Historian and scholar Connor Williams joins Carl for this look at the Gilded Age retreat of the Adirondacks. Several Gilded Age families came here despite the dusty two-day journey in an attempt to escape the city and recharge in nature. The Gilded Age saw the rise of the “great camps” extensive properties owned by families such as the Vanderbilts… Continue reading Episode #85: The Adirondacks and Great Camp Sagamore: Retreating to Nature in the Gilded Age
Topic: Mansions & Architecture
Episode #84: Hyde Park’s Vanderbilt Mansion: Building a Gilded Age House
Carl is joined by curator Frank Futral for a special on-location visit to the Vanderbilt Mansion in New York’s Hudson Valley. Built for Frederick Vanderbilt and his wife Lousie by the legendary firm McKim, Mead and White, the mansion is a work of art itself combining classic Beaux Arts style with unique and rare architectural elements brought from Europe. … Continue reading Episode #84: Hyde Park’s Vanderbilt Mansion: Building a Gilded Age House
Episode #78: The Edwardian Country House: Elegance and Eccentricity
Join Carl and returning listener favorite British country house historian Curt DiCamillo for a look into the world of the Edwardian country house. Audiences became fascinated by this world through the blockbuster Julian Fellowes series “Downton Abbey” and his earlier film “Gosford Park” with its colliding worlds of upstairs and downstairs and the interlocking social dramas. Curt unveils more of this fascinating period in British… Continue reading Episode #78: The Edwardian Country House: Elegance and Eccentricity
Episode #76: The Hidden World of Gramercy Park: Unlocking History with Keith Taillon
Listener favorite historian Keith Taillon returns to the show for this in-depth look at one of New York City’s most unique and historic enclaves. The small two-acre square known since the 1830s as Gramercy Park has also been called “America’s Bloomsbury”. Taking the reference from London’s famous neighborhood once home to many great writers and artists, New York’s Gramercy Park has similarly included… Continue reading Episode #76: The Hidden World of Gramercy Park: Unlocking History with Keith Taillon
Episode #75: The American Renaissance: Beaux-Arts Architecture in New York City
Carl is joined by noted architect, interior designer and author Phillip James Dodd for an in-depth discussion of the “look” of the Gilded Age — a style known as American Beaux-Arts. Architecture constructed during the height of America’s Gilded Age most certainly had a distinctive look. It was a uniquely American combination of stylistic elements of classical antiquity, the Renaissance palaces of the… Continue reading Episode #75: The American Renaissance: Beaux-Arts Architecture in New York City
Episode #69: The Roeblings: The Family Who Built the Brooklyn Bridge
As a special bonus episode to end the year, enjoy this show from the Bowery Boys archives that traces and explains the Roebling family who — father, son, wife — all contributed significantly to the building of the great 19th-century marvel, the Brooklyn Bridge. Greg and Tom share all the history and include a talk with Kriss Roebling,… Continue reading Episode #69: The Roeblings: The Family Who Built the Brooklyn Bridge
Episode #65: Christmas in Victorian America: City House/Country House
A festive look at how Christmas was celebrated with two real-life 19th-century New York families in both the city and in the country. Christmas traditions evolved over the 19th century combining influences from the days of the Dutch settlers to British practices inspired by the work of Dickens and came to become something truly American. In this special… Continue reading Episode #65: Christmas in Victorian America: City House/Country House
Episode #64: Jay Gould at Home: Life at Lyndhurst Mansion
Financier Jay Gould was one of the most famous and infamous of the Gilded Age robber barons. He was ruthless in his business dealings, tangled with the Vanderbilt for control of the railroads and fought battle after battle on Wall Street. Gould sought respite from New York City with his family at his country home, Lyndhurst Mansion in Tarrytown, a rolling estate where… Continue reading Episode #64: Jay Gould at Home: Life at Lyndhurst Mansion
Episode #59: New York Real Estate: Mansions, Money and Madness
Returning listener favorite, historian Keith Taillon joins Carl for a look at some of New York’s prime real estate in the Gilded Age. This episode looks at some very desirable areas in the late 19th century and early 20th century to build one’s great palace — in some cases it was the owners themselves that created surprising tales of… Continue reading Episode #59: New York Real Estate: Mansions, Money and Madness
Episode #48: Architect of the Gilded Age: The Triumphant Tale of Richard Morris Hunt
A special bonus episode from the Bowery Boys archives! Join Tom and Greg for an in-depth look at the architect that, as some have said, gave the Gilded Age its look. In the years before the great firm of McKim, Mead and White with its star architect Stanford White, another American-born and Paris trained-architect was translating European style… Continue reading Episode #48: Architect of the Gilded Age: The Triumphant Tale of Richard Morris Hunt