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As we continue our focus on the details that make Biltmore so amazing, we invite you to visit this winter to admire the combination of architecture, art, and sculpture that makes Biltmore House uniquely beautiful. Today, we hear from a long-time employee who has a different take on his favorite thing: the beauty of mechanical ingenuity. Check back next week for another insider’s favorite!
Rick Conard, Vice President of Attraction Operations Support, joined Biltmore more than 20 years ago as an electrician. Since then, he’s been involved in just about every project around the estate, and knows Biltmore House inside and out.
Soon after he started at Biltmore, one of his first tasks involved spending more than three weeks working around the service elevator in Biltmore House. Less prominent (and significantly less decorative) than the passenger elevator in the main entry, the service elevator is located by the stairs in the Bachelors’ Wing.
This elevator was designed to carry workers as well as equipment and luggage, and traveled 80 feet from the Sub-Basement to the Fourth Floor. While it could lift 2,000 pounds, it was not the speediest mode of transport, taking nearly a minute to go six floors. Of course, the alternative of manually hauling a ton of luggage up several flights of winding stairs wouldn’t be all that fast either!
Rick was very involved in bringing the service elevator back to good working order, and he was working on the elevator when he got a call from his wife that she was headed to the hospital to have their first child—which explains why this ranks as his personal favorite.
If you’re interested in seeing the service elevator plus some of the other innovative mechanical systems in Biltmore House, take the guided Behind-the-Scenes Butler’s Tour that spends time in areas of the house not included in the regular visit.
These days you may see Rick around the estate with Cedric, a St. Bernard named in honor of George Vanderbilt’s favorite dog. They are often in Antler Hill Village, so keep an eye out for them during your next visit.
Ohhhhh, how I wish I could be so lucky to work at the Biltmore House. I dream about this house and I cry at the commercials. Sounds crazy to you, I’m sure, but I just long to be at this house and to admire all that it has to offer. I could stand and look at the intricacies for hours….but my children won’t let me!! We were in the mountains two weeks ago for my birthday but they didn’t want to go. I hope to go again soon, even if I have to go by myself! Thank you for working to keep it alive for us to enjoy! I am so envious of your job!
Sophia, I know just how you feel. I am never bored at Biltmore. Have been a passholder for about 12 yrs now. Being in Atlanta, I can’t go as often and I wish, and like you, I have wished I could work there. I often go myself; I never feel lonely, and there are always great workers and guests to talk to. It is my annual birthday gift; and I go in honor of my father’s birthday 12/23. Just work out a way to go! Spring is coming, and you know what that means!
I also live in Atlanta and can’t go as often as I would like. But I must say, the 2.5 to 3 hour drive isn’t the worst road trip in the world. I went for the first time a couple of years ago as a birthday treat to myself and bought a yearly pass before leaving that weekend. It is so gorgeous and serene out there. I truly consider it a treat to go. I also went by myself, as it’s hard to find others who appreciate this sort of thing like I do. Definitely have to make time for things like this. My next hope is that I get to go during Christmastime. The holiday pictures do this place so much justice, so I can only imagine that it’s even more gorgeous in person.
We have been visiting Biltmore for 23 years and have been passholders many of those years. We have even put together 4 charter bus tours for groups in our home town. We are often asked, “why do you visit so often, and if you have seen the place once what is the point of going back?” I have lost count of the number of visits, but we always see something new and exciting. Took a decrotive arts tour about 20 years ago with a group of about 12 and a wonderful guide. She pointed out so many things that people just pass by, all the small bronze items, lamps, glassware, rugs and the tapersty on the landing of the grand staircase. Biltmore is never boring and each season brings something new outside too. We have seen Biltmore’s marketing explode and the number of guest has increased so. I could go on and on. We just wish we lived closer and would be there every week starting with Brunch at The Dearpark. Someday we hope to spend a few days at the Inn. Keep doing what you are doing Biltmore staff, wonderful job! Bob & Sharon, Tazewell, VA
We have visited several times and love each and every visit. I am looking forward to visiting again next week and taking 2 of the tours. Love the house, the Inn and Antler Hill Village and the wines. The house is a truly amazing place. Always something new to see.
