*This webinar is part of our NYAC Summer Encore Series — a limited-time showcase of archived programs, re-airing exclusively this August*
The Gilded Age, also referred to as the American Renaissance, marked the first time that the titans of American finance and industry had more wealth than their European counterparts. With that wealth came the need to have any property they touched dripping in architectural detail and embellishment that rivaled the great cultural capitals of the world like London, Paris, and Rome — enter the Beaux-Arts movement. How did this style define New York City, and specifically, it's centers of knowledge? It's time to get an exclusive glimpse at some of the city's greatest Beaux-Arts rooms and buildings, and dive into the lives of the most prominent millionaires in American history.
Join New York Adventure Club for a four-part series that explores the stories and architecture of New York City’s Beaux-Arts movement during the Gilded Age. In Part Three, we'll survey five of New York’s most notable Beaux-Arts mansions still standing along Fifth Avenue, from stories of the millionaires that commissioned them to an extensive look at the ornate exteriors and lavish interiors that, as Downtown Abbey and The Gilded Age creator Julian Fellowes notes, "still reek of money."
Led by architect Phillip James Dodd — author of An American Renaissance: Beaux-Arts Architecture on New York City with foreword by Julian Fellowes — our virtual experience of these European-inspired chateaux and palazzos will include:
- Calvert Vaux's transformation of two separate Greek Revival Townhouses in Gramercy Park into one grand mansion for Samuel Tilden, along with why Tilden is central to the demise of infamous Tammany Hall leader Boss Tweed, the contested Presidential election of 1876, and the founding of the New York Public Library
- The story behind the “Petite Chateau” designed by Richard Morris Hunt for Alva Vanderbilt, and how one house changed the course of residential architecture in New York
- A discussion of Joseph DeLamar (nicknamed The American Count of Monte Cristo), including his imposing Beaux-Arts chateau designed by C.P.H. Gilbert — which was created to impress high-society and host opulent balls — and its current home as the Consulate General of Poland
- The creation of the world-famous Frick Collection — once the private residence of Henry Clay Frick, perhaps the most hated Robber Baron of The Gilded Age, this mansion was not only designed to house a magnificent art collection, but also to spite an old business adversary, and repair a tarnished reputation
- A close look at the James Burden mansion designed by Whitney Warren, which can be best described as a French interpretation of an Italian Palazzo, and has the distinction of being referred to by The Landmark Preservation Commission as “the finest Beaux-Arts townhouse in the City”
- A talk surround Otto Kahn and his incredible Fifth Avenue mansion that's the largest remaining home in New York, from its street façade modeled on the Papal Chancery in Rome to how he almost single-handedly saved and supported the New York Metropolitan Opera
See you there, virtually!
*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar
**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser
***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week after the series finale
****If the event has already passed, but it's been less than a week since the series finale, you can still register for it on our website's active replay section!
About Phillip
Phillip James Dodd has a rich academic and practice-based background as an author and award-winning classical architect. His designs can be found in New York, Greenwich, Palm Beach, and as far as away as Bangalore, India. He is the author of several best-selling books – The Art of Classical Details (2013); An Ideal Collaboration (2015); The Classical American House (2017); and An American Renaissance: Beaux-Arts Architecture on New York City (2021).
NYC’s Gilded Age Beaux-Arts Movement Series (Re-Air)
Part 1: Libraries (Wednesday, August 6)
Part 2: Murals & Sculptures (Wednesday, August 13)
Part 3: Mansions (Wednesday, August 20)
Part 4: Skyscrapers (Wednesday, August 27)
Testimonials
" Excellent visuals. Great explanations & background. Rich history. Presenter's expertise and delivery." -Elvia
" Interesting content; great photos! This webinar was a great value. So happy I stumbled upon NYC Adventures!" -Shirley
" Amazing how many mansions still exist in NYC which I had thought had been devoted to tearing down and replacing with glass or ultra modern. Eye opening and glad to see beauty still exists in NYC." -Barbara
" Excellent photos and very informative. I loved the whole event." -Patricia
" Love the webinar format very easy to access. Great presenter!" -Mais
" Good quality visuals. The presenter was prepared and had a great depth of knowledge about the personalities and events of the era as well as his topic." -Shelly
" Phillip Dodd kept me engaged throughout the webinar with his presentation. He's so knowledgeable about the architecture and the stories behind the people who lived/designed the buildings. I am looking forward to his next webinar on the Beaux Artes Skyscrapers in NYC. As a Londoner I watch the replays and am grateful for this facility as NYC Adventure Club provide so many good and interesting webinars." -Aiki
" Mr. Dodds knowledge of the subject is astounding. He makes the presentation so interesting and worthwhile. We also love his little side stories and the threads that link the people and houses to each other." -Lois
" The photos were terrific and the speaker was really impressive." -Joyce
" Great pictures, commentary very good" -Laurence
" The lecturer was extremely knowledgeable, facile with the information, and engaging. Excellent program." -Lydia
" The casualness, the anecdotes, the historical connections, the occasional humor." -Gayle
" All of the architectural splendor! I was also amazed to learn that so few architects and robber barons shaped New York!" -Edwyna
" Great content and delivery. Would like to see more houses." -John
" Teacher was articulate and interesting. I loved the pictures." -Barbara
" Found out many things I did not know. (And have passed by the Polish Consulate many times, without knowing what it looks like inside.)" -Marilyn
" A lot of information accented with pictures." -D
" Presenter was outstanding. Fascinating, well-researched material and slides. Program was one of if not the best I’ve attended." -N
" Informative and interesting" -Sharon
" Excellent content and presentation" -Leslie
" Beautiful visuals to go with the info" -Richard
" Mr. Dodd is so very knowledgeable about the beauty of architecture and the architects who built everything and the billionaires who paid for everything. He is so eloquent. This class was a rich visual experience!" -Dorothy
" Put the puzzle of what I did know with what I didn’t know" -Lynn
" It inspired me to make a personal itinerary to drag my boyfriend to NYC and have a look at some of these beautiful buildings! Loved it! Already recommending the platform to friends!" -Jacqueline
"Having written a book on the topic, the presenter was clearly an expert in the subject matter. The photographs were excellent, and it was really special to see the interiors of places that are not open to the public." -Leb
"The historical data and the presenter's accent :-)" -LeeAnn
"Insights/asides to the people and personalities and the mansions and descriptions of the buildings' evolutions - the connecting some of the mansions to television shows and movies was a nice effect. References to European locations also appreciated." -TK
"Lots of shots of interesting buildings, especially the interiors." -Mini
"I liked learning the back story of the many beautiful buildings. I'm going to the library to borrow Dodd's book!" -E
"I like knowing more about these buildings that I walked past for years. I got a sense of the history of how the city came to look like it does. I like seeing the inside, as well as the outside, of the buildings." -Laura
"Inside access and background" -Marlena
"Excellent speaker who threaded the history behind some of the most iconic architectural residences during the guilded age" -Gayle
"I loved the orator's knowledge of the period. It was well thought out and organized. Pictures were spot on. Very information about a subject that I love, but don't know much about it." -Patty
"He had a vast expanse of knowledge and was comfortable speaking in front of a camera." -Harriet
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Photo Credit: All - Jonathan Wallen
Categories: Virtual, Gilded Age
