As You Can See
The Astors Lyrics

Isaac Nelson

that sound excellent - im going to start doing that when people visit my home

TennesseeTrio

What a great memory!

Vault713

It's heartbreaking that those who have the means to preserve such beautiful buildings choose instead to replace them with something of far less value and beauty, simply to satisfy their own interests.

arribafication wineho

Agree

Eve lien

I mean, the Empire State Building is one of the most iconic buildings in the world still.

SI Ison

If we had that much money to waste I wonder what taste we’d have?

Beth Bartlett

Their interests, like that of the original owners was a desire, often referred to as greed, for Money, extreme earnings and Ego, that had a sort of addiction in it's appetite for attention.

All of us, at varying degrees,are susceptible to same. It requires a habit of being "Conscious in Thought" +"Applying Higher Mind" to Mature through that energy.

Julian Coulden

Such a tragedy that these stunning NY mansions have disappeared. So much cultural history wrapped up in these golden age buildings.

Luke Johnson

This is why American cities are so banal compared to European ones. We tear down our history for the sake of "progress" and end up with the ugliness that is modern architecture that completely lacks character.

Julian Coulden

@Luke Johnson the modern contemporary office buildings in the uk are being built to last no more than 50: years, astonishing! Paris for example remains beautiful because it wasn’t bombed in the 2nd WW and hasn’t been allowed to be destroyed by property developers.

Debby Lou

That constitutes a tragedy? Just wow. You think you would have access to them?

Julian Coulden

@Debby Lou they would be unlikely to still be private homes, but could so easily have been adapted to other uses. This is what happens to beautiful old building in Europe. They are re purposed. Mostly could have been wonderful apartments.

Debby Lou

@Julian Coulden I’ve lived in towns where they have ‘been divided for other uses’. I’ve lived in these towns and I can say without a doubt I would rather have seen them torn down

K Brown

Such beautiful properties to now be all gone.
When we were children and balked at doing our chores, my grandmother would point her finger and say, "just who do you think you are? Mrs Astor?" Such a memory as we did not know who Mrs Astor was.

Lillian M. Nowak

LOL, my Mother said the SAME thing! It’s not until I became an adult did I learn that there was a REAL Mrs. Astor!! Ha! My. Other was jealous of wealthy people…😮

Voya Ristika

I've never heard of that one. I'm going to start using it, just for the fun of it. Then when they don't know what I'm talking about I'll tell them to look it up. And be sure they specify THE Mrs Astor.

xxMary89xx

It's so sad that all those mansions are gone now. That would be nearly impossible here in Spain to be destroyed.

Mermaid Goat

Paris and Rome kept all their historical houses so whenever you visit their cities, youre greeted by these beautiful old buildings with gorgeous architecture. It was part of their charm. I wish New York kept the old Gilded Age houses, like made regularions on keeping historical houses intact. New york wouldve been different.

Sexy Mama

I can't believe these beautiful homes are gone what a shame

BOLLOCKS1968

Imagine a world with no tax? I don't think you could even come close to building something on this scale today ... not enough skilled trades people who know what labor intensive craftsmanship goes into building on this scale. Great video! Cheers.

Alexa KL64

The series "The Gilded Age" by writer/director Julian Fellowes (also the writer/director of Downton Abbey) made me interested in the old wealth of New York. It's historic fiction with Mrs. Astor as an imposing character to the newer New York wealthy wanting to fit in. I had wondered watching the series (they haven't released the third season yet and the first two were really good), if and where these grand old mansions were still there, so it's sad to find out that many were torn down and hotels or other things were created in their place. I had no idea the Empire State Building is on the site of one of the Astor mansions. So interesting and educational. Thank you!

Christy Lawrence

I have thoroughly enjoyed that show as well. so interesting to see beachwood was on it and many of the people were real that are featured on the show!

Awakening Force

Season 2 of Gilded Age is airing currently. There is only one complete season so far.

