Quest students pose with Mr. Kroplick at the Vanderbilt Museum. On April 27, the 4th and 5th grade Quest students from the Stewart School visited the Vanderbilt Museum, the former estate of William K. Vanderbilt II or "Willie K" as he was known by his friends, on a research mission. The youngsters were gathering information about the Long Island Motor Parkway to prepare an entry for the New York State Archives Contest. Ms. Stephanie Gress, museum curator and Mr. Howard Kroplick, author of Vanderbilt Cup Races of Long Island, and co-author with Mr. Al Velocci of The Long Island Motor Parkway, arranged a scavenger hunt to find the primary documents the students need for their project. One child commented, "It was a special privilege to be allowed into the archives!" Another added, "It made me feel special to put on the gloves and find my envelope with the documents inside!"

After completing the archives activity, Ms. Gress treated the children to a special "behind the scenes" tour of the mansion. Some of the favorite parts of the tour were: the artwork, the ceilings, the furniture, the doors, Willie K's car, the view from Willie K's bedroom, Mrs. Vanderbilt's closet, Mr. Cuocco's dioramas, the exhibit on the lower level, the model of the Willie K's yacht, the Alva, the marble columns, and the huge staircase. One student said, "I felt like Mr. Vanderbilt was there... it was so real!"

Students donned gloves to find documents in the archives. The students would like to thank Mr. Kroplick, Ms. Gress, and Mr. Cuocco for a memorable learning experience at the Vanderbilt Museum!

Smiling students find important information for their project.