Biltmore Estate, Asheville, North Carolina

About this estate, there is one thing to say

It is the largest home in the USA

As America’s Largest Home, Biltmore House has captured the imagination of millions with its sheer size – the square footage of four football fields – the 35 bedrooms, the 43 bathrooms, and a full-sized swimming pool in the basement. Yet it was also a warm and welcoming home where a family lived and a little girl grew up. George Vanderbilt’s dream lives on as one of western North Carolina’s rarest treasures.

Biltmore House by the Numbers

•   Located in Asheville, N.C., Biltmore was the vision of George Washington Vanderbilt. Designed by Richard Morris Hunt, Biltmore House - America’s largest home - is a 250-room French Renaissance chateau, and houses the Vanderbilt family’s original collection of furnishings, art and antiques.

•   Biltmore Estate encompasses more than 8,000 acres including renowned gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of American landscape architecture.

•   Today, Biltmore has grown to include Antler Hill Village, which features the award-winning Winery and Antler Hill Farm; the four-star Inn on Biltmore Estate; Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate; Equestrian Center; numerous restaurants; event and meeting venues; and Biltmore For Your Home, the company’s licensed products division.

•   The Biltmore Company is owned by William A.V. Cecil and operated by his son, president and CEO William A.V. Cecil, Jr.

•   William A.V. Cecil is the grandson of George Washington Vanderbilt. He assumed sole ownership of The Biltmore Company in 1979. His brother, George H.V. Vanderbilt, formed Biltmore Farms, Inc. that same year.

•   Biltmore does not receive any governmental funding or grants, making it one of the United States’ most significant National Historic Landmarks that is preserved solely through private funding.

  Biltmore employs approximately 2,300 people in Buncombe County and the surrounding counties.

  For more information, visit: http://www.biltmore.com/

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  Photos courtesy of The Biltmore Company

  
  

George W. Bush Childhood Home, Midland Texas

Come see this fully restored home of George's childhood

A tour will certainly make you feel good

A Presidential Site unlike any other

The George W. Bush Childhood Home is a truly unique place in American history. Home to two Presidents, two Governors, and a First Lady, this remarkable 1950’s restoration gives visitors a unique perspective of the Bush family and their legacy, insight into the restoration of this modest home and provides an interesting view of life in 1050s Midland.

Purchased in 2001, the home has been restored to the period of 1950-1951 when George H.W. and Barbara Bush and their family lived here. The restoration process took nearly 5 years to complete. This process included document research, meeting with the former owners, including the Bush Family, historical research into the history of Midland, acquiring necessary approval from the National Register of Historic Places, Texas Historical Commission and other city, county and state agencies. The actual restoration process proved to be quite a challenge given the condition of the home and the modifications which had been made from 1956-2000.

Built in 1939, this home was then located in an area of wide open fields. By the time the Bush family bought the home, many of the surrounding homes had been built and it was a thriving neighborhood with many children with which George W. and Jeb could play.

The home saw lots of laughter and joy during the early 1950’s. Neighborhood barbeques and parties were common and local children would visit the home to play in the spacious backyard. Jeb Bush was born while the family lived here and so was Neil Bush. It was while living here that the family lost their beloved Pauline Robinson (Robin) to leukemia.

When the family outgrew this home they purchased a larger home in Midland where they lived from late 1955-1959.

The George W. Bush Childhood Home was dedicated on April 11, 2006. Since then over 60,000 visitors have toured the home. These include guests from over 80 foreign countries, all 50 states and 3 US territories.

Paul St. Hilaire, Executive Director, is awed by some of the feedback given by visitors, “Many have no idea that George and Barbara had 6 children and the extent to which they dedicated themselves to the community.

Some of their legacy includes volunteering at the hospital, teaching Sunday School at First Presbyterian, serving on the PTA of Sam Houston Elementary and raising funds for our first YMCA building & first Midland Symphony Orchestra. Barbara was in the Womens League and was a den mother for George’s Cub Scout pack. George H.W. established Little League baseball in Midland.

Many visitors are also amazed at the variety of items in the Gift Shop. Toys of the 50s, t-shirts, hats, polo shirts, books written by and about the Bush Family, cookbooks, historical books, patriotic items, collectibles, posters, mugs and many other items line the shelves of the Gift Shop, located across the street from the historic home.

Visit this unique attraction and rediscover an important piece of Midland’s and the nation’s history.

The home is open for tours from 10 AM-5 PM Tues-Sat and 2-5 PM on Sunday Tours given until 4:30 PM. A staff of dedicated volunteers provides the tours.

1412 West Ohio Avenue

Midland, TX 432-685-1112

For more information, visit: www.bushchildhoodhome.org