Day 17- Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why

I always say I wished I was born into a rich family... If I could go back to a time period, I think it would be interesting to live in the early 1900's. Especially with that type of wealth!

Cornelia Vanderbilt

With that being said, I would want to switch lives with Cornelia Vanderbilt (1900-1976). She was the only child of George Washington Vanderbilt II (1862-1914) and wife Edith Stuyvesant Dresser. She was married at the age of 24 to John F. A. Cecil and had 2 children George (1925) and William (1928). Later she inherited the Biltmore Estates.

Vanderbilt Family

The Vanderbilt family was highly prominent during the 19th century due to railroad and shipping empires, the family is known for 'building America's railroads'. The Vanderbilt family members were leaders of the high society scene and the Gilded Age until the early 20th century, when some of the mansions were torn down or sold or turned into museums. The Vanderbilt's remain the 7th wealthiest family in history.

Biltmore House

The Biltmore House is located near Asheville, NC, built be George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1889 and 1895. He built a railroad to the house, just to provide the supplies. It is the largest privately-owned home in the US, at 175,000 square feet with 250 rooms. The house includes a library with 10,00 volumes, an indoor pool, running water and toilets (yes in the late 1800's!!!), bowling alley, endless gardens, horseback riding, etc. Could you imagine? My mother didn't have running water or toilet in the house when she was a child (born 1949), however Cornelia had it all!

Biltmore 'Backyard'

Can you imagine the freedom of horseback riding in the woods! What a dream!

Estate Gardens

Festival of Flowers (April 2009)