Charlyne Gezze

In 1904 John Jacob Astor IV built the St. Regis Hotel which had the world´s first A/C prototype and, fortunately, has been declared a New York City Landmark.

J1st

Unless it has changed the Astor family still owns the Newport manison. During the late 80's I took a tour of the 5 mansions that are preserved by the society. The Astor, in order to keep funds rolling in, had murder mystery theatre. Costume period actors, who lived there, walked two groups throughout the mansion giving clues. Upon conclusion we were brought into the ballroom for the answer. Terrific! The newest mansion is the Duke mansion.

Rusty Smith

Very intrigueing

Shenna Shepard

The “Astor’s Beechwood” was open for tours for many years and I even attended some period dressed balls and a concert there, but unfortunately about 10 or so years ago a private party bought it and it is no longer open to the public. I walked past it the other day and massive landscaping changes have been made in the front such that you can no longer see the house from Bellevue Avenue. So sad!!

BOLLOCKS1968

I think I did that tour as well. I remember the one I really wanted to see had a murder and was closed to the public.

Glynny Schiavoni

My Daughter and I went to Christmas Dinner at Bee h wood with Mrs. Astor. It was a delightful occasion and a lovely memory.

Megan A

I had no idea that was the origin of Waldorf Astoria hotels. Quite fascinating.

C Haesche

I u

12thDecember

Thank you for this fascinating glimpse into our architectural past. I wasn't familiar with Mrs. Astor's bio, but as soon as I saw that marble staircase, I said, "Uh-oh, bad idea!"
John Jacob Astor IV was 48 when he died on the ill-fated voyage of the Titanic. Interesting trivia: His wife, 30 years younger, was pregnant at the time. She was also on that voyage, but survived.

Andrew Brendan

Great video, Ken! When Mrs. Astor referred to women who would come after her in society I wonder if she was making a dig at Alva Vanderbilt. --- Also you and your viewers might be interested in the book "Mrs. Astor's New York -- Money and Social Power" by Eric Homberger. -- I noticed that across the street from Mrs. Astor's original house we can see the marble Stewart mansion: maybe the subject of another "This House" video? --- I found the Astor houses overwhelming. The original house in its original form probably would have worked for me!
Fun facts: the John Jacob Astor who was lost on the Titanic invented the bicycle brake and was one of the first science-fiction writers. He wrote a novel about a man who tilted the earth on its axis and was able to create perpetual springtime.

Edgar Snake

Excellent video, as usual. I've been to Beechwood and it's fabulous. I love interesting old houses and your channel brings these wonderful old buildings to life. Thanks.

Tiffany Hunt

I’m so surprised by the outside look of the house.. I can't believe these beautiful homes are gone what a shame.

The Sushma Home Selling Team

This is a proof that projects, arts and buildings with great qualities are worth to be featured. Keep honing your skills to reach that excellence that is qualified to be documented and celebrated. 👏🏼😉

tudorjason

It's difficult to choose a favorite.
Because of their respective locations, my favorites are a tossup between Beechwood and the double mansion.

Rusty Smith

The craftsmen that build these lavish homes full of gilded frames, sculpted ceilings, and abundant in trim work are a piece of history as well, and I dont know that they had a chance at all to pass the knowledge and skill on to someone else. If it werent for pictures, there would be only fairy tales.

lily thomas

It can still be built today. It isn't because back then the materials were high quality and labor was cheap. Today the material is cheap but labor is expensive

Rusty Smith

@lily thomas so, 47 years of homebuilding and pre- civil war architrcture means nothing? Try again , pilgrim

lily thomas

@Rusty Smith what do you mean. I answered that gilded age things could be built but are not because of high cost of labor.

lily thomas

@Rusty Smith Last 47 years? Is it high quality stuff. I don't think so.

K O

You can really tell this style went past the 100-year mark. Our funeral homes today look much like their mansions.