I was fortunate to visit the Biltmore once, a few years ago and long to go back. I was wondering…is there an increased interest in this marvelous home, since Downton Abby has made it’s debut, 3 years ago? I would think so but was wondering if you had seen a correlation.
Thanks. Look forward to my next visit.
Biltmore House:
What can I say but Amazing I live in Indianapolis, In and don’t get a chance to get the amazing opportunity to visit as often as I would like but I have visited it three times with my parants I believe my 1st time I think I might have been in the 3rd or 4th grade and at such a young age I enjoyed the place so much that I kept asking my parants please lets visit again well like I said I have been there three times and it has been probably about 20 years sence I was last there hoping to visit in the next year or two I mention it to everyone co-workers and friends if there looking for an amazing place to spend a relaxing time and to enjoy looking back at history this is a place everyone should explore too I promise you it’s something and someplace you will never forget “Beautiful”……………
I have been visiting Biltmore since 1979, and now go yearly with my daughter, for her birthday, and sometimes a couple more visits throughout the year. When you know that the cost of your season pass or entrance fee goes toward keeping this magnificent home open to the public, it becomes more than worth it to those of us who love this house and grounds. Just one in my life before I am too old to go up the grand staircase I would love to see the entire house after everyone has gone home. It has the most magical feel to it whether its full of people or not.
We recently took the Christmas Candle lit evening tour, which gave us a better feel of how the house was lived in. It was less crowded and I had so many questions that the staff suggested I take the “Friends and Family tour” granting me access to all the smaller details and off limit rooms. We were very lucky, when asking questions about the passenger elevator, we were asked if we would like to take a trip on it. I was amazed at how quiet, smooth and fast it was.
We toured with friends in 2/2013. I enjoyed the new audio very much. The added history and information really added to the tour.
My daughter in law introduced me to the Biltmore many years ago and it became my favorite place to visit. Candle light Christmas has become for us a tradition which I can’t wait to pass on to my grandchildren. Thank you for being able to make all of us tourist fell like we are some how a honored guest and friend of the Biltmore family.
Biltmore house is one of my favorite places. I’ve been visiting there every year for about ten years. Always something new to see. I brought my children there, and now my granddaughters LOVE visiting too. I only wish I lived closer, I’d probably visit every season every year. Keep up the good work Biltmore.
My wife and I began visiting the Biltmore House and grounds some 15 years ago, or so. We were so impressed that we have visited several times since then. We have taken all of the tours. In fact we celebrated our 20th and 25th wedding anniversary there staying at the Biltmore Inn. My wife has always wanted to take the Christmas Candlelight tour so for our 25th wedding anniversary I surprised her with a weekend get away this past November, and the candlelight tour was wonderful. We hope to visit there this Spring when all of the beautiful array of flowers are blooming (sounds like another surprise weekend if forthcoming). Being an amateur magician I know a lot about the art of magic with its required skills, misdirection’s, beautiful props, and gimmicks. I can honestly say that the Biltmore House and Estate is TRUE MAGIC. “Remember that magic is all around you, the trick is to see it”…….
my husband and i came to visit last fall. we had a wonderful day there and hope to come back very soon. I wish i lived closer!I would love to be able to visit more often. Thank you for sharing your family home. It is a true american treasure.
Four years ago, in February, my birthday treat was to visit the Biltmore estate. My friend and I were totally amazed at the “castle” and its surrounding area. What an awesome experience to feel the cold weather and see some snow along the Blue Ridge Mountains. My next visit would most likely be during the fall foliage season. I bet the Estate has a breathtaking view with the colorful backdrop of the mountains’ leaves. I miss the fall foliage that I saw in the northeast. I now live in the midlands of South Carolina and I wish I lived closer so I could visit this beautiful historical landmark more often.
It’s a wonderful monument of human creativity and ingenuity. Hope it lasts for centuries and remains under the care of the descendants of Mr Vanderbilt who have devoted so much of their time and wealth towards the upkeep the years and it shows.
My daughter and I are visiting again for the third time. We love everything about it. It just brings history alive. I, too, would love to work at Biltmore. But since I can’t, I just plan on visiting yearly. I hope to have granddaughters someday that will visit with me. Helen Smith, Nashville