--- title: How to Vacation Like a Rockefeller description: See photos from the Rockefeller family estate in Seal Harbor, Maine, complete with 1931 Model A Ford and private oceanside tennis courts. canonical: https://time.com/3966939/rockefeller-vacation-1958/ author: Eliza Berman article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2015-07-31T12:00:56.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-05-11T05:02:22.426Z og:title: How to Vacation Like a Rockefeller og:description: See photos from the Rockefeller family estate in Seal Harbor, Maine, complete with 1931 Model A Ford and private oceanside tennis courts. og:url: https://time.com/3966939/rockefeller-vacation-1958/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt6caa4a7d4a9271c4/69885be035ba6ff1d6c0e496/150721-rockefellers-08.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: Nelson Rockefeller family on vacation in 1958 og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: How to Vacation Like a Rockefeller twitter:description: See photos from the Rockefeller family estate in Seal Harbor, Maine, complete with 1931 Model A Ford and private oceanside tennis courts. twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt6caa4a7d4a9271c4/69885be035ba6ff1d6c0e496/150721-rockefellers-08.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # How to Vacation Like a Rockefeller  by [Eliza Berman](https://time.com/author/eliza-berman/)  ## Eliza Berman Berman is a senior editor at TIME. Jul 31, 2015 12:00 PM UTC  Ensure that at least one person on the sailboat knows how to sail. Ensure that at least one person on the sailboat knows how to sail.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  by [Eliza Berman](https://time.com/author/eliza-berman/)  ## Eliza Berman Berman is a senior editor at TIME. Jul 31, 2015 12:00 PM UTC When the question is how to vacation like a Rockefeller, the quick answer is to rewind history to about 1870 and found the largest oil refinery in the world. Short of that impossible task, however, it’s possible to take some hints from these photographs of Nelson Rockefeller and his family on vacation in Seal Harbor, Maine, in 1958. The images by Alfred Eisenstaedt accompanied a story about that year’s New York state gubernatorial election, in which voters faced a “Choice of Millionaires.” Rockefeller, who would go on to unseat W. Averell Harriman, was on vacation at his family’s estate near Acadia National Park—a park that, thanks to the family’s commitment to philanthropy and conservation, exists largely due to Nelson’s father, John. When planning your own Rockefeller-inspired vacation, be sure to dress your family in collars and cardigans, polish the 1931 convertible Model A Ford, check that everything’s shipshape on the sailboat and lay down new clay on your private oceanside tennis courts. Oh, and bring along one of LIFE Magazine’s most famous photographers to document it for posterity. _Liz Ronk, who edited this gallery, is the Photo Editor for LIFE.com. Follow her on Twitter_ [_@lizabethronk_](https://twitter.com/LizabethRonk)_._  Polish the 1931 Model A Ford. Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Check the convertible cover in case of rain. Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Ensure that even the youngest family members adhere to the unofficial dress code of collared shirts. Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Build a pool with ocean views. Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Pose for treasured family photos. Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Get the sails ready for the open waters. Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Wait for a nice and windy day to take out the boats. Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Ensure that at least one person on the sailboat knows how to sail. Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Get tennis rackets restrung for games on the private courts. Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Ensure clay courts are swept and ready for a game. Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Engage in family pastimes that bring generations together. Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Ensure that grounds are well manicured and decorated. Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Bring along a famous LIFE photographer to document lazy summer days. Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Make time for oceanside chats in the salty, fresh air. 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