SunlightAngel87

People like to scream about excessive wealth. But it sure produced beautiful masterpiece architecture which were works of art in their own right. I took interior design with a historical renovation focus in college, and I majored in history. I've seen these gorgeous structures firsthand. But now we have blah structures with no character, painted in dull neutrals, and are cheaply built. There's a reason these marvelous mansions have withstood the test of time. They would probably still be standing today if they hadn't been demolished. But now we have places built 30-50 years ago that look to be on the verge of collapse. Punch a Victorian-era wall it will break your hand. Punch a 21st century wall, you'll break the house.

arribafication wineho

Agree and I find our American culture of tear down and rebuild to be wasteful plus the results of new building is ghastly

Veronica Roach

That's all well & good, but maintaining those fancy structures proves to be something rather difficult to do after a while. Hence so many old mansions rotting away in the country areas of Europe - their owners often abandon them because they cannot afford the repairs or the servants to keep up that lifestyle ! Luckily there are organisations that take some of them on & make businesses out of them to protect them for the future.

LonesomeDove

I highly recommend you read John jakes "the Americans " its written for this era. A great read. Lots of historical information included though its a work of fiction its highly accurate. Astor is spoken of in the book. "The Americans " is book 8 of john jakes Kent family chronicles. The entire series is fabulous and follows a family through many generations starting w one individuals immigration from france.

Darlene LaRochelle

Those are great books!
I haven't read them in years, I should try to find them.

Linda Sussman

I’m so surprised by the outside look of the house.

John Vonundzu

Ironically, many of the grand interiors had already been looted from 18th century European houses & have since moved on, often to museums - not destroyed. As to the "antique" furniture found in these belle epoque millionaire's mansions - it was often brand new at the time - authenticity was unimportant - all they wanted was the "look". Once worn out, it was tossed.

Jeannie Messerschmidtz

Thank you for all the research that this entail. Very interesting families and life styles

Jack

In about 1959 in Miami, I met John Jacob Astor whose mother Madalyn had been pregnant with him on the Titanic, and survived. My aunt was friends with the nanny of Jackie Astor, Johns daughter. I was about 6 years old and my aunt told me that I was going to meet a millionaire. He shook my hand, but I remember expecting money to be bulging from his pockets. I was very disappointed that he didn’t even give me a dollar! 😂 My 10 year old sister spent the day playing with Jackie. We never saw them again.

Carly

Money bulging from his pockets! I really did LOL. The imaginations of children are such fun. Thanks for sharing this story, it made my morning. 😊

connie pfannerstill

Rich entitled and no thought about those less fortunate. 😡

Miss G.

Having watched the Gilded Age, this channel is a great find!

Yvonne Plant

Linwood Hall, the grand residence, of the Wideners, in Elkins Park, PA, which is right outside Philadelphia., will be restored. A fabulous commitment to bring one of grandest Gilded Age homes of all back to life.

Count Alucard

I loved from the movie “The Age Of Innocence” depicting how the wealthy old money New Yorkers in the 19th century would have their nightly dinners. They took hours with 6 or 7 courses.

traderjoes

There’s still a mansion from them in Sands Point, by Port Washington in Long Island NY. As well as a road lined with modern mansions called Astor Ln.

Somni 224

Are you referring to Hempstead House? Because that was built by the Gould family (as in Jay Gould the railroad tycoon) and then later sold to and expanded by the Guggenheim family-- not the Astors.

Lee Lorenz

I live near an Astor in Lyneham, Oxfordshire, England. They basically own the whole village of Bruen. I saw a package left out the front gate in the rain the other day and knocked on her front door (hoping to meet her). No one answered. 0:42

Gregory Thoman

I worked in a building at 34th&5th, right across the street from the Empire State Building. I had no idea this was where her mansion was.

Angelina Roberts

That's really sad how it all ended for her.

DoubleDogDare54

Look at the bright side - she was born to luxury and lived an opulent lifestyle for 78 years. Her health problems were only in the last couple of years of her life and she was still enough "with it" she could give a magazine interview a few days before her death. She led a life none of us could imagine. She did alright.

