The Vanderbilt's Effect Locally:
Boys at the Biltmore Forest School.
Like George Vanderbilt had dreamed during the construction of the estate, it was a productive investment. The Biltmore estate was producing and profiting from commodities such as cattle, grain, honey, timber from the Biltmore Mill, and greenhouses. The Vanderbilt couple themselves were also getting out into the community and making a difference. In 1889, George purchased a neighboring town named Best. He renamed it Biltmore Village, which is a division that still exists in Asheville to this day, and built things like cottages, shops, and a church for the employees of the estate to use (Carley & Rennicke, 2000).
George Vanderbilt was accredited for introducing innovative farming techniques into the community which was evident through the farming success on the estate. In 1898, Mr. Vanderbilt founded “Biltmore Forest School” that was the “first institute for scientific forestry in the United States of America.” He later went on to establish “Biltmore Estate Industries in 1901 that taught students craft skills like weaving and woodwork. Edith also had the opportunity to establish her own school in 1903 entitled “School for Domestic Science” that trained women in the trade of housekeeping (Carley & Rennicke, 2000).
George Vanderbilt was accredited for introducing innovative farming techniques into the community which was evident through the farming success on the estate. In 1898, Mr. Vanderbilt founded “Biltmore Forest School” that was the “first institute for scientific forestry in the United States of America.” He later went on to establish “Biltmore Estate Industries in 1901 that taught students craft skills like weaving and woodwork. Edith also had the opportunity to establish her own school in 1903 entitled “School for Domestic Science” that trained women in the trade of housekeeping (Carley & Rennicke, 2000).