As the stewards of a site that interprets the Gilded Age, we were very excited to see an entire television series dedicated to the era. We were especially interested because the show was created by Downton Abbey mastermind, Julian Fellowes who is known for the efforts he puts into the historical details and accuracy of his shows and movies. The first season of HBO's The Gilded Age depicted 1882 New York and aired from January - March 2022; a second season is forthcoming. The show brought the era to life with magnificent costuming, sets, and a dramatization of the clash between old and new monied elites. In addition to this central clash of values, the show also depicted the life of the black elite in Brooklyn, the plight of servants, and the ways new technology was about to revolutionize the country. Although the main characters were fictional, there were several real historical figures mixed in such as Mrs. Astor, Ward McAllister, and Mrs. Fish among others.
 |
| Photo: HBO |