Cherie O'Dell

I guess Mrs. Astor shouldn't have been going up and down the stairs at the age of 78. She should have lived in some rooms on the ground floor instead of doing that, or else used an elevator, although it's hard to know if she had an elevator, or maybe she should have lived in a smaller home. I wonder how safe those houses were. The one with the huge room that had a 4 story high ceiling may not have been super safe, especially with paintings all the way up the walls. I think that's the house where she died. The staircase was probably enormous. Especially as those mansions got older... there may have been many reasons that weren't always mentioned for the houses to be replaced with modern buildings, and many of them were probably safety issues. It is sad how her life ended, but I think it's pretty common for older people not to realize that there are a lot of safety hazards they need to be aware of. There are a lot of safety hazards most people live with today that to me are obvious but no one else seems to recognize. I think most bathrooms are very dangerous and incredibly difficult to use. Bathtubs and showers are extremely inadequate as far as using them to bathe, especially if you're shaving your legs or something, and way too small in most cases. There should be built-in chairs and shelves and possibly some thought put into keeping people from hurting themselves in the event they lose their balance and fall. It's annoying to me how so many bathrooms and kitchens have sinks that are at a height for pretty short people, which in some cases is pretty close to my knees, and I'm actually the height of the average man. Just changing lightbulbs is usually incredibly dangerous, and no thought is put into making that easy in the modern day. Most major household appliances are developed for younger people who can bend and contort their bodies every which way, and lift heavy things as well. It's even rare for apartment buildings to have elevators, and people are expected to carry loads of heavy groceries up steep stairs, not to mention, getting heavy furniture up into those apartments in the first place. There are dozens of ways homes could be made so much more comfortable, useful, and safer, but innovations in this area seem to be occurring at a snail's pace. I would imagine a LOT of older people die as the result of a fall, and then developing a hip injury or something. But homes are probably a lot safer overall than places people work, which are usually extremely primitive if you really analyze them in terms of furniture and what the workers are expected to do all day every day, and which is where most people spend most of their lives. Not to mention how dangerous cars really are. If you don't immediately die in a car wreck, your life is probably not going to be nearly as long as it would have been. Our life expectancy has improved so much with the innovation of things like plumbing, and because we have better nutrition. We've come a long way baby, that's for sure, from even 50 years ago. But. We have a LONG way to go before we really do address some of the ridiculous safety hazards we all live with that still are just not even usually recognized because we're surrounded by so many of them.

Mrs. Astor just wasn't that focused on health and safety and things that could honestly make life better, and most of us really aren't. She was more interested in things that were more entertaining. I guess it takes a little effort to really do that, and it can be hard to develop the endurance and discipline that it really does take to improve your life for the better, especially as you get older.

TennesseeTrio

My goodness, I can’t even imagine that type of wealth!

Sandra Meyer

I’d love to know where the torn-down building’s’ material were disposed…all that wood, granite and whatever else they threw away…

Daniel in the Antipodes

Thank you for the video! I would be pleased to own any of those mansions - if I had the income to support it!

Claudio Cavaliere

Absolutely amazing video! Congratulations in every possible way!

KathrynCatlover

When Alva Vanderbilt built a nearby mansion that had a ballroom for 1,000 guests, I’m certain that hurt old Mrs. Astor!! I can’t imagine centering my life on such pointless competition. Women then had little efficacy to do little else in those times.

DoubleDogDare54

Well, when you were in the very upper crust of society back then you didn't have to worry about cooking, cleaning or otherwise keeping house. But what those women were kept for was to produce a selection of well-bred children for their husbands. And back in the 1800s that occupation could cost them their lives, regardless of how wealthy and well situated they were. 😐THE Mrs. Astor produced five children. Anyone of them could have resulted in her death.

KathrynCatlover

@DoubleDogDare54 True, the producing of children us an assumed activity. What I meant was any profile in the business world.

