Virtual Globetrotting: Stately Homes

Virtual Globetrotting: Stately Homes http://virtualglobetrotting.com/ A great way to explore everything that can be seen from space! en-us Copyright 2009 admin@virtualglobetrotting.com (Nic) admin@virtualglobetrotting.com (Nic) Sun, 28 Dec 2008 16:25:48 -0800 http://backend.userland.com/rss <![CDATA[Robert Vukovich's House]]>

BEV

Robert Vukovich's House
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: kenny1
@ 2008-12-28 16:25:48
Robert is the Chairman of Wellspring Pharmaceuticals. His home measures in at a mind blowing 35,000 square feet. He ordered a staggering $3.1 million worth of Jerusalem stone from Haifa, Inc to use in the construction of his mansion.]]> http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/62100/ http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/62100/ Sun, 28 Dec 2008 16:25:48 -0800 http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/62100/ 40.28995300 -74.14701800 <![CDATA[Jeff Greene's Grand Estate]]>

BEV

Jeff Greene's Grand Estate
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By: kenny1
@ 2008-12-13 14:46:37
Jeff Greene is a real estate and hedge fund mogul who shorted subprime mortgage. He purchased this 50,000 square foot mansion for $32,500,000.]]> http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/61162/ http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/61162/ Sat, 13 Dec 2008 14:46:37 -0800 http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/61162/ 34.10706700 -118.40211500 <![CDATA[Palatial Pennsylvania Mega-Mansion]]>

Palatial Pennsylvania Mega-Mansion
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: kenny1
@ 2008-12-13 14:26:01
This 32,400 square foot mega-mansion is owned by real estate developer Joseph Nocito. It is the currently the largest home under construction in Western Pennsylvania.]]> http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/61160/ http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/61160/ Sat, 13 Dec 2008 14:26:01 -0800 http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/61160/ 40.58865100 -80.16062700 <![CDATA[Marc Ecko's Palatial Mansion]]>

BEV

Marc Ecko's Palatial Mansion
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: kenny1
@ 2008-11-15 16:32:13
Marc Ecko is an entrepreneur and founder of Marc Ecko Enterprises. His 2-story Italian inspired villa used to be a school for girls.]]> http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/59545/ http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/59545/ Sat, 15 Nov 2008 16:32:13 -0800 http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/59545/ 40.73791000 -74.59918800 <![CDATA[Prince Jefri Bolkiah's Mega Compound]]>

BEV

Prince Jefri Bolkiah's Mega Compound
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: kenny1
@ 2008-11-15 16:07:15
This was built by Prince Jefri Bolkiah, brother of the Sultan of Brunei, in 1997. It is valued at $60 million and was built on a 16 acre lot. All of the buildings have a combined square footage of 108,895 square feet.]]> http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/59543/ http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/59543/ Sat, 15 Nov 2008 16:07:15 -0800 http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/59543/ 36.09429400 -115.27826600 <![CDATA[John H. Klein's Mega Mansion]]>

BEV

John H. Klein's Mega Mansion
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By: kenny1
@ 2008-11-15 15:04:40
John H. Klein is the chairman of DAVA Pharmaceuticals.
]]>

BEV

John H. Klein's Mega Mansion
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: kenny1
@ 2008-11-15 15:04:40
John H. Klein is the chairman of DAVA Pharmaceuticals.
]]> http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/59541/ http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/59541/ Sat, 15 Nov 2008 15:04:40 -0800 http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/59541/ 40.95463600 -73.93412600 <![CDATA[Designer Showhouse of NJ]]>

BEV

Designer Showhouse of NJ
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: kenny1
@ 2008-11-15 14:50:16
This is the 2008 designer showhouse of New Jersey. It is located in Saddle River, NJ. It is being offered at $7,995,000 and contains 15,800 square feet of living space which includes a home theater and a two story closet. ]]> http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/59538/ http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/59538/ Sat, 15 Nov 2008 14:50:16 -0800 http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/59538/ 41.02831200 -74.07773100 <![CDATA[Vernon Hill's Mega Mansion]]>

