The Butler’s Cellar Book, a ledger that records the storage and consumption of the estate’s wine and spirits, tells only part of the tale of the Vanderbilt Wine Cellar in Centerport.
The Vanderbilt Museum is in possession of this treasured book, with entries from September 1914 through June of 1926 (six years into Prohibition and two months before Mrs. Vanderbilt’s death).
Apparently Mr. Vanderbilt held the key to the wine storage and would go down with the "houseman" to select the wines. The butler was responsible for the care of the bottles, and was expected to know their proper storage.
Even more interesting than documenting alcohol usage, the book occasionally notes the Vanderbilt’s dinner guests. Articulated from the ledger: “On Sunday, June 9, 1919, the Vanderbilts hosted Mr. and Mrs. Dupont, and Frederick’s sister, Mrs. Twombly, where one quart of the Zeltinger was served with the meal; a second quart was used the following Saturday, along with one quart of champagne. At another party, on Friday, May 28, 1920, the guests included the “Prince and Princess,” Mr. and Mrs. Baylin [?], Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, Mr. Drayton [?]; Mr. Scorchan; and Mr. Chandler [?].”
According to entries from 1914 - 1920s, the Vanderbilts primarily served champagne and white wine. By 1938, the cellar transitioned to mostly Madeira wine and whisky.
The butler’s book must be an intriguing read...if only the walls could talk.
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