Most Extreme Excesses In The Gilded Age

Rich families of the Gilded Age lived lives nearly unimaginable today. How so? One need only look around one's hometown and see where the enormous, glorious mansions of the late 19th century have either been turned into private or public museums – or are peeling and rotting away – to get a glimpse. In most cases, it is simply too costly to maintain them as private residences anymore. So, imagine just how incredibly rich the handful of mid- to late 19th-century families had to be to keep up such lavish appearances. The Gilded Age wealth disparity was so extreme that people today often compare them to what modern society terms the "one-percent" class.

#GildedAge #RobberBarons #WeirdHistory

[squigglesalamode]

I was able to tour the Breakers, Marble and Elm Houses in Newport and the opulence was insane. Every room was ornate and called you poor in thirty languages.

[RandomBalo]

I customize private jets for a living. Let me assure you, the excessive shenaniganry is still happening. Sometimes all it takes is for one rich dingus to see another rich dingus' jet for a new work order to come in.

[NewMessage]

That's nothin'. Yesterday, I threw out a jar of peanut butter without properly scraping the bottom clean... and just, opened a new one.

I'm minted, man.

[worldofdoom]

Maybe an episode on the excess of Roman emperors or Chinese Imperial families would be interesting.

[marstondavis]

Reggie Vanderbilt commissioned a steam powered yacht to be built for his 21st birthday. It took a couple of years to build and outfit. When it was launched, on his birthday, he boarded it and inspected it from bow to stern. It had a 17-man crew, including the captain. He never went back aboard. He did keep it fully powered, ready to sail at a moment's notice. He stocked with the finest food and drink and had the crew on board 24-7-365. He kept it that way until he died in his mid 40's. How much do you think that cost just in coal, burning 24 hours a day for 20 plus years just to keep the steam boilers going, while going nowhere? I think that's amazing! Crazy, but amazing!

[Baba_Wawa]

The Vanderbilt home or Biltmore Estate is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. I’ve been a few times & highly recommend it. They have guided historical tours, a winery, & candle light dinners that are not only educational but a ton of fun!

[dembrosstudios]

Similar to Newport, Lake Geneva Wisconsin was also known for their guilded age mansions. People went there after the great Chicago fire since there was a direct rail line. It's an interesting place to visit.

[legithopecrew]

It is good to know that almost nothing has changed for the rich.

[MidnightBreezey]

Imagine living in a culture where earning your own wealth rather than inheriting it is a 'humiliation'.

[calendarpage]

Andrew Carnegie, once the richest man in the world, began funding library construction in the late 1890's. Many cities and towns in the US can thank him for their first purpose built library, which are often still in use today. There was no income tax then, so fantastic amounts of personal wealth could be accumulated. Carnegie wrote 'The Gospel of Wealth, ' telling those who became wealthy that they had an obligation to give to and promote charitable works, which many did.

[TheNurulaulia]

This is really interesting 😉. I wish you could cover more about Gilded Age!

[jeffo]

I currently live in Newport. I highly recommend touring the Breakers, Elms, and Marble House. Those 1%ers lived a lavish life back in the day…. Don’t forget to take a drive around Ocean Drive to see more crazy houses (including Jay Leno’s mansion).

[laserbeam]

I live about an hours drive from the Biltmore House in Asheville NC. Been there three times and toured the house and grounds. It is an amazing place. The house is kept immaculate and the grounds well cared for. The tour guides are very well informed and are always willing to answer any question the tourist have. It's a wonderful day trip.

[IPPSav]

Shortly after the end of the Gilded Age, in 1916, a guy named James Deering built Villa Vizcaya (overlooking the Biscayne Bay in Miami). I guess the gilded fad was a little behind down in Florida. Anyway, Vizcaya is just as ostentatious as anything up North. Italian marble, gold plumbing fixtures, ten acres of formal gardens, and even a PIPE ORGAN spread out in hidden places throughout the mansion.

[thedaggonator]

This is so interesting. It’s interesting to see how the CEOs live.

Wait… this ISN’T about the 21ST Century Billionaires?

[topherman]

The Vanderbilt ball was a bit of an inspiration for the ball the Russell's threw in the show The Gilded Age (Mr Russell is also heavily inspired by the robber baron Jay Gould). The elaborate dance they had in the show was also inspired by that ball but the Vanderbilts had 6 rehearsed dances and all the guests and the hosts had very elaborate costumes, one woman actually had a stuffed cat for a hat and her dress had cat tails sewn on it.

[Momsdailyagenda]

Luv this channel! I love reading about the Gilded Age and learning new facts.
I recommend going to the Newport Mansions for tours. It’s unbelievable the size of these homes, the decor and the landscaping. It is breathtaking!
The series, The Gilded Age, Mr & Mrs Russell are based on the Vanderbilt’s. 👍

[guntherholbrook]

That amazing moment when you log on and Weird History uploaded a new video 14 seconds ago

[caseygarland]

Living near Asheville in NC, I have visited the Biltmore mansion many times…. It is an amazingly beautiful home with the gardens and vineyard to explore as well.

[ralphg]

I just went to the Biltmore for new years it was unbelievable. Took me 2 1/2 hours to walk through it.