Latest news with #GildedAge
Business Insider
a day ago
- Business
- Business Insider
See inside a New York City townhouse built during the Gilded Age for JP Morgan's cousin that just sold for $38.2 million
A Gilded Age townhouse in New York City sold for over $38.2 million in June. The home was built in 1896 for JP Morgan's cousin and business partner, James J. Goodwin. It features 22 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms and spans around 24,000 square feet. Only a few Gilded Age mansions are still standing in New York City. Some have been repurposed as museums, but much of Millionaires' Row was torn down to make way for New York City's rapid growth. One of these rare remaining Gilded Age properties, a 24,000-square-foot townhouse built by JP Morgan's cousin, was sold by Patricia Vance and Sandra Ripert of Douglas Elliman in June for over $38.2 million. The property was originally listed for $49.5 million. Before that, real estate developer Orin Wilf purchased it for $55 million in 2019, the New York Post reported. JP Morgan was one of the most powerful figures of the Gilded Age, a Wall Street financier and railroad tycoon who founded JPMorgan & Co. and shaped America's industrial economy. His cousin, James J. Goodwin, made a fortune as his business partner and built himself a mansion on West 54th Street in 1896, though his primary residence was in Connecticut. Goodwin left an estate of $6.2 million when he died in 1915, The New York Times reported at the time — the equivalent of about $197.3 million in 2025, when adjusted for inflation. His mansion, which has retained many of its gilded touches, remains an impressive symbol of wealth. Take a look inside his former home at West 54th Street. Located in Midtown Manhattan, the townhouse was built in 1896 for James J. Goodwin, JP Morgan's cousin and business partner. The home was built by the architectural firm McKim, Mead and White, which also designed New York landmarks such as the Brooklyn Museum, Low Library at Columbia University, and the original Penn Station. The five-story townhouse is located across from the Museum of Modern Art. The home, which features a limestone and brick exterior, looks out into the MoMA's sculpture garden. The entry gallery on the first floor features wood paneling throughout. The entry gallery also includes one of the townhouse's 12 fireplaces. Neo-Georgian architectural touches include columns and decorative molding known as cornices. Two staircases lead to the upper floors. The townhouse also has an elevator and a dumbwaiter, which was used to bring food up from the kitchen. Both of the grand staircases are lit through original stained-glass skylights. Rooms on the upper floors feature floor-to-ceiling windows and Juliet balconies. The property also features a glass conservatory, which overlooks the garden. The dining room is shaped like an octagon. A butler's pantry, where staff would plate and prepare meals for service, adjoins the dining room. The libraries, reception rooms, and parlors have retained their Gilded Age opulence with decorated walls and ceilings.
New York Post
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
A rare Gilded Age home in NYC will list for $13.9M
A wonderfully preserved Gilded Age mansion is poised to hit the market for $13.9 million as the glamorous homes from that period of time are back in the spotlight. The grand 19th-century limestone residence is at 57 E. 74th St., between Park and Madison avenues. It's one of seven on the historic block designed by noted architects Buchman and Deisler. The listing comes as the buzzy third season of HBO's 'The Gilded Age' is underway, which has created renewed interest in the lavish dwellings where the wealthy resided during that period. It also fortuitously enters the market as a number of city homes from the Gilded Age have recently listed or sold, such as the Stanford White-designed 973 Fifth Ave., which traded hands for $46 million. Advertisement However, despite the sum of these kinds of properties that have made recent waves on the residential market, they're still a rare breed of home to own. 9 The dramatic ceilings are a statement when entertaining. Brown Harris Stevens 9 A fireplace warms the formal dining room in colder months. Brown Harris Stevens 9 The residence is massive, and has plenty of room for entertaining guests. Brown Harris Stevens Advertisement 9 As it currently stands, the home is elegantly decorated. Brown Harris Stevens Built in 1898, this five-story home features an ornate iron grille door. It was once owned by the Broadway producer and television pioneer Joseph Cates. The present seller has owned it since 1990, when he bought it for $3.4 million from Cates. At a sprawling 8,200 square feet, the seven-bedroom, 6.5-bath property comes with nine fireplaces, two terraces and two wine cellars. The residence opens to an entry level with a grand foyer featuring oak wainscoting, plastered ceilings and inlaid wood floors. Advertisement 9 The sunny kitchen. Brown Harris Stevens 9 Original stairs connect the levels. Brown Harris Stevens 9 This large bedroom boasts a sitting area and fireplace. Brown Harris Stevens Advertisement 9 There's space for a kids' room. Brown Harris Stevens 9 A home office is bathed in a modern color. Brown Harris Stevens The parlor level has 12-foot ceilings, detailed moldings and a central gallery for large-scale entertaining. There are also formal living and dining rooms with fireplaces, and a large eat-in chef's kitchen and a galley prep space. For its part, the basement level includes a laundry area and a home gym. The listing broker is Joyce Sheena, of Brown Harris Stevens.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Guests can experience Gilded Age glamour inside New York City's historic Fifth Avenue Hotel
