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Historic preservation
Preserving our past, ensuring our future
Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC is a National Historic Landmark featuring America’s Largest Home® designed by Richard Morris Hunt with surrounding landscapes created by Frederick Law Olmsted, all in close collaboration with George Vanderbilt.
As passionate about craft and care as those who came before them, Vanderbilt’s descendants and the preservationists and conservationists they employ work together to ensure Biltmore is maintained for future generations to explore and enjoy.
Preservation and conservation efforts include maintaining the 250-room home and its magnificent collections, plus 8,000 acres of carefully managed gardens, forests, farmlands, wildlife habitats, and original estate structures.
From estate admission tickets and Annual Passes to Biltmore wines, overnight accommodations, dining, shopping, and more, your purchases support the preservation and conservation of Biltmore Estate. Thank you for being part of an ongoing story.
The Lodge Gate is undergoing repairs from the impacts of 2024’s Tropical Storm Helene, including replacement of roof tiles, damaged brick, and wood roof decking.
The Hemlock hedge bordering the Italian Garden was removed and replanted with American Holly cuttings taken from an original hedge in the Walled Garden, preserving Olmsted's design intent.
Preservation work in both the Smoking Room and Gun Room (shown here) was recently completed, returning them to their appearance during the Vanderbilt era.
George Vanderbilt purchased The Waltz by Swedish artist Anders Zorn (1860–1920) at the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893. Displayed in the Second Floor Living Hall, this painting was conserved in 2024.
Beautiful and ornate, the Banquet Hall's chandeliers were recently inspected as part of an assessment of major architectural elements in Biltmore House.
The Winery clock tower features an original clock that was once an integral feature of Biltmore’s dairy operation. The clock is currently undergoing restoration.
Rosita, by Spanish painter Ignacio Zuloaga (1870–1945), was recently conserved to restore its original appearance. The painting is displayed in the hallway adjacent to the Louis XV Suite.
One of two massive lanterns in front of Deerpark Restaurant. The pair once graced the New York City home of George Vanderbilt’s father and have recently been restored to their original appearance.
In a two-year multi-step process, Asheville artist Alex Irvine re-created Woman Reading with Dog, an outdoor sculpture on the Library Terrace. Due to age and exposure, the original terracotta piece had deteriorated and was moved into storage.
One of the two small islands that Frederick Law Olmsted designed for the Bass Pond disappeared over time. Our landscaping crews used Olmsted’s original notes to restore the feature in 2022.
Renovation and restoration of the Market Gardener’s Cottage is currently underway. This historic two-bedroom home is one of the Cottages on Biltmore Estate™, our premium overnight stay properties.
Preservation spotlight: Smoking & Gun Room
One of several Biltmore Preservation Stories available for viewing, Restoring the Past: The Smoking & Gun Rooms shares the history of these rooms, and what went into their restoration.
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Preservation Spotlight: Welcoming Back “The Waltz”
The Waltz, one of our guests’ favorite paintings, made its grand return to...
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Preservation Matters: Birds of a Feather
“Birds of a feather flock together” is a 16th-century English proverb suggesting that...
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The Grandest Guest Rooms: Restoring the Louis XV Suite
Our Museum Services team works year-round to preserve the...
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Worth Preserving: The Oak Sitting Room at Biltmore
In honor of our ongoing mission of preserving Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC,...
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