The entrance to Eagle's Nest.Gabbi Shaw/Business InsiderThe Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum is a must-see for any "Gilded Age" fan.The museum was once the estate of William K. Vanderbilt II, the son of William and Alva Vanderbilt.Alva is the inspiration behind Bertha Russell, who is played by Carrie Coon on the show.Can you hear "The Last Great American Dynasty" playing in the distance?There are many historical mansions on Long Island, but only one was once owned by the legendary Vanderbilt family. The 42-acre estate of William Kissam Vanderbilt II, which included his summer "cottage" of Eagle's Nest, is now a museum that's open to the public.Eagle's Nest was first built in 1910 as a small cottage, but as William II spent more time there, it expanded until 1936, when a full redesign was finished: It had become a 24-room Spanish Revival mansion.William II spent time at Eagle's Nest until his death in 1944. His will stipulated that upon his wife Rosamund's death, the estate would be left to Suffolk County and become a museum, which it did after her death in 1947.The Vanderbilts are one of the best-known (and richest) families in American history — so much so that Bertha Russell, the main character on HBO's "The Gilded Age," is based on Alva Vanderbilt, William II's mother. In fact, a major plot line in season three is based on William II's sister, Consuelo Vanderbilt, marrying the Duke of Marlborough in 1895.As a fan of "The Gilded Age," I knew I had to check out Eagle's Nest — even if Larry Russell isn't really based on William II, I still needed to see the real mansion that his character might live in, so I visited in July 2025.The museum is open every day except Monday, and tours of the mansion are offered every day. Tickets for the museum range from $10 to $15, depending on the visitor's age, while a guided tour of the mansion is an additional $9.Here's what it was like to set foot in the home of a Vanderbilt.On the North Shore of Long Island, about 40 miles outside New York City, lies the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum.The outside wall of the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum.John Penney/Getty ImagesInside the grounds are hiking trails, gardens, and a gift shop.Gabbi Shaw/Business InsiderThere's also the Charles and Helen Reichert Planetarium, which holds multiple shows daily.Gabbi Shaw/Business InsiderThe biggest attraction, though, is Eagle's Nest, the 24-room mansion of William K. Vanderbilt II, the great-grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt.Gabbi Shaw/Business InsiderBefore I toured the home, I visited the museum grounds.Gabbi Shaw/Business InsiderAt the entrance stood a pair of stone eagles, which were taken from Grand Central Terminal. Cornelius Vanderbilt himself commissioned the train station.Gabbi Shaw/Business InsiderOne of the first things I did was head toward the Rose Garden; sadly, most of the roses had already bloomed.Gabbi Shaw/Business InsiderBut the landscaping was still immaculate.Gabbi Shaw/Business InsiderEven if the roses were already gone, the views of the Long Island Sound were worth it.Gabbi Shaw/Business InsiderThen it was time to head over to Eagle's Nest.Gabbi Shaw/Business InsiderEagle's Nest was originally built in 1910 as a small cottage. It expanded over the next three decades to become this Spanish Revival-style mansion.Gabbi Shaw/Business InsiderThe courtyard was set up for Shakespeare readings, which happen throughout the summer.Gabbi Shaw/Business InsiderOne side of the mansion is a natural history museum.Gabbi Shaw/Business InsiderThe other side is preserved to be just as the Vanderbilts left it in the early 1900s.Gabbi Shaw/Business InsiderThis was unlike any other historical mansion I've seen on Long Island, which are usually modeled on medieval castles or Tudor mansions.Gabbi Shaw/Business InsiderSource: Business InsiderThese cobblestones were taken from the streets of Greenwich Village in Manhattan before the streets were paved over.Gabbi Shaw/Business InsiderUpon entering the home, the first thing you see is the staircase. It was imported from a Belgian castle.Gabbi Shaw/Business InsiderThere are portraits of William II's family in the entryway. This is his father, William Kissam Vanderbilt. He ran an arena you may have heard of: Madison Square Garden.Gabbi Shaw/Business InsiderPictured top right is William II's mother, Alva Vanderbilt. She inspired Carrie Coon's character, Bertha Russell, on "The Gilded Age."Gabbi Shaw/Business InsiderThe first room I saw was the dining room.Gabbi Shaw/Business InsiderThe ceiling is constructed from Florida cedar, or Southern Red cedar.Gabbi Shaw/Business InsiderIn the corner is a beautifully crafted fireplace. The floor tiles were imported from Portugal.Gabbi Shaw/Business InsiderNext to the formal dining room is the butler's kitchen. At the height of William II's entertaining, 36 servants worked at Eagle's Nest.Gabbi Shaw/Business InsiderWith a view as great as Eagle's Nest's, of course there's a screened-in veranda.Gabbi Shaw/B
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