Stepping into Manhattan's Fifth Avenue Hotel feels like going back in time into the Gilded Age, which has been all the rage lately thanks to the HBO Max show of the same name. The Gilded Age was produced by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, and the period drama has been a hit with viewers who describe the show as Gossip Girl in corsets. Fellowes, who's behind Downton Abbey and Belgravia, is now focused on the fight between new and old money Manhattanites in the 1880s. The torrid lives of America's wealthiest dynasties are suddenly a hot topic once again, with dynasties like the Astors, Roosevelts, Vanderbilts, Carnegies and Rockefellers, on full display. The award-winning show follows fish out of water Marian Brook (played by Meryl Streep 's daughter Louisa Jacobson Gummer) as she moves from Pennsylvania to New York to live with her wealthy aunts Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) and Ada Brook (Cynthia Nixon). Viewers aren't just taken in by the characters, they're equally invested in the people living the ultra-wealthy lifestyles during that era in Fifth Avenue mansions. While many of the palatial homes were demolished in the 1920s - later to be replaced with Zara, Nike, and Bergdorf Goodman - some still stand tall. Now, history buffs and fans of the show, can experience their very own Gilded Age vacation thanks to The Fifth Avenue Hotel, which is housed inside of a 19th century NoMad mansion. The Fifth Avenue Hotel is just as opulent as the homes featured on the show, from the elegant yet cozy lobby to the perfectly over-the-top, eclectic décor in both the rooms and pink hallways. The expertly restored property is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, which is a collection of the most unique independent hotels across the globe, highlighting chic, distinct travel experiences - and this former gilded age mansion certainly stands out. Visitors are given their very own butler who introduces themselves at the beginning of the trip can help them with anything from pressing clothing to hiring a personal photographer. The suites not only have colorful chandeliers, they also boast well-stocked complimentary mini-bars and housekeeping twice a day. The concierge experience is just as luxurious, as they offer reservations at the hottest restaurants in town (it's like you're getting access to your very own opera box). The memorable touches, like bone-inlaid tables and tiger-striped rugs, are thanks to Stockholm-born designer Martin Brudnizki, who's famous for paying tribute to the past and present. The cozy, oversize suites full of colorful, bold designs stand out in a city known for its shoebox size, cookie cutter hotel rooms. Guests might want to take some of the décor home, but it's all one-of-a-kind. Even the restaurant, Café Carmellini, is majestic, with live trees, stunning chandeliers, Art Deco mirrors and blue velvet seating. Diners can imagine the space as a ballroom with guests dancing down below and gossiping up above. The Italian and French restaurant's chef Andrew Carmellini is also behind downtown hot spots Locanda Verde, Lafayette, and the Dutch. The hotel also houses The Portrait Bar, which went viral on TikTok as a date night destination. The intimate cocktail lounge is fittingly covered in photos, paintings, and drawings, as diners sip cocktails described with tongue-in cheek descriptors, like 'not a margarita for margarita drinkers.' The original five-story limestone and brick building was owned by socialite Charlotte Goodridge, who commissioned the original construction in 1856. Then, in 1907, it was redesigned as a bank by landmark architecture firm McKim, Mead & White, who were also behind the Brooklyn Museum and the original Penn Station and designed many houses in Newport, Rhode Island. In fact, they have been credited with defining the signature look of Gilded Age America. Hotel founder Alex Ohebshalom's family bought the building in the 1970s and he focused on restoring the landmark and bringing it back to its glory for its opening in 2023. The hotel is at the intersection of 28th Street and Fifth Avenue, which makes it perfect for tourists eager to visit places like Madison Square Park and the Empire State. It's also walking distance from The Morgan Library & Museum, another must for history devotees. The museum and research library started as the personal library of financier Pierpont Morgan and now houses impressively rare manuscripts. The hotel is so Gilded Age-coded that members of the cast recently fittingly posed for a New York Times photoshoot inside the lavish rooms, which start at $895 per night. Mrs. Astor would surely approve.
