Asheville's Fortress of Art: Biltmore Estate

From the 2014 Our State (NC) magazine by Bryan Mims.

During World War II, Asheville, North Carolina's Biltmore Estate became the center of a top-secret scheme to save some of America's most indispensable works of art.  Among them, the classic portrait of George Washington painted by Gilbert Stuart.

This was, of course, just in case.

Earlier in 1941, that painting had been at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C..  Rumors of Nazi looting of Art had already crossed the Atlantic.

And, also, there was Titian's"Venus With a Mirror" and Raphael's  Portrait of "Bindo Altovitti" and a self portrait by Rembrandt.

Where to safely hide these and other works away, just in case, became of utmost importance.

His long-time friend, Edith Vanderbilt had that huge place in western North Carolina called the Biltmore, a 250 room home.  She agreed.  And, she knew just the room to put this new art.

--GreGen