Keeping up with the Joneses: Who Were the Joneses and What Happened to Their Mansion?
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Get ready for an adventure as we explore the long-lost mansion that inspired the phrase "Keeping up with the Joneses"! Join Ken on a journey through time, unraveling the history of the Joneses, their iconic house, and the legacy they left behind.
Location: Rhinebeck, NY
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Public Domain Photos from: Library of Congress, Pop Momand, The Frick
CC BY 2.0(creativecommons.org/licenses/...) Photos from: Flickr User: Joseph
CC NY 2.5(creativecommons.org/licenses/... Daniel Case
CC BY-SA 4.0(creativecommons.org/licenses/...) Photos from: Wikipedia User: Jess Mann
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I hope the developer who bought this mansion is successful in restoring her. It is ashamed to see all of that beautiful craftsmanship crumble with time.
@furtim1
Жыл бұрын
I know it. Old growth parquet floors going to termites and fungus? Damn shame. Those panels and moldings are just awesome. It is sad to think that nobody will cry such tears when the big homes and condos built today, with their aluminum studs, Chinese-made fixtures, and particle board I-beams, turn to rot.
@jacquelynsharp9354
Жыл бұрын
Yeah this story of greedy wealth,a rich lady's heaven,a shame her legacy x this house now neglacted,I don't know wuts worse,them,her,or persons responsible for its upkeep,all a waste,a shameful history,I hate rich people!!!😢always a waste,so many good women and men out there and this mansion rotted!!no benefit to anyone at all huh???!!!😢
@montananerd8244
Жыл бұрын
I understand fully the desire to preserve, but economically, it's impossible. Houses are not designed to last multiple centuries generally. We build and rebuild. I live where most of the town is still on its first build ever on the land (the traditional stewards of our land are the Apsaalooke people, who did a lot of awesome things and did not build), it's very interesting to see people want to save entire blocks, but only a few may be preserved. We only need so many examples of each era of social history, right now, it's important to focus on the 1930s-60s and buildings from past history that hasn't been preserved well. I'd trade in all our local preserved mansions for one preserved building from the complex that housed the Latino people who built our economy. We don't need Jones mansion...
@cosmosadorabilis7677
Жыл бұрын
There's nothing left to be restored.
@PassionJackson-by3qm
Жыл бұрын
The whole point is the mansion is there definition of worth....you can’t rebuild someone’s worth when yours don’t match its impossible...the mansion was going to eventually rot out
I’m glad there is a developer out there willing to see the value in what is left of this house. I’ve often heard the expression “ Keeping up with the Joneses” but never knew where it originated. Thanks Ken!
Ken, it is so sad to see any home get vandalized and fall into ruins.
Those arched doors were magnificent.
The brick work on this house is spectacular!!! I hope that the ambitious developer is able to restore this amazing mansion to its former glory!!! I hope that he has deep pockets!!! Thanks for sharing this exciting video!!! 👍👍🙂
Fascinating story, thanks as always. It is very interesting how often these grand houses, seemingly built to last a thousand years, have a very short life span before ending up abandoned, converted to institutional or business use, or falling to the wrecker's ball.
Amazing brickwork. The dark paneling was appealing. Shame it's not been taken care of.
Having worked for years in construction/development it's very feasible to restore and save this capsule of amazing architecture from so long ago. I too wish the developer well.
@furtim1
Жыл бұрын
In addition to the unavailability of old growth trees to replace the paneling and floors (which alone sabotages the entire restoration project), are there even craftsman available to do such wood, stone, and plaster work?
@mercedesvelasquez8781
Жыл бұрын
@@furtim1yes their are but their are far in between meaning their workmanship is going to cost a lot & rightfully so due to their being so few of them left anymore. It's kinda like my dad who is 68 he doesn't do as nearly much work anymore expect for a handful of jobs but he does costum cabinets but sometimes costumers complain that he works 5oo slow so his response is then go to home depot & get yourself a shotty pre-made cabinets & kitchen all together because what he does is by hand and takes a bit of time to perfect just perfectly right..
@furtim1
Жыл бұрын
@@mercedesvelasquez8781 Custom cabinets can be really nice. Many pre-made box cabinets can be really nice as well and sometimes indistinguishable from handmade, depending on how the craftsman applies his skill (joinery, materials, carvings, style [gothic, craftsman, etc]). Considering how many people now want to live in gray boxes (gray walls, gray carpet, square windows with no trim or mullions, no moldings, paint any wood surface gray, black, or white...no elegance or taste to ANYTHING). That's why I love these old mansions. The skills, artistry, style, and materials - just so gorgeous.
Wow. Imagine the people who had the talent to design the layout, and all those craftsman who put each brick in place.
In all my life I never truly knew where the expression "Keeping up with the Joneses'' came from thanks so much for posting this one!
@midnightmadness5307
Жыл бұрын
@@whatsup5791 That's cool too, thanks!
I wish the developer success in his endeavor.🤞 The brickwork is incredible.
