Part 8/11:
Landing at its peak in the early 20th century, Shelburne Farms became both a private sanctuary and a demonstration of progressive agricultural practices. It served as a model farm where modern science, conservation, and education intersected. The estate also fostered community engagement, with agricultural experiments, educational programs, and public tours.
However, this golden era was relatively short-lived. The death of William Vanderbilt Jr. in 1926 marked the beginning of the estate’s decline. Lilian continued to summer there for a decade but eventually passed away in 1936, bringing her chapter to a close.