About this episode

The episode explores Andrew Carnegie's legacy of philanthropy amidst the backdrop of wealth inequality during the Gilded Age.

The Gilded Age was a time of unparalleled wealth and prosperity in America—but it was also a time of staggering inequality, corruption, and unchecked power. Among its richest figures was Andrew Carnegie, the steel magnate who built his fortune on the backs of low-paid workers, only to give it away—earning him the nickname the Godfather of American Philanthropy. He didn’t just fund libraries and universities, he championed a philosophy: that it was the duty of the ultra-wealthy to serve the public good. But, as it turns out, even philanthropy is a form of power. So, what exactly have wealthy philanthropists done with their power? We explore that question at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum , inside Carnegie’s former mansion. There, a board game called Philanthropy invites players to reimagine the connection between money and power—not by amassing wealth, but by giving it away. Produced by T he Smithsonian's Podcast — Sidedoor. With host and Senior Producer Lizzie Peabody. Featuring: Christina de León , Associate Curator of Latino Design at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum Tommy Mishima , artist and co-creator (with Liam Lee) of the installation Game Room in…

People in this episode

Host: Lizzie Peabody

Guests: Christina de León, Tommy Mishima, David Nasaw

Topics covered

• philanthropy
• wealth inequality
• American history
• Gilded Age
• power dynamics
• social responsibility

Keywords

• Andrew Carnegie
• philanthropy
• Gilded Age
• wealth
• inequality
• power
• Cooper Hewitt
• Smithsonian

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Kitchen Sisters, Radiotopia, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, Smithsonian's Podcast — Sidedoor

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