I few years ago, I visited Biltmore, the Vanderbilt mansion in Tennessee. It was both luxurious and depressing, except for the bowling alley in the basement and the big balcony on one side, where we were told the family spent most of their time.

Mrs. Vanderbilt took an active interest in the tenant farmers, seeing to it that they got educated and the children learned trades. Present-day descendants live nearby, presumably in a place that's more liveable. Maybe it's a McMansion.