Vernon Hill's Mega Mansion
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By: kenny1
@ 2008-11-14 19:55:21
This mansion, known as Villa Collina, is owned by the ceo and founder of Commerce Bank. The home measures in at a whopping 46,000 square feet and is the largest residence in New Jersey. The home has a two story atrium style formal living room, billiards room, and a library. A family kitchen, prep kitchen, green house, guest room, and maids rooms are all located on the first floor. The second floor contains 5 massive bedroom suites. The home's exercise room clocks in at a whopping 4,000 square feet. The home also has twin two story garages on either end of the home that can hold up to 30 cars each. ]]>

Osbaston House
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By: Parabellum
@ 2008-09-02 17:40:14
The millionaire businessman Christopher Foster murdered his wife and daughter before setting fire to his mansion and killing himself in an hour-long burst of violence after seeing his company collapse.

Hat tip to gearthhacks.com and pmoore66.]]> http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/55865/ http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/55865/ Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:40:14 -0700 http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/55865/ 52.79526000 -3.02654000 <![CDATA[Blake Hall]]>

BEV

Blake Hall
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: kjfitz
@ 2008-07-31 10:51:59
Blake Hall is a country house and gardens near Chipping Ongar in Essex.

The house is based around an original fabric dating from the 17th century or older, but was largely rebuilt in the 18th century and later remodelled by George Basevi in 1822. It was home of the Capel Cure family for over 200 years.

After the operations centre at nearby RAF North Weald for Sector E, No. 11 Group RAF was bombed by the Luftwaffe in September 1940 during the Battle of Britain, a new ops room was built in the house.

The Grade II* listed building is now set at the heart of its own conservation area. It is available to hire for weddings and civil ceremonies.

Blake Hall station, now closed, was named after the hall though it was about a mile to the south-west.]]>

BEV

Lyme Hall
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By: kjfitz
@ 2008-07-29 16:04:38
Lyme Park is an estate and park near Disley, in the county of Cheshire, England. The principal feature of the park is Lyme Hall, an Elizabethan manor house resembling an Italianate palazzo.

Lyme Hall was used as the location for "Pemberley", the home of Mr. Darcy, in the 1995 BBC adaptation of Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice.

]]> http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/54127/ http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/54127/ Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:04:38 -0700 http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/54127/ 53.33786600 -2.05403600 <![CDATA[Hall Barn]]>

Hall Barn
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By: kjfitz
@ 2008-07-19 23:28:14
Site used in many movies and TV shows

"Jeeves and Wooster" (1990): Arrested in a Night Club Episode
"Sense and Sensibility" (2008)
Brief Encounter (1945)
...aka Noel Coward's Brief Encounter (1945)
Chariots of Fire (1981)
Gosford Park (2001)
...aka Gosford Park (2001)
Miss Austen Regrets (2008)
Penelope (2006)
]]> http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/53454/ http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/53454/ Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:28:14 -0700 http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/53454/ 51.59400300 -0.63980200 <![CDATA[Cool Modernist Mansion]]>

Cool Modernist Mansion
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By: jbottero
@ 2007-07-29 22:31:35]]>

Cool Modernist Mansion
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: jbottero
@ 2007-07-29 22:31:35]]> http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/35914/ http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/35914/ Sun, 29 Jul 2007 22:31:35 -0700 http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/35914/ 33.04644500 -117.20240300 <![CDATA["Fair Field"]]>

BEV

"Fair Field"
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By: mlc1us
@ 2007-07-27 19:45:18
One of the largest occupied residential compounds in the U.S. at 100,000 square feett (9,000 m²).]]>

BEV

"Fair Field"
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: mlc1us
@ 2007-07-27 19:45:18
One of the largest occupied residential compounds in the U.S. at 100,000 square feett (9,000 m²).]]> http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/35838/ http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/35838/ Fri, 27 Jul 2007 19:45:18 -0700 http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/35838/ 40.91918200 -72.26478600 <![CDATA[Lasata Mansion]]>

BEV

Lasata Mansion
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: tlp333
@ 2007-07-14 18:23:55
February 15, 2007

Lasata mansion has been sold.

