If you missed this series in
2023 -- or simply want a fresh perspective -- now’s
your chance to revisit the Gilded Age, one of the
most complex and captivating periods in American history. From 1877 to 1896, America saw explosive industrial growth, technological innovation, and immense wealth for a fortunate few. But
beneath the glittering surface were the untold
stories of those who made that world run.
In this third class of the series, Historians and
authors Nancy Markey and Kay Adams shift the
spotlight to the people who lived and labored behind the grand doors of families like the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, and Carnegies. Much like the
downstairs staff of Downton Abbey, America
had its own domestic workforce -- maids, butlers,
cooks, coachmen -- whose lives were defined by
long hours and strict hierarchies.
Through rich storytelling and historical insight,
Nancy and Kay bring to life the experiences of
the working class during this era of opulence and
inequality. Discover what daily life was really like
for the staff who kept Gilded Age households running. While this is part of an ongoing series, each
class stands alone; join us for one or many