Mxyzptlksac

The Vanderbilts were Nuevo Riche and didn’t get much thought

KathrynCatlover

@Mxyzptlksac Except when Alva Vanderbilt was set to give a ball for a notable titled aristocrat from England and everyone in the Blue Book wanted to attend. Since Mrs. Astor had never officially “called” on Alva, Alva left Mrs. Astor off the invitation list. Mrs. Astor was then forced to “think about the Vanderbilts” and call on Alva to get an invitation.

Stix Gonzalez

More interesting than the owners the real narration should cover Who were the artists and masons who built the impossible mansions architecture that is virtually impossible to build today. The interior designers are more interesting to learn about.

Homer Martinez

tartarian design

fack.fam.is.living

Fantastic video! Very detailed & what an exciting time to be alive if you were in the 400!

Veronica Roach

I would definitely be in serious trouble had I been born wealthy in that era - I have always been a fierce individualist since a small child, much to my mother's consternation, so I would not have fitted into that society at all ! These homes that remain from that era are on the one hand extremely 'glamorous' & interesting but to modern tastes very over-the-top in decor choices - so much showing off ! While I enjoy antiques as individual pieces, when they are stuffed together in so much also-grand decor they lose their attraction I think. It reminds me of looking at a party table stuffed with goodies - too much at once to appreciate any one thing ! So no I would not like to return to that era !

Bahiyyah Moore

I love that the newly constructioed mansion came fitted with the mud flood windows in the ground

Maryjoan Hill

Makes me want to cry when such beautiful hard work and all of those memories fill the place and then it’s slaughtered

Cassandra Ralph

I preferred the Beechwood mansion, restrained, and classic design.

Gert Finkelhoffer

But it is a damn shame that most of those beautiful buildings are no longer standing!

Veronica Roach

NYC sites needed to build the skyscrapers became the priority so the history got sidelined in the name of new development. IOW money was the motivation !

Kevin barrett

Reading Anderson Coopers book “ The Vanderbilts”, so this video really brings the Guilded Age to life .

marissa claridge

Nancy Astors was my great great Aunt...such an amazing Lady!!!xxx

Rosie

My aunt was a couture dress maker in Bond st London, she had said many times that she had made a dress for Nancy Astor, auntie was still making her own clothes in her lat 80s. I wish I had listened to her saying I could follow in her footsteps but I was a trainee wedding cake decorator and was very happy in my job 🤗

Nina Galvani

Note to self: no marble stairs

bette smith

Amazing places. Thank you!

lori whinery

All her New York mansions are gone? I’ve never been to New York but I’d love to see her mansions

Gregory Thoman

Everything in the city is gone.

Dina Nadine

Yes, not only her mansions but many others built by prominent people in New Youk such as the Vanderbilts. Such a shame that those beautiful structures were demolished with no regarded to their historical value. Alas 😔, all for the sake of progress.

Candice Witzkoske

New York has amazing old buildings that are just spectacular!

LonesomeDove

Its really sad when you think about it. Especially when you see what its been replaced with. What a tragic mistake theyve made.

Stamper Wendy

I'd love to move into the Beechwood Manor!

ThisSweetLife♡

Everything beautiful about the past we are not likely to see to see again.

Lee bearrat

Why do people want to live like this when rich?? If I was a billionaire I would still live conservatively.. I would hope. One still dies no matter how rich one is.

DoubleDogDare54

What is "conservative" for a billionaire would still be incredibly flamboyant for the average Joe.

Nicole G

That ballroom with the massive works of art was extraordinary. Like having your own art museum in your house. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. This woman had a rare eye for beauty. Nowadays, wealthy Americans mostly live in plain, stark houses. It's so boring.

J G

Who are you to tell people how they should or should not live?

DoubleDogDare54

@J G Tell that to the Bourbons or the Romanovs when the unwashed masses stopped by their palaces to discuss the matter with them.

J G

@DoubleDogDare54 🙄

Stix Gonzalez

The buildings look very weathered and aged the trees look around 200 years old as if they have been there for hundreds of years already

myREDpillow

There is an Astor street in Chicago that is full of multimillion dollar homes. Did the family own real estate in Chicago?

Mishka

Yes, they did.