The 8,500-square-foot “Lasata” mansion in East Hampton, N.Y. where Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis spent much of her childhood summers staying with her paternal grandparents reportedly has just sold for $24 million to Reed Krakoff, the president and creative director of Coach, Inc. after being on the market for $25 million.

The New York Post is reporting today that Krakoff, 42, bought the 6.44-acre Lasata property, which is very unique among American estates in that it has its own wikipedia page. Wikipedia tells us that the property, at 121 Further Lane, was built in 1917 and is a block from the Atlantic Ocean. Jackie O’s paternal grandparents John Vernou Bouvier II and Maude Sergeant Bouvier said the house’s name, Lasata, is Native American for “place of peace.” A cached version of the parcel’s listing sheet reports that the estate was designed by architect Arthur Jackson and stayed in the Bouvier family through the 1920s. The six-bedroom mansion also has five and a half baths, according to listing information.

The estate was being sold by the heirs of longtime owner Miriam Fitzsimmons Meehan, who died in 2005 at age 93.]]>

BEV

On The Circuit at Goodwood
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: Parabellum
@ 2007-06-23 08:48:07
Lots to see here. Goodwood has a historic race track, an airport, and a manor house.]]>

On The Circuit at Goodwood
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: Parabellum
@ 2007-06-23 08:48:07
Lots to see here. Goodwood has a historic race track, an airport, and a manor house.]]> http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/34650/ http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/34650/ Sat, 23 Jun 2007 08:48:07 -0700 http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/34650/ 50.85931600 -0.75299800 <![CDATA[Doughoregan Manor]]>

Doughoregan Manor
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: boothy443
@ 2007-06-11 20:24:55
From 1766 to 1832, Doughoregan Manor was the country home of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence. He lies buried in the chapel attached to the north end of the mansion. "Doughoregan" was a family estate in Ireland.

Members of the Carroll family still own and live in the manor, which sits at the center of a thousand acre (4 km²) estate. Recently a family member observed, "Only God, the Indians and the Carrolls have owned this land." The estate and Manor Lane are closed to the public.]]>

BEV

Villa Genero
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: Effi
@ 2007-06-08 10:01:11]]>

BEV

Villa Genero
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: Effi
@ 2007-06-08 10:01:11]]> http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/34222/ http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/34222/ Fri, 08 Jun 2007 10:01:11 -0700 http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/34222/ 45.05797500 7.70849000 <![CDATA[Wightwick Manor]]>

BEV

Wightwick Manor
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: kaiken
@ 2007-06-03 15:04:10]]>

BEV

Wightwick Manor
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: kaiken
@ 2007-06-03 15:04:10]]> http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/34102/ http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/34102/ Sun, 03 Jun 2007 15:04:10 -0700 http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/34102/ 52.58364000 -2.19421100 <![CDATA[Schloss Georgium]]>

BEV

Schloss Georgium
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: kaiken
@ 2007-05-24 08:36:11
The Anhalt Art Gallery is located inside this palace.]]>

BEV

Schloss Georgium
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: kaiken
@ 2007-05-24 08:36:11
The Anhalt Art Gallery is located inside this palace.]]> http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/33572/ http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/33572/ Thu, 24 May 2007 08:36:11 -0700 http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/33572/ 51.84417000 12.23034000 <![CDATA[Col. Frank J. Hecker House]]>

BEV

Col. Frank J. Hecker House
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: boothy443
@ 2007-05-11 19:23:46]]>

BEV

Col. Frank J. Hecker House
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: boothy443
@ 2007-05-11 19:23:46]]> http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/32838/ http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/32838/ Fri, 11 May 2007 19:23:46 -0700 http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/32838/ 42.36154700 -83.06684600 <![CDATA[Edsel and Eleanor Ford House]]>

BEV

Edsel and Eleanor Ford House
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: boothy443
@ 2007-05-11 17:38:11
The 87-acre estate of Edsel and Eleanor Ford. ]]>