As I was watching the video, I was wondering if this mansion was demolished. To my surprise, it is not!! I never knew who the Joneses were or of their properties. I can only imagine how the developer will bring her back to her beauty and glory. Thank you Ken for another magnificent video of “This House.”
@Alavachemusic
Жыл бұрын
@@whatsup5791 the comic strip was the first thing mentioned in this video.
God! I hope they can save it! Thank Heavens this developer appeared on the scene! This is the most beautiful house I've ever seen. That brickwork and woodwork!
I walked around the 8 ft tall chain link fence that still surrounds the ruins in Rhinecliff a couple years ago. The weeds were taller than me.
Such a Beautiful home, I hope that it can be restored. Greed brought this treasure down 😢😢
Seeing this beautiful home in such disrepair, greatly saddens me. How I wish we could go back in time and see all these homes in their glory! I hope the developer is successful!
The exterior is a Romanesque marvel. 👍
Being a Jones myself I feel they had exquisite taste in construction. 😊 I love intricate stone work on a grand home.
I found this so sad! Such a beautiful home falling to pieces.
Great story! Caught my interest and some stunning pictures of a kind of gothic demise.
Please follow up on how this unusual, beautiful mansion is restored to it's former glory 🥰🙏
Hahaha--that last line was great. This caught my eye because it reminded me of Olana. Thanks for the history!
Your video is excellent as always! I visited this mansion about 20 years ago when the building still had a few floors intact. The property must have been MAGNIFICENT as a lot of the paneling inside and the brickwork detail was breathtaking. I live in the Hudson valley and hope very much this landmark can be rescued. I always knew this home as Wyndcliffe.
@furtim1
Жыл бұрын
I don't understand how anyone could own such a property, do nothing to keep the property up and allow it to rot, yet not sell all the paneling and anything else of value.
@LlyleHunter
Жыл бұрын
It’s a shame that while they were selling off most of the eighty acres not a single person involved thought of maintaining the house.
@anthonypopola5773
Жыл бұрын
You’re correct, Wyndcliffe
When I take a good look at the brickwork, it reminds me of geometry class and teachers commenting that you may find the information valuable later in life.
Hope it can be saved. Beautiful brick work.
This is too Beautiful for words. Just imagine seeing this when newly built and furnished. ♥️
Very interesting Ken…..never gave much thought to the origination of “keeping up with the joneses” now I know. I love those historical tidbits of information. Beautiful mansion - hope the developer can save it. Thanks❤
Most spectacular brickwork i have every seen. Hope it can be saved
Oh, this is heartbreaking to see the house as it slowly deteriorates over the years. I hope it can be restored.
I believe the author Edith Wharton was from this Jones family before her marriage. It's how she knew what to write about NYC's rich in books like 'The Age of Innocence.'
This makes me so sad. What a beautiful place. I pray the developer can restore this magnificent home. Thank you for sharing!
I grew up in Newport RI, (that was an image of Touro Park looking West towards the Brick Market Building, with the arches, it was where Amistad and Hocus Pocus 3 were filmed), and was led to believe the phrase originated in Newport. The same family have have has mansion in Newport as well.
It does look pretty far gone, BUT they could shore it up, save it as a 'ruin'. It would still make a great tourist attraction with a nice park around it. It is a definite part of our history! ALSO you guys at This House should write a book full of pictures. All the interior shots used in the videos would be great. I think you'd have a few buyers for it! Haha! All your viewers!
It must have been a spectacular house. I hope it gets saved. Thank you for the video
Thoroughly enjoy & learn from each & every one of your presentations , Ken . Also , the comments are interesting , especially by those who are familiar w/ the home being presented . Thanks to all .
Oh those rascally Joneses, always better than me. Edit: that is some impressive brick laying skillmanship
I'm glad somebody else asked themselves this kind of questions!!
That's nice that reminds me of Edwardian house is in Australia but obviously earlier.
I hope he can once again be what it was its former glory and they have somebody the living and they loved it
I like that this video was short and to the point. I never knew about any wealthy families before the Astors and Vanderbilts. Now I know where Keeping Up with the Jones' comes from!
An interesting house. Hopefully it can be saved and restored.
Great video. Heard it often when I was younger.
Fun video. Well done on the succinct format again.
Thanks for the great insight! Love your channel! - DD☮
So much for keeping up w these Jones’s!
Excellent video, thank you
That was amazing. I never knew about this. I heard about the comic strip but didn’t realize it was based on a real family.
Holy moly. This was really really cool. New subscriber. Right on.
There is debate whether "these" Jones were the namesake of the saying. Another set of Jones', namely Pembroke and Sarah with their Airlie residence in Wilmington, NC, 5th Avenue home in New York and Newport Rhode Island mansion are also in contention. It's worth taking a look at Pembroke and Sarah Jones. Their homes and parties were legendary among the United States most wealthy and elite.
That house is a wrap and needs to go and be remembered in pictures and memories
Newly subscribed just 5 seconds ago! 👋. The title of your video drew me in, then the subject matter took me captive. If that wasn't enough, your delivery in this video is exceptional enough to get me subscribed and keep me coming back for more. Thank you 🙂
@ThisHouse
Жыл бұрын
Welcome to This House!
