Fodor's Expert Review Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens
Cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post was a celebrated philanthropist, businessperson, and socialite, who was also known for her passion for collecting art and creating some of the most beautiful homes of the 20th century. Of these, the 25-acre Hillwood Estate, which Post bought in 1955, is the only one now open to the public. The 36-room Georgian mansion, where she regularly hosted presidents, diplomats, and royalty, is sumptuously appointed, with a formal Louis XVI drawing room, private movie theater and ballroom, and magnificent libraries filled with portraits of the glamorous hostess and her family and acquaintances, as well as works from her rich art collection. She was especially fascinated with Russian art, and her collection of Russian icons, tapestries, gold and silver work, imperial porcelain, and Fabergé eggs is considered to be the largest and most significant outside Russia. She devoted equal attention to her gardens; you can wander through 13 acres of them. Allow two... READ MORE
Cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post was a celebrated philanthropist, businessperson, and socialite, who was also known for her passion for collecting art and creating some of the most beautiful homes of the 20th century. Of these, the 25-acre Hillwood Estate, which Post bought in 1955, is the only one now open to the public. The 36-room Georgian mansion, where she regularly hosted presidents, diplomats, and royalty, is sumptuously appointed, with a formal Louis XVI drawing room, private movie theater and ballroom, and magnificent libraries filled with portraits of the glamorous hostess and her family and acquaintances, as well as works from her rich art collection. She was especially fascinated with Russian art, and her collection of Russian icons, tapestries, gold and silver work, imperial porcelain, and Fabergé eggs is considered to be the largest and most significant outside Russia. She devoted equal attention to her gardens; you can wander through 13 acres of them. Allow two to three hours to tour.
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