Evening star., 1925-11-22
Vanderbilt Home, Scene
OF Gay Parties, Passing
Hallowed Ground of Famous Mansion to Echo
With Sound of Wrecker's Hammer to
Give Way to Business

NEW YORK. November 21.-Hollon
footsteps on hallowed ground
memories of grandeur turned to dust
TO be scuffed about by throngS OF
curiosity seekers, such is the requiem
of the famous William *. Vanderbilt
mansion on the northwest corner OF
Fifth avenue and Fifty second street
Within the last quarter of century
this structure has been the scene OF
entertainments which daZzled F,u
ropean potentateS. few weeks more
and gaping window frames will gaze
Vacantly on the thoroughfare OF
fashion while the roof totters under
blows of the wrecker's hammer The
Vanderbilt mansion, doomed and
stripped OF its imperial tinery, must
pass out. hurried into the discard by
advancing trade and soaring taxes.
So VIII end the transition from the
pinnacle of social brilliancy. busi-
ness building is to be erected on the
site.
AS a final note in the tune to which
the smartest of the smart set danced
for several decades the stately
editice VIII be thrown open to the
public inspection as a parting gift to
charity. \ small admission fee will
be charged and the proceeds given to
some worthy cause. Thanksgiving
week has been set as the time for this
drearY farewell After that the
laborer with his pickax and crowbar.
But what a series of chapters in
the social life of New York were com
piled behind the massive bronze doors
The building of the editice was pro-
1ected by the beautiful Miss Alva
Smith when she became the bride of
the late William X. Vanderbilt. in
the early seventies. 1t was her idea
TO construct a home which would be
the most talked about building in
America at that time. 1t cost 81 OO0-
600 to accomplish that project, but
she had the satisfaction of seeing her
daughter walk from its portals as
the bride of the Duke of Marlborough.
Planned by one of the foremost
architects of the time. the building
was constructed of stone imported
from overseas, while the carvings
were made by European workmen.
The works of art which adorn the in
terror were among the best the world
could produce. In it's ensemble the
magnificent building resembled the
famous chateau at Tours. France,
which served as pattern for con-
struction. One of the most i'm. .,ressive
features of the mansion is the grand
staircase, which is regarded as II mas
terpieCe of the stone carver's art and
probably has been trayerSed by more
famous people than any other stair
case in America. Another marvellous
attraction is the two-story banqueting
hall in the rear of the home with its
high -paneled wainscot of natural oak
and exquisite carving. The upper part
of the walls are Caen stone. and there
is a mantelpiece of the Francis |
period.
A room of exceptional beauty and
dainty appeal Is that which served
the first Mrs. Vanderbilt as
hN boudoir. 1t adjoins d bathroom
lined with plate glass mirrors. in
which was a bathtub hewn from a
solid block of Italian marble Through
out the house nothing was forgotten
which would cause society to gasp in
admiration. and the scores of rooms,
even the servants quarters were car
ried out on the same elaborate scale.
One of the historical events which
took place in the Vanderbilt mansion
was the famous fancy dress ball in
1883. The lavish display set new
standard for society to follow and the
smart set OF the old world paused to
absorb the brilliant details Since
that time there have been many af-
fairs within its doors which have
cast their glitter over society.
Among the important engagements
which have interested the smart set
lately is that of Miss Louise Gleason
to Ensign Frederic S. Wilmington.
Both Of the young folk have many
friends in society here Miss Gleason
is the daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Car
Isle J. Gleason of III Madison avenue
and East Hampton, Long Island She
was graduated from Miss Porter's
School, at Earnninkrfnn Conn nrd l.