Always educational.
As a Jones I never knew where the saying "Keeping up with the Joneses" came from. Thank you.
Wow! What a history.
This is such great history!
Video was well done, nicely researched, overall a good video, well done.
Thanks this was very interesting. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Great, concise vid!
The workmanship in and out is next level. Amazing that it could be left to decay. This is a nicely done video, Thanks.
Great video!
Really cool to see...well done!!!
Great story, amazing home, and thank you
Great video, thanks for sharing. 😁 I would love to see this house renovated to it's glory... Keeping up with the Joneses for sure 😊
I watch ALL your videos. I always wondered where that phrase originated. Thank YOU SO MUCH for sharing your knowledge. My favorite KZreadr. Oh, the irony in the last statement
Interesting to know where that phrase came from. I sure hope they can save that house. Isn't it amazing how humans, Americans at least, try to impress each other with material wealth.
Oh to live with some means in the NW U.S. in the 1800’s. All that glorious countryside and the fine architecture in still manageable cities.
Temptation's song is Don't let the Joneses get you down! Blessings and Hugs 💖💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕 Listen 👂 to their song!
Well done!
The famous, important late nineteenth/early twentieth century authoress, Edith Wharton, was a Jones.
Fascinating!
I have been to this mansion a few times the most recent time about 3 or 4 years ago. The "developer" did put up some fencing but that had already begun to fall apart. Not much if anything was done to the building. There is nothing but the walls left for the most part. The biggest issue I think is because it's a designated historical land mark you can not just repurpose what's left you'd have to rebuild it which is far to expensive.
5:27 that was interesting! thanks 👍🏾😉
Fantastic video. Oddly enough, I want to find out more about the Finck family. They sound like they came straight out of a beer soaked soap opera!
It's always sad to me when I see a lovely mansion abandoned.
Great video.
Didn't see any cracks in the masonry, and it appears that this house has very good bones. One of our family's mansions still stands at 1009 5th Avenue in New York - directly across the street from the Met. It has recently passed out of Duke hands, but is still there, more beautiful than ever. Another Duke family mansion exists a few blocks away. Other than this crumbling house, did the Joneses leave behind any other significant legacies ? (Other than driving needless consumerism?) We left behind the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation ($1.8 billion) and Duke University. 🤔
@regularity2556
Жыл бұрын
Still comparing I see 🙄🤔
@Austin8thGenTexan
Жыл бұрын
@@regularity2556 Am I beginning to be some sort of trend ? Have no idea what on earth you're talking about... 🤔
Heartbreaking.
My over the street neighbours WERE called Mr and Mrs Jones.
Like most upper-crusty types, that Elizabeth Jones was no great looker!
@CHET1
Жыл бұрын
I think Jay Leno is related to her.
Very. VERY, interesting fact!!!
Nice to learn where the saying originated, thanks!
She cared about her homes and had style…..obviously “some” mine, too!
@annelefevre9457
Жыл бұрын
That’s money, not mine!
Great story thank you.
Interesting.thanks
I learn something new everyday😁
Homes like this are town down to build apartment buildings, More people more money. Just watched a video about Shirley Winters and her home,which now sits next to and across from apartment buildings,she said once she's gone her beautiful home will be town down to build more apartments,it now sits waiting to be town down with art work still on the walls.. Makes me wonder what else will be destroyed inside..
I always wondered how the saying came about thanks
Love the comment someone left in the building saying DIE HERE lol positive dude😂
Interesting 😮
Good One...
I always love to have history put into perspective. It is a shame the house looks so far gone.
As you were describing the social influence that Ms. Jones had with her parties, I had an odd feeling thinking about the book Rebecca and the kind of life someone like her (Rebecca) would have led. Not saying Ms. Jones was like "Rebecca" at all, but I imagined how much work Ms. Jones would have put into that first party to show off the house. It's overwhelming to think of.
I surely hope that they can save this mansion. There is only a finite number of old buildings, and they cannot be duplicated today.
My daughter's last name is Jones. They built a new house, complete with a heated garage and driveway. I always said, "They ARE the Jones'". I had no clue of the origin of this phrase.
BEAUTIFUL 😻 MEANING 😊
The brickwork alone is worth the effort to save. US needs to save more historic homes and life-long lease them at a discount with occasional inspections.
Thanks!
@ThisHouse
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for the Super Thanks! Cheers! -Ken
@eb9089
Жыл бұрын
I wish I could send more Ken. I will as my finances allow. But I personally want to thank you for all of your amazing content and let you know how much I enjoy it. Ed
@ThisHouse
Жыл бұрын
I’m so glad you enjoy these videos! I understand that money is tight for a lot of people right now and I’m incredibly grateful for every bit of support! Outside of Super Thanks and Memberships, leaving a comment and a like are incredibly effective for the algorithm and helping the channel grow. Thank you again, cheers! -Ken
I think as it is, is a good testament to what comes of keeping up with the Joneses 😂😂
Hopefully she can be saved! What a beautiful place it was.
I wish the developer Great luck.