Bob Loblaw

absolutely insane. imagine if london had torn down all of its great houses...

Gert Finkelhoffer

I'm wondering what happened to all that art that hung on the walls of her home? Beechwood is now owned by Larry Ellison the CTO of Oracle!

Judith Mitchell

Fascinating video. Thank you for sharing this. Blessings - Judith 🎭🎵

membear

I never knew Astoria was named after the Astors.

Tub Alchemy

do you have photos of the construction of these hotels?

S Willis

I love Beechwood Mansion and did visit there in the 90's. It is on so grand.

Virgo Saab

I’ve been there and lived in RI. The narrator says that the guests could go to the beach. It’s just huge rocks. Google the Ariel view.

Nicole

Love this channel ❤

gutzycowardbme

The servants had to walk a pretty long way to the dining room from the kitchen for family and or guests to keep the smells of cooking away from them.

colleen louise

in the days of no income taxes, incredible wealth was possible!

K O

The U.S. has had income tax since 1861. What are you talking about? The corporate tax rate in those days was a hefty 35-46%. By comparison, our peons in 2023 are only paying about 21% and still can't amass more wealth than a Rockefeller.

In other words, these guys made so much money they didn't notice the tax. They were many times wealthier than modern billionaires, and they did it all while paying their fair share of taxes. Cause they were bosses, not freeloading clowns building kiddie games and silly online websites. They built the world around them. If Rockefeller had no taxes, he'd have been the U.S.'s first trillionaire. lol He was worth a modern $400 billion, about twice Elon Mooches net worth, and Rockefeller was paying twice the taxes of a Mooch.

Even our billionaires are inferior.

forest

I so excited to USA mansions 18-19-20 centuries ❤

Stephanie Reicher

It's ashame our country destroyed our past. Other countries embrace their past. Maintain the symbols & items showing the historic growth of their country.
Americans are clueless and ignorant of respecting our past.

Sandy Degener

Mrs. Astors mansion...the New York equivalent of Dr. Who's phone booth.

Jackie Raulerson

Love the homes, hate the entitlement built on the backs of the working class

adam heskett

They found some nice stuff laying around America.

Atlas Adonis

And many other countries

The Aztecs and Incas had homes and temples studded with Precious Gems and Solid Gold which was torn down by conquers of America... and Yes, South America IS America. the Astor wealth never came close to that civilization, I wish there will be a History devoted to their wealth someday.

Scott Anthony Weidner

The routine and seemingly nonchalant building and tearing down of some of the most magnificent buildings ever designed and constructed serves to legitimate the elaborate troll which is the Great Tartarian Conspiracy. It’s priceless and ought to be preserved for the ages? Nah. We can make more $$$ or serve our needs with this relatively lesser building instead.

Keith Savage

Takes millions a year to maintain a mansion of this size. Could you write us a check? Thanks.

Scott Anthony Weidner

@Keith Savage Write who a check?
The city hall and central post office in my hometown of Omaha Nebraska were magnificent landmarks, nonchalantly torn down about a half a century after they were built. It’s not as though a city is a robber baron who ran out of money. And yes, I’m sure folks will say, “You sure about that?” But brutalist architecture is a blight, and folks in this country are pretty good at throwing away the priceless. Something parallel is going on the UK and elsewhere with morlocks being allowed to deface priceless artworks with impunity in the name of misanthropic “protest.”

T💎 Bryany💎

WOW . SOME NEW INFO I WAS NOT 🚫 AWARE OF ABOUT THE ASTORS THANK YOU 🐦💐

Saras Watkin

New York must have had some Beautiful grand Victorian buildings destroyed to make way for glass houses and offices in the sky. What's worse is they come to UK and doing the same thing. Thank God for " Listed Buildings " though I have my share of dispute with them with my property in the past when I had a Georgian Mansion which was Grade 2 listed star. I love Paris and how they have managed to preserved their city.

Diane Williams

My Mother used to say if I got all dressed up that i looked like"Mrs Aster's pet horse" ! 😅😅😅

Azabujuban-Hito

Its hard to feel the luxuries from the grainy, fuzzy black & white pics !

