Gilded Age Living in Centerport, NY - Eagles Nest

William K. Vanderbilt was the great-grandson of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, who made his fortune in railroads and shipping. Willie, as he was known, was president of the New York Central Railroad and enjoyed automobiles, yachting and natural history. In 1899, at the age of 21, he married his first wife Virginia Graham Fair.

Willie chose the location overlooking Northport Harbor to built a 24-room Spanish Revival summer home, Eagles Nest, after his split with Virgina. The house was designed by Warren and Wetmore. The mansion, built in stages from 1910 to 1936, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Mr. Vanderbilt and his second wife, Rosamond, filled the mansion with priceless art and antiques. He even hired scientists and artists from the American Museum of Natural History to create habitat dioramas in his museum. His extensive collection includes a 32-foot whale shark, which is the world’s largest taxidermied fish.

Here is what caught my eye, I hope you enjoy!

The entrance arch to the mansion complex that will take you back to Long Island Gold Coast living from the 1920’s through the 1940’s.

Beautifully decorated staircase in one of the many gardens

The large sundial on the side of the mansion

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Eagle's Nest: The William K. Vanderbilt II Estate (Images of America)

By Gress, Stephanie

Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty

By Anderson Cooper, Katherine Howe

Centerport (Images of America)

By Clemens, David C., Johnson, Suzanne

The entrance gates to Eagles Nest which were salvaged from his parent’s estate Idle Hour in Oakdale, New York.

Greeting you just after the entrance gate are a pair of giant eagles that were salvaged from the original Grand Central Station in New York City.

These Corinthian columns and the hedges shaped in a “V” greet you after you passing the eagles. The limestone columns are said to also be salvaged from the original Grand Central Station in New York City.

The Northport Harbor view looking out over the pool

The old salt water pool, with cabanas, has been filled in.

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The boathouse

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The original four-bay garage is being converted to a Learning Center.

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The Marine Museum or Hall of Fishes shows you Mr. Vanderbilt’s passion for the ocean and its creatures. On exhibit here are thousands of exotic fish. Scientists would travel with him to collect, study and preserve the specimens. In 1922, he opened his marine museum to the public.

Here are some exterior home and garden images

The entry arch to mansion complex

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The stairway, in the entry court, that leads to a guest suite at the top of the entrance arch.

Statuary decorate some of the gardens

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One of the few pools in the gardens surrounding the mansion

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Beautiful details

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The mansion entrance

The main entrance with family portraits

Entry hall and stairs

Interesting andirons in the dining room fireplace

The dining room

The kitchen

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Bathroom in the service area

Bedroom in the service area

Sitting room furniture is said to be from Vanderbilt’s yacht, The Alva.

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Breakfast or morning room

The guest room that is said to be where the Prince of Wales stayed

The main living room

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Dressing table in a guest room

The second floor balcony overlooking the main entrance to the home.

Mr. Vanderbilt’s bedroom

The unique fireplace tools in Mr. Vanderbilt’s bedroom

Mr. Vanderbilt’s bathroom

The breakfast nook with a view of beautiful Northport Harbor.

Mrs. Vanderbilt’s bedroom

Mrs. Vanderbilt’s bathroom

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Mr. Vanderbilt’s office

Moroccan room

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Madonna and Child at the entrance to the lower level museum displays

The museum’s natural history galleries feature hundreds of artifacts from the world’s different cultures.

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A 3,000 year-old mummy is part of Mr. Vanderbilt’s collection

The basement contains his 1928 Lincoln touring car and memorabilia from the legendary Vanderbilt Cup Races. He was the driving force behind the first purpose built auto race in America and at age 26, he set the world speed record of 92 mph at the first Vanderbilt Cup.

Here are some of the stuffed animal heads hung in the Memorial Wing of the house.

On his trips around the world, Mr. Vanderbilyt collected thousands of fish, birds and invertebrates for his expanding museum.

Willie’s aunt Lila Vanderbilt Webb built Shelburne Farms in Vermont, her uncles ’s Frederick built Hyde Park in upstate New York, and George built Biltmore in Asheville, NC. Great Uncles William (Marble House) and Cornelius (The Breakers), both in Newport, RI.

What you should know:

• There is an admission fee to the grounds which includes parking. An additional fee is charge for the mansion tour. (If you want to attend a planetarium tour that will be a separate fee.)

• There are walking trails.

• You could spend a couple of hours to an entire day here, depending on your level of interest.

• Picnicking is allowed.

• Public restrooms are available.

• Check website for special event, and days and hours of operation.

Location: 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport, NY 11721

For more information: Vanderbilt Museum