Elle
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
Things Are Not Looking Good for George and Bertha in 'The Gilded Age' This Week
Spoilers below. George Russell has had enough. For the first time on The Gilded Age, the railroad business is not bending to the robber baron's will. George's personal life is equally fraught as he can't get over breaking his promise to Gladys that she could marry for love. The latter was a great victory for his wife, Bertha, but even she cannot enjoy the spoils of this win. Someone on their staff is still leaking titillating stories to the newspapers about the Russells. If word spreads that Bertha and George's rift is growing, it will be a massive coup for the tabloids. Meanwhile, in England, Gladys is adjusting to life as a duchess, but Hector's sister, Lady Sarah, is still behaving like she rules the Sidmouth Castle roost. Luckily, not all the Russells are suffering in love, as Larry finally pops the question to Marian. He also runs into a blast from Oscar's past at a surprising location. Peggy, too, has an awkward encounter with a former flame. In Newport, Mrs. Astor attempts to deflect from her daughter's scandal by scapegoating Aurora Fane, and with that, the Gilded Age gossip machine is thriving. Rich in land but poor in cash sums up Hector's situation, and Gladys is stunned by how big the Sidmouth estate is. After getting a rousing welcome from the duke's tenants, Gladys endures a series of humiliations from Lady Sarah. During the guided tour of the home, which has been in their family since 1612, Lady Sarah mocks Gladys for being confused about why they need mousetraps in their home (though Gladys has a point), makes fun of her John Singer Sargent painting, and implies that Gladys has no say about any renovations. It gets worse at Gladys's first dinner with Hector and his friends: Lady Sarah scolds Gladys in front of everyone for choosing to wear diamond stars in her hair instead of a tiara. Gladys makes the mistake of saying Adelheid suggested the accessory (which is stunning, by the way), and Lady Sarah takes the opportunity to fire Adelheid for not meeting the Sidmouth standards. At dinner, Lady Sarah further belittles and undermines her new sister-in-law. Last week, I floated the idea that there could be something untoward going on between Lady Sarah and her brother, but this week confirms she is just a control freak. When Gladys reacts angrily to Adelheid's dismissal, Hector gently admonishes his sister. After all, marrying a 'Yankee heiress' to save the family estate was Lady Sarah's idea. Be careful what you wish for. Unknown to her new husband or his overbearing sister, Gladys writes a letter home to her parents. Maybe Lady Sarah will regret her lack of hospitality. The mood is light and flirty at a baseball game Peggy attends with Dr. William Kirkland. But the vibe shifts when Peggy spots her former newspaper boss, T. Thomas Fortune (Sullivan Jones), in the crowd. Last season, Peggy kissed the married editor, stopping the relationship before it went further. Now, Fortune has another assignment for Peggy to interview suffragette Frances Ellen Watkins Harper in Philadelphia. Despite their bubbling tension, it's too good an opportunity to pass up. However, Marian is concerned that Fortune is back on the scene. Peggy ensures she knows what she is doing in a conversation that occurs in front of Agnes, who is unaware of Peggy's former fling, so it is full of half-sentences, double meanings, and raised eyebrows. Both Marian and Peggy know precisely what the other is thinking, while Agnes believes it is an excellent career opportunity and can't understand why Marian is being so cautious. Marian's concern is warranted. When William takes Peggy to the train station, they find Fortune waiting for her. He wants to accompany Peggy on the assignment, which was not part of the deal. Peggy says she will only go if she can travel alone. Fortune acts like an entitled jerk during the exchange, shoving William to assert his authority. Finally, a sheepish Fortune agrees that Peggy will go alone. There isn't much time before the train leaves, with Peggy saying she will explain her whole story to William when she gets back. George's business woes boil down to still not having enough shares in the Illinois Central Line or the land in Morenci, Arizona—he needs both to make his cross-country line happen. George blames his business secretary Clay (Patrick Page) for this failing and is unhappy when Clay points out that the Russell empire is in a terrible financial position. George fires Clay for not being able to achieve the impossible—and probably for answering back too. George takes another approach, asking Bertha to charm Mr. Merrick (Paul Alexander Nolan), who is the key to the Illinois Central Line share issue. Unfortunately, George is agitated at dinner when Bertha is buttering up Merrick. I