National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

Resource History and Description of Existing Conditions
Louise's niece, Daisy Van Alen Bruguiere, the mantels were painted because Frederick did not
like the way they looked. 558 The mantels are surmounted by a shield and a pair of medallions set
on green marble panels. Each fireplace has a cast iron fire back and andirons. The large pair of
columns that flank the entrance are part of a set of four with the other pair residing in the Living
Room. These came from Heilbronner and are described as "Cippolini" or "Rouge Marble
Columns." 559
The ceiling is made of old Italian painted panels and reproduction elements made by
Herter Brothers. 560 The framework is decoratively gilded and contains recessed painted
squares, each centering a gilded pendant. It was enlarged and restored by Herter Brothers. 561
Edward Simmons, a prominent member of Stanford White's circle of artist friends painted the
central panel. The original plan called for three painted panels by Simmons, but in the end the
Vanderbilts liked only the central one. 562 Norcross Brothers were responsible for installing the
ceiling. 563
Herman and Tessie Oelrichs. This mantel is composed of a plaster top and stone bottom that
Stanford White assembled.
558
Van Alen visit June 3, 1940, Memo to Director from Francis S. Ronalds, General File, "Van Alen,"
Resource Management Records, ROVA Archives (Van Alen, 1940 hereafter). "She told her husband
that the two fireplaces were supposed to be very fine. He didn't enthuse." (Bruguiere, 1948.)
Mr. Samuels of French & Co. thought the fireplaces came from the Spitzer Collection but later
wrote to say they did not. (Samuels, French & Co., 1940, 1; see letter to Mrs. Gertrude S.
Cooper, June 5, 1941.)
559
See bills SW Papers, Box 49:3, Box 19:2.
560
"Dear Mr. Vanderbilt,/ The ceiling arrived to-day. I paid the duties on it this morning, which
amounted to only $980.00. I should be obliged therefore, if you could send your check for $
7,180.00 the cost of the ceiling $6,200.00 and the freight and duties." (Stanford White to
Frederick Vanderbilt, May 24, 1898. SW Papers, Box 19:2.)
561
Van Alen, 1940. Clermont, 1954. "She noted that the ceiling had been done by White and was
supposed to have been brought from Italy." (Bruguiere, 1948.)
562
"All right about your ceiling. Write to McKim asking him for final certificate. I am sure it is
all right, and if when we go up we find there is anything that needs toning down or alterations,
or change, why we can, of course, always rely on your doing it." (Stanford White
Correspondence with Edward Simmons, Avery Library SW to ES April 26, 1899, PB #22.) ". . . I
think it would be a good thing to try one circular panel up and let Vanderbilt decide whether he
cares to have them. If not I will try to use them elsewhere. Hunter says that he got an emergency
order from you to have the scaffolds up for the panels and as you wrote in the plural he ordered
the other staging. I would send one of the circular panels up to Hyde Park, and I will have
Hunter have one of the temporary panels tacked up for Vanderbilt to look at." (SW to ES, April
27, 1899, PB #22.) "I wish you would roll up your panel and express it up to Vanderbilt's
addressed to me. I do not know whether anything will come of it, but I think it will just as well
to have it up there." (SW to ES, May 8, 1899, PB #22.) "As there evidently is some
misunderstanding in reference to the painted panels for ceiling for Vanderbilt, pray consider the
two circular panels which you have made as eliminated from the matter entirely; that you have
painted these for me and on my order. I will use them elsewhere and will see that the spendulix
is forthcoming for them." (SW to ES, December 23, 1899, PB #22.) See also letters from
Simmons to McKim and White, April 24, 1899, April 27, 1899, SW Papers, Box 38: 15, and
another from 1900, Box 36:11.
563
Letter from Edward Simmons to Stanford White, April 27, 1899, SW Papers, Box 38: 15.
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