E37: Biltmore: America’s Biggest Mansion

Denise Kiernan shares the extraordinary history of Biltmore House, America's largest private home, and the powerful legacy of the Vanderbilt family during the Gilded Age.Guest Bio: Denise Kiernan is a New York Times bestselling author, journalist, and producer whose books include The Last Castle, The Girls of Atomic City, and We Gather Together. She hosts “Craft: Authors in Conversation” and lives in Asheville, North Carolina, near the Biltmore Estate.Topics Discussed:The construction and scale of the Biltmore EstateGeorge and Edith Vanderbilt’s legacyGilded Age opulence and class disparityEarly conservation efforts and the birth of Pisgah National ForestThe role of women like Edith Vanderbilt and Sarah Josepha Hale in shaping American historyThe economic decline of old money families and estate preservation2 Best Quotes:"The Biltmore House is the largest house in America—ever. Nothing has surpassed it.""History makes you ask questions of the present—what do we want to preserve for future generations?"📺Watch on YouTube ➡️ https://youtu.be/jSSSXJ9SE24 🎙 The Pod is hosted by Jesse Wright💬 For guest suggestions, questions, or media inquiries, reach out at https://elpodcast.media/📬 Never miss an episode – subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts.⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show. It helps others find us. Thanks for listening!