Best Bowery Boys Media Podcasts (2024)

1
The 'Bishop' of Broadway: The Life and Times of David Belasco 51:56

1d ago51:56

51:56

David Belasco -- playwright, producer, impresario, theatre manager, and theatrical visionary -- was one of the most important names in the world of the Gilded Age stage. Beginning his life and career in San Francisco following the Gold Rush years, Belasco moved to New York to revolutionize how theatre was seen and produced in the last years of the …

1
The Ghost Stories of Henry James and Edith Wharton 53:00

15d ago53:00

53:00

Along with their acclaimed novels and short works of fiction, Henry James and Edith Wharton both extensively explored the genre of the ghost story, enormously popular throughout much of the 19th century. In nearly all of their ghostly tales, James and Wharton explore the inner depths of the human psyche and the all-too-human emotions of fear, aband…

1
Children of the Gilded Age: Seen and Not Heard (Until Now) 50:15

30d ago50:15

50:15

Stories of the Gilded Age so often focus on the world of adults and more often on the highest layer of elite society. Of course, there was much, much more to the story of America's social and economic growth at the end of the 19tth century that involved those of the middle and lower classes - and also included children. Listener favorite Esther Cra…

1
Gossip Girl: Gilded Age Socialite Elizabeth Drexel Lehr Tells All 44:59

1M ago44:59

44:59

Elizabeth Wharton Drexel was a quintessential ingenue of the Gilded Age. Eventual heiress to the Drexel banking fortune, elegant and sophisticated, Elizabeth married but was widowed unexpectedly. But she married again, this time to Harry Symes Lehr, a bon vivant and social playboy. But she soon learned her life was to become a reality far from what…

1
Louis Comfort Tiffany: Lighting the Gilded Age 1:00:22

2M ago1:00:22

1:00:22

Just the name "Tiffany" evokes the glamour and elegance of the Gilded Age. But there is much more to the story than just the eponymous retailer who continues to sell fine jewelry and decorative objects today. Carl is joined by Lindsy R. Parrott, the Executive Director of The Neustadt Collection, one of the country's most important collections of Ti…

1
In The Good Ole Summertime ENCORE 46:46

3M ago46:46

46:46

It’s nearly the end of the summer but there's still time for one more visit to the seashore and, in particular, one place that was so very popular in the Gilded Age -- Coney Island. Join Carl and guest Esther Crain for an encore presentation of “In the Good Old Summertime: Where the Gilded Age Played.” And coming soon -- Esther will be joining Carl…

1
Summer with Queen Victoria: Life at Osborne House 47:26

3M ago47:26

47:26

In this special episode created in partnership with English Heritage, Carl is joined by curator Christopher Warleigh-Lack for a look at the once royal residence of Osborne House on England's Isle of Wight. Christopher guides us through inside the grand estate where Queen Victoria and Prince Albert spent summer and Christmas holidays. Following Albe…

1
Great Estates of the Berkshires 57:11

3M ago57:11

57:11

Carl is joined by Cornelia Brooke Gilder, noted Berkshire historian, author and Lenox native, for this special show which delves into the artistic and literary life of the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts as well as its role as a Gilded Age summer enclave. From the early 19th century the lush, green landscape of the Berkshire mountain inspired w…

1
The Adirondacks and Great Camp Sagamore: Retreating to Nature in the Gilded Age 56:30

4M ago56:30

56:30

Historian and scholar Connor Williams joins Carl for this look at the Gilded Age retreat of the Adirondacks. A number of Gilded Age families came to this leafy paradise despite the dusty two day journey in an attempt to escape the city and recharge in nature. The Gilded Age saw the rise of the "great camps" -- extensive properties owned by families…

1
Hyde Park's Vanderbilt Mansion: Building a Gilded Age House 48:00

4M ago48:00

48:00

Carl is joined by curator Frank Futral for a special on-location visit to the Vanderbilt Mansion in New York's Hudson Valley. Built for Frederick Vanderbil tand his wife Lousie by legendary firm McKim, Mead and White, the mansion is a work of art itself combining classic Beaux Arts style with unique and rare architectural elements brought from Euro…