James Burton

ya it's too bad color photography didn't exist back when this house existed

Azabujuban-Hito

@James Burton Guess you never heard of digitalization process to make old pics so much LESS blurry & grainy 🤷‍♀️

James Burton

@Azabujuban-Hito the process you are talking about often destroys the integrity of the photo. Many details often get erased when de-blurring.

Also if you think these photos are fuzzy, maybe turn up your video resolution or get a better screen. They look fantastic too me.

jo benson

so good that everything is gone,gone, gone!! i couldn't breath!

Eldon Howard

If my mom thought someone was acting "uppity" she would refer to them as Mrs. Astor. 😃

Michael Thomas

I can appreciate the skill and artistry of these homes, however, the greed and excess cannot be denied. There were SO MANY people in need of basics to survive. The Astor's and their descendants could have lived VERY well with much more modest homes, and directed resources to those in need. The Astor's: greedy, selfish, self-centered, horrible people.

RAERAEAMES2023

As a request pls do the summerwind mansion Wisconsin

joyce marshall

The wife of David Cameron, Samantha is a step- Descendant of this family

Deborah Barry

All I could think of listening to the lavish life style the super wealthy, the 400, was all the starving n homeless on the street during the "golden age"...

DoubleDogDare54

Clearly THE Mrs. Astor was never a fan of Henry David Thoreau and probably did not have a copy of "Walden" in her library room. 😉

tami sasso

My senior prom was held at the Beechwood Mansion.

Gary Goldbaugh

No I know where the old term "Astor's Pet Horse" came from

Kevin M

Wow, just wow!

Melissa Nielsen

The beach house is my favorite.

Goonrata84

Are you sure you don't mean "the 'miny' mansions of Mrs. Astor."?

Crescent Moonchild

When you put up so much art it is difficult to appreciate each one…too much stuff

anteeker anteeker

Agree, however it wasn`t about the art, it was about the ability to show off the fact that you could afford it all- to "one up" everyone else. I wonder what happened to all of the paintings.

Daisy dukes

Their homes-not your’s.

Paul Rath

Beechwood is now owned by Larry Ellison, CEO of Oracle

Kodakcompactdisc

Sounds like Mrs Astor was a bit of a character 😂

M

These conniving men in the 18th Century were cunning enough to obtain real estate in New York. Actually makes me sick that they stole all of this land. Karma had to come to them and their offspring.

Candice Witzkoske

A different era gone by.

Dustin Cleveland

This old house it played one, it played knick knack on it's buns, with a knick knack paddy whack give a dog a bone. This old man came rolling home. ....all together now! 5 , 6 ,7 , 8!

jrgnc1

They had more money than they could spend.

Eunice Stone

Poor little rich people,.,..

Daisy dukes

Good for them.

Keith Savage

oh the money went away, it always does.

Cali Emm

Honestly how many crumpets & tea, needlepoint, painting classes, reading books, going for walks, carriage rides can a person do...?
In comparison to today...with cable tv, internet, various sports...shopping malls,
Tablet games, nightclubs, nice cars...etc.... If you were well to do...today We have it good

Emilie53

What purpose did this family serve society except to show off their wealth...what did she do for others?

KT Kilntime

Brooke Astor alone made charitable donations to New York of over 195 million dollars,, including donations for the arts, The New York public library, Lincoln Center, and the poor. Look up the Vincent Astor foundation, The Brooke Astor fund for New York education, Astor services for children and family, established on property donated by Vincent Astor

RaeRae

​@ktkilntime1586 good to hear.

Debbie Hill

Brooke Astor was a big donator of money!

CM MC

There will never be homes this lavish in the world today unless you are the top .001%

Frank Gordon

Architects used to design works of art that people lived in. No, like today's cars look just like every other one.

Jayne Segman

beautiful classy dignified sophisticated, what the heck has happened to our world? its now cheap and plastic.
too bad.