don't think he would react this angrily if he had closed the deal, but Merrick has zero desire to sell his shares and is certain his brother will feel the same way. George tells Bertha he felt like a cuckold at his own table, and she fires back that he is the one who can't close the deal. Once again, any sense of unity is shattered. The following day, the pair gets into another fight. I miss the power couple being on the same page. Bertha is also struggling with employees, but in her case, doesn't know who needs to be dismissed. The gossip leaks continue, meaning it can't be Adelheid (whom I suspected last week) because she is in England. Church says he will get to the bottom of it, seeking advice from enemy-turned-confidant Bannister. The neighboring butler says the last person hired is most likely to leak, which is not as helpful as it could be, as the Russells have hired multiple new people recently. One person earning praise from George is Larry. He is so impressed with the investment Larry made in Jack's clock (and subsequent huge sale) that he wants to send his son to Morenci to do what Clay could not. Larry asks for the mine reports that George believes have no value. Considering how many times the lack of profit from these mines is mentioned, I suspect they aren't as worthless as George believes—or something in the mines will prove fruitful. Larry is reluctant to go because he doesn't want to be away from Marian for an entire month. He tells his father that today is the day he will propose. 'You've chosen well. I'm pleased,' says George. Larry worries that Bertha will feel differently, but George will not let Bertha get in the way of another love match. During a stroll through the park, Larry tells Marian about the clock sale, which is news to her. Larry is surprised that Jack has been keeping it secret. But Larry has more on his mind than alarm clock fortunes, whisking Marian into a secluded area where he gets down on one knee. None of Marian's previous doubts bubble to the surface when she immediately says yes. Reactions from Ada and Agnes are as expected: Ada is ecstatic, Agnes struggles not to say anything cutting. Marian mentions Jack's good news, which Agnes also takes as a slight. Just wait until she finds out that Jack is wealthier than his current and former mistresses. Agnes tasks Bannister with finding out the figure, but the news is already spreading downstairs. Ada has other matters to keep her occupied that lead to a little lie. She tells Agnes she is going to a temperance meeting, when in reality, she is visiting medium Madame Dashkova. During this reading, Ada gets to 'speak' to Luke, offering some closure. Afterward, Ada tells Agnes that she will begin to wear half-mourning clothes. At the Russells, the reactions to Larry and Marian's big news are as mixed as they were at the Fortes. George is thrilled, while Bertha has to put on her best fake smile because she was not privy to her son's decision until after the fact. Agnes would hate to admit it, but she shares a lot in common with Bertha. Or at least she does when it comes to this news. Marian is disappointed that she can't spend the evening with her new fiancé the night before he goes away, as Larry is already committed to a gentleman-only dinner at Delmonico's. The occasion? A bachelor party of sorts, as his roommate from Harvard is about to get married. Now, unless they skipped showing the dinner part, it seems that Larry has lied to Marian about his plans. Larry is celebrating his college roommate's upcoming nuptials, but at a less reputable establishment called The Haymarket. The infamous New York City nightclub has been compared to the Moulin Rouge, shuttering its doors for good in 1911 after being a hotbed of vice. 'It's anything you want it to be!' Larry says like he is the emcee from Cabaret to a wide-eyed Jack. Yep, Jack is part of the crew for the night. He's getting to experience the kind of life money can buy with Larry pointing out the women or men (if he fancies) who are available, some for a price. While the groom-to-be is interested in what is being offered, Larry isn't partaking in anything that will upset Marian (well, besides not telling her his actual plans). At one point, from across the room, Larry thinks he has seen a person of interest. 