National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

Resource History and Description of Existing Conditions
The Dining Room was used for all meals except most breakfasts. Mr. and Mrs.
Vanderbilt preferred to have breakfast served in their rooms. 575 When breakfast was served to
guests in the Dining Room; it was served at the small table with a swivel tray in the middle for
food. Red china matching the room was used. Fresh food was brought up for late diners. 576 The
Vanderbilts used the small table for most meals unless a large entertainment required the
banquet table. 577 The small table was always set for four even if only Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt
were in residence. Mr. Vanderbilt sat on the south side of the room and Mrs. Vanderbilt
directly opposite him. Flowers were an integral feature of the decoration at Hyde Park and were
always changed for lunch and dinner. 578 Other table accessories included silver cups and
candelabra, decanters, and trophies on the serving tables. 579
A tray with a mirror would be
placed on the large table with a bowl of flowers for fancy dinners. 580
The flowers were
coordinated with the china. 581 The fireplaces were never lighted. 582
The Dining Room survives virtually unaltered since the Vanderbilts lived at Hyde Park.
The walls were oiled in 1952. 583 In 1955 the ceiling was stabilized 584 and in 1966 molds were
made for missing ornaments from the Dining Room ceiling. 585 In 1958 the dining chairs were
"rehabilitated" whereby old appliqués were applied to a new satin covering. 586 Some of the
chairs were reupholstered in 1961. 587 All of the dining chairs were recovered in the late 1970s.
New drapes and portieres were made and installed in 1968 using original trim and fragments of
the original damask patterns. 588 Another set was made in the late 1970s and installed in the early
1980s.
Lobby and Lavatory (Office)
The Lobby or Office is a small room that is entered through the Elliptical Hall. There
were originally doors to the Vestibule and a small bathroom. The room is paneled in richly
figured Santo Domingo mahogany. The style of the space cannot be specifically labeled; rather
575 Historian's Research Notes Files, Series V.C. Vanderbilt Mansion. 1042, cites interview with Mr.
Martin.
576 Historian's Research Notes Files, Series V.C. Vanderbilt Mansion. 1042, cites interview with Mr.
Martin.
577 " She pointed out that the family always ate at the small table and said that she could not recall
more than 2 or 3 times that she ever ate at the large table." (Bruguiere, 1948.)
578 Historian's Research Notes Files, Series V.C. Vanderbilt Mansion. 1043, cites interview with Mr.
Martin.
579 Historian's Research Notes Files, Series V.C. Vanderbilt Mansion. Cards 1023 and 1046 cite
interview with Mr. Martin.
580 Historian's Research Notes Files, Series V.C. Vanderbilt Mansion. Card 1045 cites interview
with Mr. Martin.
581 Knauss, List of Flower Arrangements.
582 Series V.C. Vanderbilt Mansion. Card 1043, cites interview with Mr. Martin.
583 Albert McClure, Monthly Report, March 1952.
584 Albert McClure, Monthly Report, March 1955
585 Albert McClure, Monthly Report, November 1966.
586 Fragments of rehabilitation in collection.
587 Albert McClure, Monthly Report, September, 1961. Dining Room Chair #679 reupholstered in
crimson silk, velvet appliqué applied to new fabric, also working on matching chair #688.
588 Albert McClure, Monthly Report, April 1968.
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