American Opulence: The Gilded Age Mansion

About this episode

This episode explores the opulence and cultural significance of Gilded Age mansions built by industrialists to showcase their wealth and power.

Industrialists of the Gilded Age were addicted to consumption. While some spent vast sums of money on public projects, several dedicated their time and energy into building palatial estates to demonstrate just how rich and powerful they had become. Competing for the attention and respect of the classic elites, the newly elite built mansions that emulated their European neighbors. Tune in as I explore the opulence and cultural significance of Gilded Age mansions, their architectural styles, an...

People in this episode

Host: Alycia Asai

Topics covered

• Gilded Age
• architecture
• industrialists
• opulence
• cultural significance
• mansions

Keywords

• Gilded Age
• mansions
• industrialists
• opulence
• architecture
• wealth
• cultural significance

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: classic elites

Books & works: Gilded Age mansions

Places: Europe

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