'Are you Maude Beaton?' he asks a woman working the club. She claims her name is Dolly Trent, but there is no fooling Larry, who knows this is the same Maude (Nicole Brydon Bloom) who conned Oscar out of his family fortune. After saying farewell to Marian the following day, Larry catches up with Oscar to let him know about seeing Maude at The Haymarket, making it clear she was working. Over dinner, Oscar updates John Adams and comes to the consensus that she no longer has the money she stole from Oscar. Still, Oscar wants answers, though John points out that they were both deceiving each other, albeit for very different reasons. John thinks Oscar doesn't need to get revenge, as Maude's current circumstance is punishment enough. In Newport, Aurora is excited to see the newly engaged Marian and attend Mrs. Fish's luncheon with her. Aurora's high society exile hasn't reached her summer Newport schedule, but that changes when Mrs. Astor shows up to the luncheon. Mrs. Fish thought Mrs. Astor would still be too busy handling the fallout from her daughter Charlotte's scandal to show up. But because she is present, Aurora gets the cold shoulder from women who will do whatever Mrs. Astor tells them. The divorce stain on Aurora's reputation has officially reached these shores. Aurora tells Marian that while she will get the houses in the divorce, their friends and the life they lived will belong to Charles. Even though Aurora did nothing wrong, she will be punished for her husband's infidelity. Having reached a new echelon of society means Bertha can follow her own path. Not only does she talk to Aurora, but she tells Mrs. Fish she will accompany Aurora home. Mrs. Fish is aghast as Bertha is the main patron of this gathering, so Marian volunteers to leave instead. After lunch, Mrs. Fish tells Mrs. Astor that she has to decide if she is willing to exile Charlotte, as it would be unfair to treat her differently than every other divorcée. It was good to see Bertha stick up for Aurora, but back at home she has another crisis. George has the letter Gladys wrote, which he thinks proves how right he was to oppose this marriage. 'You make me weak and I find that hard to forgive,' George tells Bertha. She replies that she will go to England to fix it. George, however, can't promise he will be home when she returns. Bertha finally achieved her dreams of nobility by marrying off her daughter, but it might turn into a nightmare if her own marriage discord continues.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Here's Where To Find The Gilded Age Across The United States
The Rhode Island destination of Newport is directly linked to the Gilded Age, as wealthy families ... More built summer estates there. Fans of the HBO Max series, 'The Gilded Age,' are given glimpses into what New York looked like during this extravagant and innovative era. However, other parts of the United States have their respective ties to the Gilded Age and remaining buildings dating from this area. Here is where to find The Gilded Age across the United States. The Marble House was used in the filming of the HBO Max series, "The Gilded Age." Show is the home's ... More Gold Room. Newport Mansions, Rhode Island Newport is heavily associated with the Gilded Age, as wealthy families owned summer retreats in this coastal community. Various scenes from the HBO Max show were filmed throughout the Newport Mansions, a collection of timeless estates where notably wealthy families headed to. This collection of mansions turned museums include The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms, Rosecliff, Chateau-sur-Mer and Hunter House. At the Marble House, the bedroom of real-life Consuelo Vanderbilt was used as the one for the fictional George Russell, and the bedroom of the real-life Alva Vanderbilt was used for his wife, Bertha Russell. In its current season, Peggy Scott and Dr. William Kirkland are depicted strolling on the Cliff Walk, a popular Newport location. The International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport is also featured in "The Gilded Age." Other Newport spots include the International Tennis Hall of Fame, which is situated within the Newport Casino and was shown in the HBO Max TV series. The casino was first opened in 1880 as a social club for Newport's Gilded Age summer elite. Learn more about this legacy through Inside 'The Gilded Age' Tours, which is offered of The Mansions on Fridays and Tuesdays from August 15 through September 30. Purchase tickets in advance. Feel like a Vanderbilt at Hotel Viking, once a hotspot for wealthy guests. Also, The Vanderbilt (Auberge Resorts Collection) is a Gilded Age estate converted into a hotel still conveying the "gilded" vibe. Chicago, Illinois The Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel was originally built extravagant wedding gift from Hotelier Potter ... More Palmer to his wife, Bertha Honoré Palmer. The Windy City made its architectural mark amid the Gilded Age. The Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel initially began as an extravagant wedding gift from Hotelier Potter Palmer to his wife, Bertha Honoré Palmer. The property was destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire 13 days after its grand opening, and Palmer spent the next several years rebuilding the hotel. It reopened on November 8, 1873. The Palmer House had hospitality 'firsts' of the time –incorporating an elevator and lightbulbs and telephones in