Mrs. Astor’s great arbiter of society was born as Samuel Ward McAllister in 1827 in Savannah, Georgia. His father’s family served with great distinction in various levels of local and national government, and his mother came from a long line of New Englanders. He was a cousin of writer Julia […]
High Bridge
In 1848, the Aqueduct Bridge, as it was officially called, opened across the Harlem River. It was an immediate success, and became a popular curiosity and attraction. People could walk across the top and see spectacular views of New York and surrounding areas. A rendering of a high bridge as […]
In the Course of the Day’s Business: The Real-life History of The Gilded Age in NYC, Season 3 Episode 6
Delmonico’s on 5th Avenue and 44th Street. The Metropolitan Opera House was only a couple of blocks away. From The New Metropolis, Memorable Events of Three Centuries, 1600-1900 by E. Idell Zeisloft. Delmonico’s Restaurant This storied New York City institution has its origins in a small cafe on William Street run […]
Day Has Got to Break Some Time: The Real-life History of The Gilded Age in NYC, Season 3 Episode 5
Scenes among the spectators at the Polo Grounds, 1885. Baseball was becoming so popular that people would crowd around the park, sitting on carriages and climbing trees to get a view of the action. From Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper May 25, 1885, Vol 60 Iss 1548. Baseball and Black Baseball […]
What is the Use of Struggling?: The Real-life History of The Gilded Age in NYC, Season 3 Episode 4
The lavish Vanderbilt-Marlborough wedding ceremony in the Church of St. Thomas. From The Illustrated London News, November 23, 1895. Bridesmaids wearing white The bridesmaids dresses worn at the Vanderbilt-Marlborough wedding, seen on the front cover of Vogue, 1895. They were white with blue accents. The wedding of Caroline Astor to […]
The New York City Draft Riots, July 1863
Burning of the Colored Orphan Asylum on the first day of the Draft Riots. The Mob in New-York First page of the New York Times, Tuesday July 14, 1863. A depiction by a British reporter of the fire set at the Provost Marshal’s Office. The Ninth District Headquarters was located […]
We Don’t Pretend to Style: The Real-life History of The Gilded Age in NYC, Season 3 Episode 3
Much of this week’s episode involves the comings-and-goings of characters in Newport, which is both a refreshing change of scenery and a fascinating, much-needed look at Black society during the era. Back in New York City, as always, there are a few intriguing details that remind one of city history, […]
On the Contrary, I am Quite Sincere: The Real-life History of The Gilded Age in NYC, Season 3 Episode 2
Much of the joy that comes from watching The Gilded Age involves figuring out which actual historical events provide the background to the intrigue and drama that surround the characters. Sometimes this comes in the form of a pithy remark, and other times it fills up the screen, but no […]
A Vanity and a Burden: The Real-life History of The Gilded Age in NYC, Season 3 Episode 1
If you’re not yet watching the fabulous, fascinating, sometimes frivolous, and always fashion-forward The Gilded Age, please let this be your excuse to do so. Now in its third season streaming on HBO, the show features an incredible ensemble cast, and covers a lot of great real-life New York City […]
The Morris-Jumel Mansion
The oldest house still standing on Manhattan, the Morris-Jumel mansion has an illustrious history, from its earliest days as a country estate commanding the heights, to serving as General George Washington’s headquarters from mid-September to mid-October 1776. The mansion was confiscated by the Americans and transformed into a tavern after […]