The Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina is one of my favorite places to visit any time of the year. George Vanderbilt opened the house officially on Christmas Eve in 1895 as the family home for George, wife Edith and their daughter Cornelia. Cornelia married the Honorable John Francis Amherst Cecil in 1924 and they lived and entertained at The Biltmore from that date. They opened the home to the public in 1930 in an effort to increase tourism during the Depression and to help with funding the preservation of the estate during the lean years to follow.
The Biltmore continues as a family business today with descendants overseeing that day to day operations as well as employing over 2000 employees who help to maintain this wonderful estate. I love visiting any time of the year and am never disappointed in finding new things to explore with each return to the estate. 
Recently my friend Ann and I went to view the Fashionable Romance showcase which features an exhibition of beautiful movie costumes and also some of the family heirlooms from the Vanderbilts. The Biltmore has some great incentives for Passholders during the off months and Chris and I decided that it would be worth the money to be a Passholder and so far it has been a great investment. Ann’s admission was free to this event plus we received discounts on dining and purchases as well.
Another thing that I am happy has changed since we bought our membership is that non flash amateur photography is now allowed inside the house. This has not always been the case but I suspect with the prevalence of cell phone cameras it has become increasingly difficult to monitor photography so I happily took a few amateur photos of my own this trip.
This will be a multi part series so please enjoy the photos and the descriptions that follow.
Middlemarch with Trevyn McDowell as Rosamund Vincy
The dress from Middlemarch
So many of the movies that are featured in the exhibit were unknown to me prior to the exhibition so I may be trying to find some of them in an effort to see some more beautiful costuming.
Costume from Tess With Natasja Kinski as Tess Durbeyfield. This one was found in the gift shop area and was spectacular.
The Duchess featuring Kiera Knightley.
From The Duchess as worn by Kiera Knightley and Ralph Fiennes
How about a glimpse at the Entrance Hall all decked out in wedding regalia?
I love the Banquet Hall as well with its stunning decor, mammoth dining table and beautifully decorated chandelier.
Come back later this week for more glimpses inside The Biltmore and the Fashionable Romance collection.
Don’t forget to Comment for a Cause. and check out my book giveaway here.
23 Comments
Leave a commentWhat a wonderful exhibit! We visited the Biltmore several years ago, but I wasn’t “into” photography or blogging at the time. It’s wonderful that they allow non-flash photography now. I’m thinking we may need to re-visit. It’s an amazing place. Thanks for sharing your pictures: looking forward to more!
Love the chandelier!
I am glad you enjoyed this post. It is such an amazing place and I see something different every single time I visit. I still need to do some of the other tours they offer as well. Come on anytime and I will meet you there!
Thanks Beth Ann for once again introducing me to a place of which I’ve heard but will probably never visit. Isn’t this blogging world wonderful. It takes us to so many wonderful places without even leaving our homes.
We hope we get to see the Biltmore when we visit someday! Actually, I forgot that Donna and I were already there;)
Oh, how very lovely!! You know how I love the Biltmore too. When I first saw your photos, I thought how did she get to take photos INSIDE?? Then I read where non-flash amateur photography is now allowed. Yay! Sounds like we need to take another trip down there. 🙂
It is fascinating to me to think that it was originally a single family residence..OMG.
Beautiful photos, Beth Ann! I remember Natassja Kinski not as an actor (in Tess) but as the one who posed for a photo shoot in Vogue with a serpent (a huge one) coiled on her naked body – remember that?
I have never heard of any of these movies, but am thoroughly enjoying this and can’t wait to see more!!
In my 25 years in NC, I never made it to Biltmore, much to my disappointment. However, having done Renaissance Faires and having made 4 complete Elizabethan noblewoman’s outfits, I love period films. On the other hand, when they aren’t period correct it kills me.
Oh I bet it does kill you when the details are incorrect. The Biltmore is pricy but worth the money in my humble opinion.
You know I would love this place. Love. Fantastic that non-flash photography is now allowed. I always am irked by places that don’t allow it.
I know they had their reasons but it was a good change when they allowed it. I think it might clog things up a bit while tourists try to frame the perfect shot but it is free publicity for them so why not?
ahhh The Biltmore… We’ve never been, but with each post from your blog concerning it, the more my curiosity is piqued. Going to have to take the trip! Thanks 🙂
Bucket list!!!!
I’ve seen several specials about this wonderful place but have never visited. Hoping one of these days I’ll make the trip. Great post.
I think you would love it!!!
This place looks amazing and costumes from some of my favourite movies and shows! I can´t wait for more to come.
I have to get busy and write a third one and maybe a fourth one. There were so many beautiful dresses!
So cool!! We visited Asheville last August, but didn’t have time to tour the house. I wish now that we had! It’s so gorgeous!
That just means you need to come back for a visit! What was your favorite thing you did in Asheville? We love it there.
Some of my favorite things we did: (1) went to one the best yoga classes I ever had at the Asheville Yoga Center, (2) ate Thai almost daily at Suwana’s Thai Orchid, (3) walked through the Grand Bohemian, (4) shopping at the local artist galleries and studios, (5) visited the Toy Box.
I think we’re going back in July. 😀
[…] You can read another post about my visit by clicking here and the first post about the Fashionable Romance collection by clicking here. […]
[…] Fashionable Romance at The Biltmore […]