guestrooms. Now a National Historic Landmark, the John J. Glessner House was a radical departure from traditional Victorian architecture. It served as a source of inspiration for some of the greatest architects of all time, including Louis Sullivan, Mies van der Rohe and a young Frank Lloyd Wright. You can tour the Glessner House from coach house to courtyard and more than 16 family and servant spaces. The Richard H. Driehaus Museum refers to the Chicago philanthropist who converted this former ... More mansion into a museum. The Richard H. Driehaus Museum is named for the Chicago philanthropist who restored the mansion to its Gilded Age splendor and converted it into a museum to preserve its legacy. Originally completed in 1883, for banker Samuel Mayo Nickerson, the house turned museum explores the art, architecture and design of the Gilded Age period and is open for guided tours and special exhibits. The Rookery Building was once one of the tallest buildings in the world. Designed by the firm of Burnham and Root, it was an engineering marvel at the time. Architect John Wellborn Root devised a 'grillage foundation'—iron rails laid in a crisscross pattern and encased in concrete that supported the building's immense weight.) The building's Light Court lobby is open to the public or book a tour with The Frank Lloyd Wright Trust. Arbor Lodge State Historical Park, Nebraska City The Arbor Lodge Mansion at Arbor Lodge State Historical Park in Nebraska City is where Arbor Day was ... More created. The centerpiece of this 72-acre park is the Arbor Lodge Mansion, the Morton family's original home. In the late 19th century, Nebraska's largely treeless grasslands inspired Morton Salt Company founder J. Sterling Morton to advocate for mass afforestation, an effort that led to the first Arbor Day in 1872. With 52 rooms and a vast collection of period artifacts, the mansion tells the story of how one family's vision helped spark a nationwide conservation movement. The surrounding grounds feature an arboretum, Italian terraced garden, walking trails, a whispering bench, over 200 varieties of lilacs, a historic log cabin and a carriage house. The Arcade and other venues, Cleveland, Ohio The Arcade in Cleveland was America's first indoor shopping center. Cleveland was quietly forging its own empire of industry, innovation and wealth during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The city emerged as a powerhouse of steel, oil, shipping and finance - home to tycoons like John D. Rockefeller, Marcus Hanna, Amasa Stone and Samuel Mather. Opened in 1890, at a cost of about $875,000, The Arcade was America's first indoor shopping center, modeled after Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. After its conversion into a boutique hotel and shops, it remains a lavish Gilded Age landmark open to the public. Founded in 1872 by 81 Cleveland leaders, The Union Club of Cleveland became a hub for social, cultural and civic life. It boasted members like Presidents Grant, Hayes, Garfield, McKinley and Taft. It remains active today and periodically opens its historic Euclid Avenue quarters for events and tours. Cleveland's Euclid Avenue was known as Millionaires' Row—the 'Showplace of America'—lined with grand mansions of industrial titans. Rising taxes and development in the early 20th century pushed these families to the suburbs, and many homes were demolished by the 1950s. Today, only a few survive, including the Brush mansion at Cleveland State University, with markers helping visitors imagine the original boulevard. The interior of the Wade Memorial Chapel at the Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland was designed by ... More Louis Comfort Tiffany. Established in 1869, Lake View Cemetery is one of the finest remaining examples of a Victorian garden cemetery in the United States. Its winding roadways, landscaped settings and ornate mausoleums complement its role as the final resting place of figures like Rockefeller, Garrett Morgan and Leonard Hanna. Its centerpiece is the James A. Garfield Memorial, in addition to the Wade Memorial Chapel. Built in 1901 to honor Jeptha H. Wade, philanthropist and founder of the Western Union Telegraph Company, the chapel's interior was designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Lake Geneva, Wisconsin The Black Point Estate and Gardens is a reminder of Lake Geneva's relation to the Gilded Age. This resort town in southern Wisconsin rose to prominence in the late 19th century as a Gilded Age lakeside retreat for magnates of business and industry in Chicago. The Wrigleys, Wackers, Chapins, Drakes and Schwinns are among many wealthy families who built lavish summer mansions on the lake. More than 100 of these homes still remain and can be viewed on boat tours. A 21-mile walking path circles the lake, providing a closeup look these historic estates. Another way to