairs, whimpering like mindless dogs, thinking that someone else has the responsibility to save and protect us?"

Offline catsmtrods

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Re: Old, Grand Houses
« Reply #24 on: April 20, 2013, 05:48:02 AM »
These also







"Liberalism is an essentially feminine, submissive world view. Perhaps a better adjective than feminine is infantile. It is the world view of men who do not have the moral toughness, the spiritual strength to stand up and do single combat with life, who cannot adjust to the reality that the world is not a huge, pink-and-blue, padded nursery in which the lions lie down with the lambs and everyone lives happily ever after."


~ Dr. William Pierce


 

"How many more times are we going to cower under tables and chairs, whimpering like mindless dogs, thinking that someone else has the responsibility to save and protect us?"