The Vanderbilts
The Family that Built a Transportation Empire
The Vanderbilts were one of the oldest and best-known families in America. Jan Aertsen van der Bilt emigrated from Holland around 1650. Although his descendants prospered as farmers on Staten Island, New York, they lived modestly; it was only during the lifetime of Cornelius Vanderbilt (1794-1877), known as the “Commodore,” that the family name became synonymous with extraordinary wealth.
Related Posts
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May 27
2021
Kleiner’s Korner: And now for something completely different #4- Willie K.
The next segment of this series provides items about Willie K. that give a glimpse into his day-to-day life. This is certainly a very brief review of Willie's activities and does not portend to be an exhaustive look into his life.
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Mar 27
2021
Helck Family Collection: Original Transcript- “William K. Vanderbilt, Jr.”
Among the treasures of the Helck Family Collection is an original typewritten profile of William K. Vanderbilt, Jr. dated November 26, 1969.
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Feb 15
2021
Mystery Foto #7 Solved: A 1932 View of Willie’s K’s Eagle Nest and Northport Harbor
Greg O. challenged you to solve this weekend's Mystery Foto.
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Dec 23
2020
Kleiner’s Korner: Part 1 - The Race that Brought Willie K. “Racing” to America”
Found in the Peter Helck Family Collection are over 30 photographs of the 1903 Paris to Madrid race of which Willie K., Foxhall Keene and Fernand Gabriel participated.
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Oct 28
2020
The Roslyn Country Home of a 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race Spectator- Clarence Mackay
As a friend of William k. Vanderbilt, Jr. and a member of high society, Clarence Mackay had a premium seat to watch the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race. With the assistance of master mapper Frank Femenias, the Roslyn (now East Hills) location of Mackay's long demolished Harbor Hill estate is explored…
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Oct 18
2020
Update: Beutenmuller Family Collection #1: Searching for the Port Washington Seaplane Terminals
After receiving hundreds of photos of Long Island seaplanes and airplanes from Jennifer Robinson from her grandfather's collection, I have become obsessed with the history of seaplanes in Port Washington located less than six miles from my home. My first post in the series: Searching for the Port Washington Seaplane…
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Oct 07
2020
Kleiner’s Korner: Long Island Aviation and the Vanderbilt Cup Races
As aviation matured on Long Island in the early 1900s, so did its interaction with those who supported automobile racing.
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Sep 21
2020
Mystery Friday Foto #38 Solved: A Fairchild Aerial of Willie K’s Private Eagle’s Nest Golf Course
The Helck Family Collection challenged you to identify this weekend's Mystery Foto.
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Aug 08
2020
An Inside Look at William K. Vanderbilt Jr.‘s Alva Base on Fisher Island in Florida
Earlier this year I had the opportunity to visit the exclusive Fisher Island in Florida and was able to tour Willie K's winter home Alva Base. Here is an inside look of his mansion and photos hanging on the walls.
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Jul 31
2020
Film of the Week “A Real Fast Ride”- A Musical Tribute to William K. Vanderbilt Jr.
A repost from 2010... a special musical tribute to William K. Vanderbilt Jr. The song "A Real Fast Ride" was written and sung by Christopher V.L. Giffuni, a CPA whose hobby is songwriting and playing the guitar. I have added photos from my collection to match his lyrics:
Really think the couple up on Jericho Tpke are the same couple that officially toured the LIMP 1958 - 1967. Could also…