experience this period in Lake Geneva is at Black Point Estate and Gardens, built by Chicago beer baron Conrad Seipp in 1888 as a family getaway. Today's guests arrive at Black Point by boat, just as the family did in a bygone era. Jekyll Island, Georgia The Jekyll Island Club Resort in Georgia is where wealthy families came during winter months. Jekyll Island's connection to the Gilded Age is as the location of the Jekyll Island Club, a winter retreat for some of America's wealthiest families. Up until World War II, the island served as a haven for the likes of the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, and Pulitzers, who built lavish "cottages" there. Today, the property is known as the Jekyll Island Club Resort, which still holds these cottages. Walk around the National Landmark Historic District or go on a Landmark Trolley Tour of this district that includes entry into a historic cottage. Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, Palm Beach, Florida The Henry Morrison Flagler Museum in Florida was the winter residence of the man who modernized ... More Florida. Henry Morrison Flagler, an industrialist and a founding partner of Standard Oil, is credited as 'Father of Modern Florida' with making the Sunshine State a major destination. In the late 19th century, Flagler built resort hotels from Jacksonville to Miami and the Florida Keys, linked by his Florida East Coast Railway. His namesake museum was originally built as Whitehall, a winter home for him and his wife, Mary Lily Kenan Flagler. The couple resided here from 1902 until Henry's death in 1913. Flagler's influence can still be felt in downtown St. Augustine. A free Flagler's Gilded Age Tour, led by period costumed figures, tells stories of when the city became a playground for the rich and famous. St. Augustine is the location for his final resting place, the Flagler Mausoleum. Other related sights include the former Hotel Ponce de Leon, now Flagler College, and the former Alcazar Hotel that's now Lightner Museum and St. Augustine City Hall. Learn more through Flagler College Legacy Tours. Frick Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Clayton, the home of Henry Clay Frick, is included in the Frick Pittsburgh complex. Pittsburgh during the Gilded Age was fueled by the industries of steel, coal and oil and the rise of industrialists Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick. Frick Pittsburgh is a five-acre complex of museums and landscaped grounds, which includes Clayton, the home of Henry Clay Frick. Frick lived here from 1882 to 1905 and be sure to go on the museum tour, "Gilded, Not Golden," Additionally, the Mansions on Fifth hotel and the Omni William Penn offer accommodations that serve as a testament to Gilded Age elegance. Bramwell, West Virginia The West Virginia town of Bramwell was once an enclave of coal barons who built elaborate mansions. At the height of the coal boom, Bramwell was home to more than a dozen millionaires who constructed turreted Victorians, English brick manors and sprawling estates with ballrooms, leaded stained-glass windows, copper roofing and even early indoor vacuum systems. Bramwell's entire downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its brick-lined streets are a living museum, where preserved landmarks include the 1893 Bank of Bramwell, the 1889 Town Hall, and the old Bryant Pharmacy, now The Corner Shop, a beloved soda fountain serving milkshakes amid antique charm. While many homes remain privately owned, guided mansion tours are offered twice yearly during the town's spring and Christmas Heritage events. Bramwell is a stop along the National Coal Heritage Trail and includes an interpretive center sharing real stories of the region's coal barons, company towns, and industrial legacy. Other Gilded Age Sites In The U.S. The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose was constructed for Sarah Pardee Winchester, heiress of the ... More Winchester Repeating Arms fortune. Other noteworthy Gilded Age mansions include Bellosguardo in Santa Barbara, a 24-acre Italianate villa that was the summer retreat of the reclusive heiress Huguette Clark, subject of the New York Times bestseller, 'Empty Mansions.' The Hayes Mansion San Jose, Curio Collection by Hilton was originally the Mission Revival estate of the Hayes family, prominent figures in the city's agricultural, political, media and social circles. Also in San Jose, the Winchester Mystery House is the beautiful but bizarre Victorian-style mansion built by Sarah Pardee Winchester, heiress of the Winchester Repeating Arms fortune. Construction began in 1884, and didn't stop for 38 years until her death in 1922. Said to be tormented by the guilt of victims lost to the Winchester Rifle, Winchester built the dizzying structure with many odd and mysterious features. Daily guided tours of the estate are offered.
