The Age of Affluence: A History of Newport's Gilded Age Mansions

Join us for a look at Newport’s famed Gilded Age mansions and the elite families who called them home! Trudy Coxe, CEO of The Preservation Society of Newport County, will guide you through an era of ambition, excess, and transformation in this talk on the far-reaching impact of America’s belle époque. From the rise of industrial fortunes that shaped our cities and culture to Newport (RI)'s role as a glittering summer stage for families like the Vanderbilts, Astors and Berwinds, this presentation connects history, architecture, and power. The evening will conclude with a behind-the-scenes look at HBO’s The Gilded Age, revealing how today’s storytelling brings this dramatic chapter of American history vividly to life for modern audiences.

This is a hybrid program; patrons may attend in-person at the library or virtually on Zoom. Registration is required - please sign up below!