"Making Their Mark: The Women of Biltmore Estate"

While it is easy to tell the story of George Washington Vanderbilt at Biltmore Estate, buried just under the surface are the stories of the female residents of Biltmore House, Edith Vanderbilt and Cornelia Vanderbilt Cecil. From the late 1890s to the 1930s, Edith and Cornelia shaped not only the estate on which they lived, but the wider communities in which they were active. Born in different eras and yet united by an abiding love for Western North Carolina, this talk will examine the Vanderbilt women’s involvement in the social, philanthropic, and public life of the region with an emphasis on how society perceived them—and how they perceived themselves.

Meghan Forest-Singeris Associate Curator at Biltmore Estate, where she has worked for seven years. Her graduate work at the University of Oxford (Kellogg College) fostered a passion for uncovering stories of those that may otherwise be lost to history. During her time at Biltmore, she has authored five exhibitions and piloted Biltmore’s online exhibition program, in addition to her involvement in conducting archival research, supporting room restorations, and advancing equitable, multimedia interpretation that makes all guests to Biltmore feel welcomed.

Free admission for CHS members;
$5 suggested donation for non-members