Emily Vanderbilt Sloane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Emily Vanderbilt Sloane
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| Born | September 17, 1874 |
| Died | February 22, 1970 (aged 95) 136 East 64th Street
Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States |
| Resting place | Vanderbilt Family Mausoleum, Staten Island, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Heiress, author, philanthropist |
| Spouse(s) | John Henry Hammond |
| Children | Adele Sloane Hammond Alice Frances Hammond Rachel Hammond John Henry Hammond II |
| Parent(s) | Emily Thorn Vanderbilt William Douglas Sloane |
| Relatives | See Vanderbilt family |
Emily Vanderbilt Sloane Hammond (born September 17, 1874 – died February 22, 1970) was an author, someone who loved helping others (a philanthropist), and a well-known person in society. She belonged to the famous Vanderbilt family. She was also the mother of the well-known music producer, John Hammond. Emily loved music and led many groups that helped people.
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Early Life and Interests
Emily Vanderbilt Sloane was born on September 17, 1874. Her parents were Emily Thorn Vanderbilt and William Douglas Sloane. Her grandfather was William Henry Vanderbilt, a very famous and wealthy person.
She grew up in New York City. During the summers, she stayed at Elm Court in Lenox, Massachusetts. This was a huge house built in a special style.
Emily was not interested in the usual social events for young women her age. She preferred playing the piano at Sunday school. She was very interested in religion. She even gave small talks about faith to her brothers and sisters. As an adult, she often went to the opera and public lectures.
Helping Others (Philanthropy)
Emily Vanderbilt Sloane loved to give money to good causes. She supported Martha Berry, who was an educationalist. Emily gave a lot of money to Berry College. Letters between the two women were later shared with the public.
One of her main projects was helping to restore the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site. This was the house where President Theodore Roosevelt was born. For many years, she was the president of the Women's Roosevelt Memorial Association.
Emily also led other groups. She was president of the Home Thrift Association, which helped a community center in New York. For 43 years, she was president of the Three Arts Club. This club provided a home for women studying music, painting, and drama. In 1914, she helped start the Parents' League of New York. She later became its president. She also led the Peoples' Chorus of New York and was a commissioner for the Girl Scouts in Westchester County.
After her husband passed away in 1949, she donated their large 277-acre estate. This estate, called Dellwood, was located in Mount Kisco. She gave it to the Moral Rearmament movement.
Her Home
Emily's parents hired a famous architectural firm to design a mansion for her and her husband. This house was at 9 East 91st Street. It was built on land bought from Andrew Carnegie. The house became known as the John Henry Hammond House. Today, this house has been restored and is the Consulate General of the Russian Federation.
The large rooms on the second floor were perfect for parties. These rooms included a ballroom, a library, and a music room. They could easily hold three hundred guests for concerts. Emily often played the piano at these concerts. Her son, John Hammond, Jr., would play the violin or viola. Many famous jazz musicians, like Benny Goodman, played in their home. Emily's daughter, Rachel Hammond Breck, remembered that her mother's parties did not last very long. This was mainly because Emily refused to serve alcohol.
Family Life
On April 5, 1899, Emily married John Henry Hammond I. Their wedding took place at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church. John was the brother of Ogden H. Hammond, who became a U.S. Ambassador to Spain.
Emily and John had four children together:
- Adele Sloane Hammond (1902–1998)
- Alice Frances Hammond (1905–1978)
- Rachel Hammond (1908–2007)
- John Henry Hammond II (1910–1987)
John Henry Hammond I passed away in 1949. Emily died on February 22, 1970, at her home. She was 95 years old.
Notable Family Members
Her son, John Henry Hammond, became a very important person in jazz music. He was a famous record producer. Emily's grandson, John P. Hammond, is a blues singer and guitarist. Her daughter, Alice Frances Hammond, married the famous jazz musician Benny Goodman. Another daughter, Adele Hammond, is the grandmother of the actor Timothy Olyphant.