BEV

Edsel and Eleanor Ford House
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: boothy443
@ 2007-05-11 17:38:11
The 87-acre estate of Edsel and Eleanor Ford. ]]> http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/32823/ http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/32823/ Fri, 11 May 2007 17:38:11 -0700 http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/32823/ 42.45410100 -82.86896900 <![CDATA[Estate of the family that inspired 'The Philadelphia Story']]>

Estate of the family that inspired 'The Philadelphia Story'
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: kjfitz
@ 2007-05-11 16:01:54
The sprawling estate of the wealthy family that inspired "The Philadelphia Story" is up for sale.

Ardrossan, named after the Montgomery ancestral home in Ayrshire, Scotland, has been a retreat for the privileged for almost a century. Hope Montgomery Scott, the family head for most of that time, was the basis for Katharine Hepburn's character in the 1940 Oscar-winning movie, which also starred Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart.

Edgar "Eddie" Scott III, spokesman for the family, told The Philadelphia Inquirer for Sunday's editions that it was too early to talk about the price of the 360-acre estate, which he said would depend largely on what the buyer wanted to do with it.]]>

Chatsworth House
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: kjfitz
@ 2007-05-10 12:46:50
Chatsworth House is a large country house approx 3½ miles north east of Bakewell in Derbyshire, England, originally built by Bess of Hardwick.

Chatsworth is the seat of the Dukes of Devonshire, whose family name is Cavendish, from Cavendish, Suffolk. William Cavendish was Bess of Hardwick's second husband, the only one by whom she had issue.

Chatsworth stands on the left bank of the River Derwent and looks across the river to the low hills that divide the valleys of the Derwent and the Wye. The Park is expansive, and behind the house, hills fall backwards. Up and above and beyond are rocks and bracken and heather.

The house contains a unique collection of priceless paintings, furniture, European Old Master drawings, neoclassical sculpture and other artefacts. Chatsworth's garden is one of the most famous in England. Chatsworth has been selected as the United Kingdom's favourite country house several times.]]>

BEV

Fondaco dei Turchi
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: kjfitz
@ 2007-05-05 01:34:37
The Fondaco dei Turchi, or (Venetian: Fontega dei Turchi), is a 13th century palazzo on the Grand Canal of Venice.
The palace was constructed in the first half of the 13th century by Giacomo Palmier, an exile from Pesaro. The Venetian Republic purchased it in 1381 for Niccolò II d'Este, the Marquess of Ferrara. During it's early history, the palazzo also served as a home to many visiting dignitaries.

From the seventeenth century until 1838, served as a one-building-ghetto for Venice's Ottoman Turkish population. The palace then served as a combination home, warehouse, and market for the Turkish traders.

A number of restrictions were placed on the palazzo and its residents, including restrictions on the times one was able to enter and leave the ghetto, as well as on trading. Among other things, Venetian Turks imported wax, oil, crude wool to the city.

When the Venetian Republic was abolished by Napoleon Boneparte in 1797, the Turkish traders continued to live in the palazzo until 1838.

From 1890 to 1923, the area was home the Museo Correr collection, which was moved to the Procuratie Nuove and Ala Napoleonica musems, at the Piazza San Marco, after 1923. Today, the area houses the Venetian Museum of Natural History, with historical collections of flora and fauna, fossils, and an aquarium.]]>

BEV

Nemours
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By: boothy443
@ 2007-04-26 22:22:53
The estate of Alfred I. duPont, names after Nemours, France, the ancestral home of Alfred's great-great-grandfather.]]>

Nemours
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: boothy443
@ 2007-04-26 22:22:53
The estate of Alfred I. duPont, names after Nemours, France, the ancestral home of Alfred's great-great-grandfather.]]> http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/32142/ http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/32142/ Thu, 26 Apr 2007 22:22:53 -0700 http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/32142/ 39.77722700 -75.55945900 <![CDATA[Christchurch Mansion]]>

BEV

Christchurch Mansion
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: mlc1us
@ 2007-04-01 11:55:21]]>

