In the spirit of Taylor Swift’s 34th birthday today, we’re translating the lyrics of her folklore hit “The Last Great American Dynasty” the best way we know how, with an edit (obviously!) of beautiful, eccentric things to help you channel your inner Rebekah West Harkness and her Holiday House. Harkness was indeed a real person and a socialite at that. She married William Hale “Bill” Harkness, whose family did indeed start Standard Oil, and the two owned the Watch Hill home, known as Holiday House—which Swift purchased in 2013 for $17.75 million (in cash) and is the locale for her famous Fourth of July parties.
The feminist anthem “The Last Great American Dynasty” chronicles Mrs. Harkness’s love for life and disrupting the neighborhood with loud parties, filling the pool with Champagne, hosting artists like Salvador Dali, and more. What other inspiration could one ask for?
