The 18.6 million dollar investment is expected to create 120 new local jobs.

Antler Hill Village – Historically Speaking

After years of planning and months of construction, Antler Hill Village will encompass the estate’s present and past, providing a relaxing place for new historical exhibits and venues to experience Biltmore’s hospitality.

Located between the Winery and Antler Hill Farm (formerly known as River Bend Farm), Antler Hill Village will be open to guests as part of daily admission to the estate. Its name comes from Antler Hill, the “fine high ridge,” as noted by Vanderbilt. From the Civil War into the 1930s, the ridge was the site of Antler Hall, a residence and social center for many estate families.

“This project continues the family mission started by my great-grandfather, George Vanderbilt, and my father, William Cecil,” said Bill Cecil, Jr., Biltmore chief executive officer. “We want our visitors to enjoy the estate the way we do – embracing the history, sustainability and love of the land. We have brought Antler Hall’s historic purpose back to life, making it a place where families and friends can gather, just as it was a century ago.”

Antler Hill Village stands in homage to an area of Biltmore where many Biltmore farm, dairy and forestry employees and families lived and socialized in the early 1900s. Oral history records reveal fond memories of gatherings for estate employees, including an employee Christmas party, dances, fall fairs and classes in the evenings. With the opening of Antler Hill Village, the old tradition of gracious hospitality is new again.

“When you visit, you’ll discover more about Biltmore’s past and our family’s commitment to preserving both the land and the spirit of the people who founded the estate,” said Dini Cecil Pickering, Vanderbilt’s great-granddaughter and vice chair of the Board of Directors and Advisors.

Today’s Antler Hill Village

Antler Hill Village expands current guest offerings at Biltmore, including a new exhibition space, village green with live entertainment, a new outdoor adventure center and dining and shopping.

New exhibits and activities:

• The Biltmore Legacy – Discover the many sides of Edith Vanderbilt, George Vanderbilt’s wife, or learn how the Cecils preserve Biltmore’s legend of gracious hospitality. This facility includes exhibits filled with slices of estate life such as archival letters, photos and drawings illustrating how the Vanderbilts lived. A small theater features a film narrated by Dini Cecil Pickering that shares the family story from the Vanderbilts to today. The Biltmore Legacy also showcases products inspired by the estate under the Biltmore For Your Home brand.
• Edith Vanderbilt’s Car – On display for the first time ever will be Mrs. Vanderbilt’s 1913 Stevens-Duryea Model C-Six. Displayed in the Winery, this rare piece is the only car George Vanderbilt purchased that remains in the estate’s collection.
• Winery: A Whole New Light – Guests will now enter the Winery from Antler Hill Village where they will walk underground through the old dairy’s original tunnel, designed to immediately engage all of the senses into the winemaking process. As part of the self-guided visit, guests will taste a sparkling wine and then enjoy other wines in the Tasting Room. A new specialty tasting room and a premium wine tasting paired with food in the Clock Tower offer additional tasting experiences.
• Village Green and Bandstand – The centerpiece of Antler Hill Village, the Village Green has a gently sloping area perfect for people-watching, listening to live music each afternoon, or relaxing with a snack or picnic.
• Outdoor Adventure Center – When the Vanderbilt’s entertained their guests in Biltmore House, their guests also experienced all sorts of outdoor and sporting activities such as walking, croquet, hunting, fishing, horseback and carriage riding, biking and hiking, camping expeditions and treks up to Buck Spring Lodge on Mt. Pisgah. The new Outdoor Adventure Center carries on the family’s tradition of exploring the outdoors, with Segway rentals, Land Rover excursions, bike trips, horseback rides and carriage rides.
• Antler Hill Farm – With the reorganization of the Antler Hill Village area, the entire farm is more convenient to explore. The farm offers a glimpse back at Biltmore’s agricultural past. Traditional farming demonstrations take place in the Barn, including authentic blacksmithing by local craftsman Doc Cudd. The Farmyard continues to house animals that children love, and the Kitchen Garden is now a demonstration area showcasing fragrant herbs and vegetables used in Biltmore’s restaurants.

Shopping and dining:

• Traditions – With her renowned hospitality and sense of style, Edith Vanderbilt was a natural hostess who delighted her visitors with special touches throughout Biltmore House. Within Traditions, our newest retail venue, the inspiration for its graceful mix of products came from envisioning how Mrs. Vanderbilt would entertain her guests today. Traditions includes decorative home accents and local artisans’ work, including pottery and jewelry.
• Cedric’s Tavern – Named after George Vanderbilt’s beloved St. Bernard, Cedric, this warm, relaxing pub reflects the less formal side of Biltmore dining and entertaining. Specialties include shepherd’s pie and fish and chips.
• Creamery – A tribute to the original Biltmore Dairy Bar, guests can indulge in Winky Bar sundaes, signature shakes and root beer floats, as well as gourmet coffee and pastries.
• The Smokehouse – A new addition in the Barn is The Smokehouse, offering smoked pulled pork, beef and chicken; true Southern veggies; bread pudding and other desserts.
• The Mercantile – Remaining in its original spot, the Mercantile offers Appalachian crafts, dry goods and old-fashioned candy.

New at Biltmore House

The same day Antler Hill Village celebrates its grand opening, Biltmore House will introduce new guest experiences revealing more about the lives of people who lived, worked and visited Biltmore House during George Vanderbilt’s day. This represents a shift in focus for Biltmore – from largely object-based interpretation to a dynamic, story-based experience centered on Biltmore as a family home.

Now, the self-guided house tour infuses more stories about the Vanderbilts, plus, the following:

• The First and Second Floors, plus the Basement, will include displays of vintage clothing, storytelling elements and period props to show what it was like to live in or visit America’s largest home. The Museum Services team recently acquired these items from around the country, including the Brooklyn Museum in New York.
• Guests on the self-guided tour will be able to step into the Bowling Alley, as well as see Mr. Vanderbilt’s concealed walk-in closet fully furnished. • A new guided specialty tour – the Family & Friends Tour– will focus on Biltmore’s legendary hospitality and stories of family and friends who came to stay here. This tour includes the Louis XVI Room, the Tower Suite, the Artists’ Suite and the Fourth Floor.
o The theme of this tour is gracious hospitality. It will provide a closer look at the lifestyles of Vanderbilt’s guests, as well as exploring the lives of the servants and the behind-the-scenes work that made it all possible.
o Most of the rooms on this tour will feature authentic antique clothing on mannequins and will be identified with a particular character. Some of the featured costumes include a brown walking suit that characterizes author Edith Wharton; a cream-and-gold gown for Gertrude Vanderbilt, George Vanderbilt’s niece, to support the story of her Christmas visit to Biltmore in 1895; and a riding jacket and boots for Vanderbilt’s friend Willie Field.

For more information, visit www.biltmore.com.

(Image provided by the Biltmore Estate.)

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