BEV

Christchurch Mansion
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: mlc1us
@ 2007-04-01 11:55:21]]> http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/31218/ http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/31218/ Sun, 01 Apr 2007 11:55:21 -0700 http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/31218/ 52.06065400 1.15802700 <![CDATA[Boughton House]]>

BEV

Boughton House
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: mlc1us
@ 2007-04-01 11:44:41
Northamptonshire home of the Dukes of Buccleuch and Queensberry]]>

BEV

Boughton House
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: mlc1us
@ 2007-04-01 11:44:41
Northamptonshire home of the Dukes of Buccleuch and Queensberry]]> http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/31216/ http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/31216/ Sun, 01 Apr 2007 11:44:41 -0700 http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/31216/ 52.42450300 -0.67749500 <![CDATA[Seaham Hall]]>

Seaham Hall
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: kjfitz
@ 2007-03-31 11:32:22
Seaham Hall is now a spa Hotel in County Durham. It was once the home of George Henry Robert Charles William Vane-Tempest, 5th Marquess of Londonderry.

Seaham Hall was one of the many properties acquired by Charles William Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry through his second marriage to Frances-Anne Vane-Tempest. She was one of the greatest heiress's of the time. She stood to inherit nearly 65,000 acres. The family did not spend much time at this residence but used their Irish house - Mount Stewart

The Londonderrys developed one of the County Durham estates into what is now the modern harbour town of Seaham. This town was designed to rival near Sunderland.

The house was named after this town. The house is now no longer in the family's hands as it was sold but is now a Health Spa housed in the same building. The spa also has the same name.]]>

Thorpe Hall Gardens
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: kjfitz
@ 2007-03-25 15:49:15]]>

Thorpe Hall Gardens
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: kjfitz
@ 2007-03-25 15:49:15]]> http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/30947/ http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/30947/ Sun, 25 Mar 2007 15:49:15 -0700 http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/30947/ 52.31686800 1.24277500 <![CDATA[Ardgowan Estate]]>

Ardgowan Estate
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: kjfitz
@ 2007-03-25 11:01:54
Ardgowan Estate is owned by the Shaw Stewart family and has been in the family for over 600 years. The house is set in the middle of 400 acres of beautiful parkland on the south shores of the Firth of Clyde and is home to Lady Shaw Stewart and her son Sir Ludovic, the 12th Baronet.

The lands of Ardgowan were given to John Stewart by his father King Robert 111 of Scotland on 5th may 1403. Robert 111 was Robert the Bruce’s great grandson and the estate has been passed down from father to son or uncle to nephew to the present day.

The first historical mention of the Castle of Ardgowan - the tower at the bottom of the garden - was in 1307. At that time the castle was an English garrison commanded by Sir Philip Mowbray. Following a battle with the Scots, Mowbray and his troops were defeated and fled into Ayrshire. There was a castle here in the days of Bruce but the present building is of a later date, probably the end of the 15th century.]]>

Gosford House
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: kjfitz
@ 2007-03-23 09:49:07
The home of the Earls of Wemyss and March, this extensive mansion, designed by Robert Adam (1728-92), lies on Gosford Bay, 2 miles (3 km) north northeast of Longniddry.

Gosford House was begun in 1790 and completed in 1800, but has been much altered subsequently. The 8th Earl of Wemyss did not like the style of Adam's wings and had them demolished, leaving the house as the solitary main block until 1890 when new wings were built by architect William Young, considerably extending the house. Young also created the stunning Italianate marble hall in pink alabaster, employing Sir William Arrol (1839 - 1913) to create the steel-work to support the enormous central dome.

Sadly the house was struck by fire in 1940, while requisitioned by the military, which destroyed one of the large rooms in the central block and subsequent dry-rot resulted in a large part of the roof being removed. This was not replaced until the 1980s but the fire-damaged room remains abandoned and in need of restoration. Despite this, the 12th Earl of Wemyss made Gosford his primary residence in the early 1950s. The house contains a remarkable art collection, primarily due to the 10th Earl, who was a passionate and genuine collector who ignored the current fashion and bought what he actually liked. The collection includes works by Botticelli, Murillo and Rubens.

