As you enter the gates, the modern era is left behind and you step back in time to an era of great wealth and privilege. The Vanderbilt Estate, known as Hyde Park, represents this era of opulence, conspicuous consumption and aesthetic privilege.

Between 1763 and 1835, three generations of owners made improvements on the grounds transforming them into one of the most important Romantic Landscapes in America. The most significant contribution was the landscape design work of Andre Parmentier, whose style enticed visitors from Europe to see the justly famous Hyde Park. It is exceedingly rare to have a major residential landscape of this period preserved and this, one of four known Parmentier designs, is the most impressive.

Grandson of Cornelius "Commodore" Vanderbilt, Frederick William Vanderbilt began his transformation of Hyde Park in 1895. He created all the structures that now occupy the grounds and finally rebuilt the house. Designed by the world famous firm of McKim, Mead & White, the classical Indiana limestone home contains 50 rooms with, at the time, the latest residential technology available. Central heating, plumbing and electrical power were all fitted through out the home. Beneath the stone facade, the building is actually a modern steel and concrete structure, virtually fireproof.

When it came to the interiors, nothing was spared as they were more than double the cost of the house itself. The rooms are lavished with plasterwork, cornices, fabrics and furniture. In the principal downstairs rooms Stanford White's design hand is clear and distinct in its flamboyance and attention to proportion and detail. In 1897 White traveled to London, Paris, Florence, Rome and Venice in search of articles for the mansion at Hyde Park.

Guided tours of the mansion are available daily except major holidays. The grounds and gardens are open daily till dusk.