Sole d’Oro by Dale Chihuly – Image: Biltmore.com
Early in May, my son and I were able to accompany my husband on a business trip to North Carolina. We were able to stay with close friends that had moved from Seattle to Waxhaw several years ago. While there, she wondered what I wanted to do most…visit the Biltmore Estate & Gardens was my first request! I’d heard about it and seen gorgeous pictures, but never had the opportunity to visit. I had suggested it to a friend who was in the area, but she responded she didn’t want to go to a “mansion that slaves built” – this statement got me curious as to the background of the American historical monument. During my research, I came upon an article, More than Biltmore, written by Mark Derewicz for Endeavors – Research & Creative Activity at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. The article states that Vanderbilt and black leaders during the 18th century worked TOGETHER to establish many things including what would eventually become the YMCA:
“In fact, on the corner of Eagle and Market Streets in downtown Asheville there’s a large historic building that houses the Young Men’s Institute (YMI), which has been an educational, recreational, and cultural refuge for African Americans since 1893.
And it probably would never have existed, Waters says, had black leaders and Vanderbilt not worked together.”
Later in the article it discusses how Waters, a freed slave turned entrepreneur worked for and was paid by the Biltmore House during the construction phase:
“On his first day researching the YMI at the Biltmore Estate, Waters mentioned to the archivist that his great-great-grandfather had probably been a freed slave who moved from South Carolina to Asheville in 1850. Waters’ great-grandfather, Louis Waters, had owned an apple orchard in Edneyville. But that’s about all he knew.
For the heck of it, the archivist did a quick database search for Louis Waters. She got three hits — handwritten letters from the 1890s that Louis Waters sent to Charles McNamee, Biltmore’s manager. Turns out, Waters’ great-grandfather had a business and hauled debris off the estate during construction of the Biltmore House. In one letter, Louis asked for his pay in advance so he could buy a team of horses. In another he asked McNamee to renew his contract.”
I highly encourage you to read the article in its entirety. Once I had for myself found out the background information about Vanderbilt and the Biltmore, I felt that I could go to the estate with a clear conscience.
I was extremely stoked to be able to visit just the Biltmore, but then I realized that Chihuly had one of his glass exhibits there as well. What a treat! The mixing of Châteauesque architecture with modern day, blown-glass artwork was an overload for the senses.
Waterlilies & Reeds in the Italian Garden – Image: RomanticAsheville.com
Italian Gardens glowing at Night – Image: RomanticAsheville.com
Walled Garden near Conservatory – Image: RomanticAsheville.com
After touring part of the estate, we decided to venture out to the gardens. However, we got caught in a major downpour. We ran as fast as we could to the conservatory for cover.
Biltmore Conservatory – Image: Malia’s Miles
Below the conservatory is the garden store, I asked one of the associates what was the Vanderbilt’s favorite plant and she quickly responded that they had records of receiving over 800 different varieties of orchids – some only costing $2.99 at the time. Their love affair with orchids was one I can deeply appreciate. As the website states:
“Today, Biltmore’s orchid collection contains approximately 600 plants. The staff has spent time carefully researching and procuring some of the same varieties contained on Vanderbilt’s original list. Marc Burchette, Biltmore’s Orchid Specialist, assisted his co-worker Jim Rogers with tracking down the heritage varieties and worked with a commercial grower to procure more than half of the plants contained on the archival list.”
What an absolute dream job to research, procure and archive orchids!
Biltmore Conservatory Orchid Collection – Image: mikkelpaige.com
Oh La La – Orchids are SO glamorous! – Image: Garden & Gun Magazine
It is impossible to pick a favorite when it comes to orchids or any flower for that matter. The one that was fascinating to me was this almost blue orchid; as blue is an uncommon color to come by in the gardening world that is natural and not dyed. I searched the internet trying to find this gorgeous plant’s name, but had no luck. So I have reached out to the Biltmore Orchid Curator to get more information and crossing my fingers that he replies to my email.
Image: Maaw.info
Touring the Biltmore Estate & Gardens will be an experience I will never forget and hope to one day see it when it is decorated for the Christmas season!
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P.S. I ♥ Peas 