The surrounding estate includes classical stables, also by Adam, a mausoleum, ice house and on the north side two octagonal lodges lying either side of impressive gates.]]>

BEV

Rosecliff mansion
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By: milwhcky
@ 2007-03-22 12:06:34
Built in 1902.

The Great Gatsby, True Lies, and Amistad have been filmed here.]]>

BEV

Rosecliff mansion
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: milwhcky
@ 2007-03-22 12:06:34
Built in 1902.

The Great Gatsby, True Lies, and Amistad have been filmed here.]]> http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/30824/ http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/30824/ Thu, 22 Mar 2007 12:06:34 -0700 http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/30824/ 41.46505000 -71.30431500 <![CDATA[Luxury villa]]>

BEV

Luxury villa
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By: berli110
@ 2007-03-20 13:57:04
Luxury villa]]>

BEV

Luxury villa
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: berli110
@ 2007-03-20 13:57:04
Luxury villa]]> http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/30719/ http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/30719/ Tue, 20 Mar 2007 13:57:04 -0700 http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/30719/ 34.04735700 -118.91547600 <![CDATA[Holkham Hall and Estate]]>

Holkham Hall and Estate
[Info] [GM] [LM] [YM]
By: kjfitz
@ 2007-02-22 10:37:20
HOLKHAM HALL, home of the Coke family and the Earls of Leicester, was built between 1734 and 1764 by Thomas Coke, the first Earl of Leicester.

This Palladian style mansion reflects Thomas Coke's appreciation of classical art developed during his six-year-long Grand Tour of Europe. By the time he returned to Norfolk in 1718, Thomas had bought many valuable and unique manuscripts and printed books, along with many great works of art and statuary.

During his time in Rome, Thomas had met briefly with Lord Burlington and his protégé, William Kent; and their enthusiasm and imagination led to the conception of Holkham Hall as you see it today.

The Coke family has lived at Holkham since 1609, when the founder of the family fortune, Sir Edward Coke, purchased the manor of Neals. Thomas lived here with his parents, until their death in 1707, in the Elizabethan manor house known as Hill Hall. However, after returning from his Grand Tour, Thomas employed the architect Matthew Brettingham to oversee the work of interpreting and implementing the designs for the new house drawn up by Kent and himself.

In 1734, the first foundations were dug, and 30 years later the house was completed. Unfortunately, Thomas died in 1759 and never saw his great dream fulfilled. The task of finishing and furnishing the house fell to his widow Lady Margaret Tufton, a formidable woman, who ruled Holkham with firmness and great attention to detail for the next 17 years.

As Lady Margaret and Thomas's only child, Edward, died in 1753, the house on which the couple had spent so much time, effort and money,, eventually passed to the next male in line, Wenman Roberts. Wenman - who changed his name to Coke - lived for only 12 months after he inherited Holkham, and so his son, Thomas William Coke, soon became the master of the estate. A politician and avid agriculturist, he became known as 'Coke of Norfolk'. A great self-publicist, with an enormous energy and charm, Coke was a Member of Parliament for 53 years.

The house today is little altered from the first Earl's original ideal. During the 1850s, the second Earl added the vestibule on the north side of the house, the stables, offices, orangery and buildings to the east, and the terraced gardens to the south.

Holkham is not a museum. As well as the seventh Earl and his family, three other families live here throughout the year. Although the house is closed to the public in the winter, it is never empty or idle. Its library, statues, paintings and furniture are a major source for academic research. Holkham has loaned paintings, furniture and manuscripts to galleries and museums in Italy, Germany, England, Japan and America. In 1999, Holkham artefacts were featured in 14 major exhibitions.

Holkham Hall is a member of the Historic Houses Association. Formed in 1973, the HHA exists to provide practical advice and professional services to private owners, and to represent them in their effort to preserve this vital part of our heritage in the interest of the nation. The present Earl of Leicester is the vice patron of the HHA. ]]>