#131
Bad Romance: Divorce in the Gilded Age
Throughout history, marriage has functioned as a prerequisite for one's role in an accepted society. However, marriages have also served as business deals, empire-building, and, in some…
Episodes
#130
Cats of the Gilded Age
Many people are curious about which of the famous Gilded Age families (and even those not on Fifth Avenue) had cats as pets -- and the answer may surprise you. Cats nonetheless were…
#129
Devils Always Wear Prada: The Evolution of a Belle Epoque Brand
Founded in Milan in 1913 by the Italian brothers Mario and Martino Prada, the original business focused on producing and selling luxury leather goods to an…
#128
Bachelor Pad: Gilded Age Interior Designers and Their Homes
The late 19th century in America saw the emergence of a new social phenomenon—perhaps not entirely new—a class of young men who chose not to follow…
#127
Body Snatchers! The Stolen Body of A. T. Stewart
On the morning of November 7, 1878, it was discovered that the tomb of wealthy Gilded Age merchant A. T. Stewart had been opened and his body taken. Although…
#126
The Man Who Invented Celebrity Photography
Celebrities ranging from Oscar Wilde and Sarah Bernhardt, to Mark Twain and Walt Whitman all made their way to the top-floor studio in Manhattan's Union Square with its tiny elevator to have their…
The Women Who Saved New York: From the Bowery Boys Archive
As the Gilded Age waned, the Progressive Era took hold with its focus on improving living and working conditions for the average person. New York was a center for…
#125
Stanford White Architect: Perspectives from Great-Grandson Samuel White
Stanford White is one of the most recognizable names of the Gilded Age. Known for his flamboyant grand style and oversized personality, White was one of the largest…
Encore
New York’s Gilded Age Black Elite
Dr. Carla Peterson, author of "Black Gotham: A Family History of African Americans in Nineteenth Century New York," has been a pioneer in uncovering and sharing the story…
#124
Town Topics: Gossip and Scandal in the Gilded Age (coming 2/17)
When Town Topics magazine appeared in the 1880's, Gilded Age New Yorkers enjoyed its coverage of the arts and culture and social scene of balls, opera and grand parties. But…
#123
Mysteries in History with NYT Best Selling Author Fiona Davis
New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis knows about both history and mystery, In her eight novels all set in iconic New York City landmarks in time periods ranging from…
#122
Rediscovering Edith Wharton’s First Book
Many fans of Edith Wharton's great novels, "The Age of Innocence" and "The House of Mirth," may not realize that her very first published book was not a…