National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

Resource History and Description of Existing Conditions
There are ten drawings by McKim, Mead & White for the Dining Room; 553 the designs
spanned from July of 1897 to August of 1898 and were executed by Hall and Hunter. McKim
initially envisioned the space as follows:
To have oak, herring-bone floor, the woodwork being of mahogany, and consisting of a
wainscot not higher than 4ft., the rest of the trim being also of mahogany, or leather; ceiling
of stucco. The columns indicated at the entrance of this room are also desirable. Two
mantelpieces are needed, and one, two or three rugs; a table and 24 chairs, or a type to be
hereafter copied. The table must be extension. One or more sideboards, and at least two
side tables. 554
The Dining Room evolved to have walnut paneling, and an antique coffered ceiling that
was restored and expanded to accommodate the space. 555 Herter Brothers were the contractors
who completed the work by May of 1899. 556 One of the last things requested of Herter Brothers
was to tone down the gilding on the walls. This becomes a persistent theme with Frederick and
Louise, perhaps indicating an attempt toward less ostentation, and the desire for a more aged
appearance, rather than the shine of new construction.
Stanford White provided the antique elements of the Dining Room, including the two
mantels, the ceiling, and the pair of marble columns. One of the mantels seems to have been
purchased from Heilbronner in Paris, and the other from Bardini in Florence. 557 According to
553
#176 (2/3/98), Dining Room Floor Plan and Elevations
#177 (2/14/98), Details
#182 (2/11/98), Dining Room Ceiling
#210 (3/21/98), Dining Room Ceiling
#230 (4/12/98), Old Stone Mantel
#240 (4/19/98), Detail of Doors, Wings, Columns, Door, and Window Mouldings
#243 4/21/98), Detail of Casement Windows
#270 (6/3/98), 3/4 Scale of Dining Room Doors
#270 (8/24/98), 3/4 Scale of Dining Room Doors
#287 (7/18/97) Door from Dining Room to Butler's Pantry
554
CFM to SW, "Memorandum Concerning Purchases for F.W. V.," Sept. 17, 1897, SW Papers,
Box 19:2.
555
An early drawing of the ceiling, #176*(2/3/98), Dining Room Floor Plan and Elevations shows the
ceiling divided into squares with a lattice pattern going in different directions in each square. A little over
a week later, the ceiling plan was changed to use an old ceiling purchased in Europe by Stanford White.
See #182* (2/11/98), Dining Room Ceiling and #210* (3/21/98), Dining Room Ceiling which shows greater
detail than #182.
556
Herter Brothers Papers, Winterthur, Herter Brothers Store Ledger Nov. 1897 - Oct. 1903, vol.
8, 29, Entry No. 10869 August 1898. Herter Brothers Store Ledger Nov. 1897 - Oct. 1903, vol. 8,
40, Entry No. 10928 November 1898. Herter Brothers Store Ledger, Nov. 1897 - Oct. 1903, vol.
8, 46, Entry No. 10929 December 1898. Herter Brothers Store Ledger, Nov. 1897 - Oct. 1903,
vol. 8, 47, Entry 10935 December 1898. Herter Brothers Book of Accounts, 1896-1903, vol.14,
127, Entry 2113 December 1898. Herter Brothers Sales Ledger 1898-1904, vol. 18, 67, Entry
April 10, 1899. Herter Brothers Sales Ledger, 1898-1904, vol. 18, 67, Entry May 12,1899,
Norcross Brothers for F.W. Vanderbilt, Hyde Park. Herter Brothers Sales Ledger, 1898-1904,
vol. 18, 75, Entry May 18, 1899.
557
See bills SW Papers, Box 49:3, Box 19:2. The mantel on the western side is almost identical to
the mantel in the Reception Room of Rosecliff in Newport, designed by Stanford White for
110