America - photos of a big white house! COMPLETED

[km1971]

Did they have a 'cottage' in Cape Cod?

Ken

[Bethgem]

Did they have a 'cottage' in Cape Cod?

Ken

Sorry Ken, can't see the connection there; not unless it is a joke that I am not getting, silly me if so!

[aghadowey]

"Cottage" is a New England term for large mansions of wealthy families used as summer homes such as those in Newport, Rhode Island:
www.newportmansions.org/page7016.cfm
Haven't found any in Massachusetts yet. Some in New York, Virginia, Connecticut, Florida (not correct style).
I'm still trying to remember why this house looks familiar- if it was a photo in a book on Rockefeller family then it's over 20 years since I would have read it. Did lots more Googling but nothing likely yet.

[Bethgem]

 
Thank you very much for your help, aghadowery. I did some research myself but did not find anything, that's why I came on here to ask about it.

One of the places I applied to was the Rockefeller Archives in America and a lady told me she did not recognise the place in the photos. She suggested the big white house was just a hotel, but still she was not sure.

She said she passed the images round everyone in the building, too. Her final suggestion was for it being near to a Golf Course, as the elderly Mr Rockefeller spent a lot of time playing golf. My contact with her ended then.

That was a good while ago now, about 2007. I do not know why my Aunt Peg was there at that time in the photo, and she is with a friend too, as they each took an image of one another, but I do not know who she is.
 

[aghadowey]

Umm.. I was going to suggest contacting the archives next. If it is a hotel (although looks very 'empty') it's not going to be easy. Do you have any details about the last picture you've posted? that might be the way to track them down.

[Bethgem]

The last one I posted is of the big man himself, and I suppose his nearest and dearest, as the lady in America confirmed to me that they were definitely them. The building could be anywhere.

If you think that the white house looks empty for a hotel, then could it be a rest home of some kind, for the very rich, of course? I do not know how qualified my Aunt Peg was and so she very well could have been a minder for the old man himself! <Clutching straws smiley>

[nickgc]

Intriguing problem, Bethgem.

Since the architecture is Greek Revival, I suggest one method would be to use Google image search for  [ "greek revival" mansion ].  Limiting by Rockefeller might be too restrictive.

This turns up a lot of hits and I don't have the time to look through all of them.

Nick

[california dreamin]

Hello bethgem
Your query really intrigued me!  Although I am no expert on the Rockerfellers or "big white houses", I would like to suggest the following - after looking at your pictures the first couple of photos just by the way they are photographed look like they are trying to make the house a feature much more than the person - suggesting to me that they are looking at or visiting somewhere rather than it being somewhere that they own or go to alot.  The last photo you show -  I'm assuming is somewhere completely different by the brickwork and that in this photo it is the people who are the important part. I'm assuming that they must be at their usual home or one that is known because they don't feel the need to include much of the building in their photo.

There was much infomation brought up when I tried googling for different information, but the following tit-bit of info was thrown up in that it suggested "Manhatton's elite" all use to head for Westchester County because it was so close to NY.

Also,  I would have to disagree with the Rockerfeller lady who suggested a hotel.  It looks far too "stately" and empty to be hotel. I also don't think people of that caliber and at that period in time would go to a hotel.  People like J.Randolph Hearst etc. and that ilk were always hosting weekend parties and inviting these amazing & rich people to stay, so I might even go as far to say it was someone else's (equally as rich & famous) country estate. I would try and have a go at this - I found the name Joseph W. Ernst mentioned as the Rockerfeller Archivist (hopefully still alive!) and he seems to have written a number of books - I would write to him with your query, if any one should know I bet he would.  I'm sure you could address any letter to him through his publisher. Good luck with your quest.  I will be interested to know when you discover where it is!
Cheers, Leslie
PS - you never said which Rockerfeller the "old man" was.  He doesn't look like John D.

[Bethgem]

Intriguing problem, Bethgem.

Since the architecture is Greek Revival, I suggest one method would be to use Google image search for  [ "greek revival" mansion ].  Limiting by Rockefeller might be too restrictive.

This turns up a lot of hits and I don't have the time to look through all of them.

Nick

Many thanks for that suggestion! I saw "Greek revival architecture in America" link and have yet to click it to view it. I have been away over a week and have caught up now. I'll get back on this soon