1
Man About Town: The Story of Murray Hall ENCORE 36:21

4M ago36:21

36:21

To celebrate a month of diversity, courage and pride, we are rereleasing this episode which continues to be one of the most talked about shows on The Gilded Gentleman so far. The story of Murray Hall -- a Gilded Age bail bondsman, Tammany Hall representative and loving and devoted father -- is one that few know. It's a story that leaves you inspire…

1
Gilded Age Newspapers: All That Was (Mostly) Fit to Print 59:11

5M ago59:11

59:11

Carl is joined by veteran journalist, writer and tour guide Michael Morgenthal for a journey through the pages of 19th century newspapers. Michael traces the history of several of our most well known newspapers today including the New York Post and the New York Times as well as how Gilded Age journalists and readers had - in their way - the (nearly…

1
The Gilded Age's Most Famous Dress: Alice Vanderbilt's "Electric Light" 47:08

5M ago47:08

47:08

Carl visits the Museum of the City of New York where he's joined by Collections Manager for Costumes and Textiles, Elizabeth Randolph, to discuss the famous dress Alice Vanderbilt wore to her sister-in-law Alva'a ball, while inspecting the original dress itself. On the evening of March 26, 1883, Alva Vanderbilt threw her famous costume ball to offi…

1
Jack the Ripper: Inside the World's Most Famous Unsolved Murders 1:17:21

6M ago1:17:21

1:17:21

Renowned historian and author Richard Jones delves deeply into one of the world's most fascinating unsolved series of murders. True crime fans may think they know the major elements of the grisly set of Jack the Ripper murders and the resulting investigation, but this show uncovers some angles and aspects that shine a wider light into these horrors…

1
Royal Mothers and Daughters: A conversation with Tracy Borman 57:29

6M ago57:29

57:29

Royal historian and author Tracy Borman returns to The Gilded Gentleman following her appearance on Crown & Scepter: The Coronation Show last year. Tracy is a noted historian and a frequent guest and commentator on the BBC as well as many documentaries and programs internationally. Tracy's most recent book "Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I: The Mother a…

1
Sweeney Todd's Original Johanna: A Tribute to Broadway's Sarah Rice 42:59

6M ago42:59

42:59

Just over a year ago, as Broadway opened a revival of the classic Stephen Sondheim musical Sweeney Todd, The Gilded Gentleman was honored to sit down with one of the stars of the original 1979 Broadway production. Sarah Rice, who went on to a distinguished career in opera as well as leading roles in musical theatre, originated the role of Johanna p…

1
The Edwardian Country House: Elegance and Eccentricity 46:14

7M ago46:14

46:14

Join Carl and British country house historian Curt DiCamillo for a look into the world of the Edwardian country house. Audiences became fascinated in these houses through the blockbuster Julian Fellowes series "Downton Abbey" and his earlier film "Gosford Park", with their colliding worlds of upstairs and downstairs and interlocking social dramas. …

1
Gilded Age Undergarments: What Did Mrs. Astor Wear (Under There)? 54:31

7M ago54:31

54:31

Fashion historian and author, Dr. Elizabeth L. Block returns to The Gilded Gentleman for a truly "undercover" investigation. This time, Liz joins Carl to discuss the world of corsets, bustles, straps and stockings, all of which comprised the undergarment engineering that helped make the glorious gowns by Worth and other designers appear as glamorou…

1
The Hidden World of Gramercy Park: Unlocking History with Keith Taillon 56:54

8M ago56:54

56:54

The small two acre square known since the 1830's as Gramercy Park has also been called "America's Bloomsbury". Taking the reference from London's famous neighborhood once home to many great writers and artists, New York's Gramercy Park has similarly included noted cultural icons from architect Stanford White to actor Edwin Booth to the great politi…

1
The American Renaissance: Beaux-Arts Architecture in New York City 1:00:51

8M ago1:00:51

1:00:51

Carl is joined by noted architect, interior designer and author Phillip James Dodd for an in-depth discussion of the "look" of the Gilded Age - a style known as American Beaux-Arts. Architecture constructed during the height of America's Gilded Age most certainly had a distinctive look. It was a uniquely American combination of stylistic elements o…

1
Daring Dandies: Early 20th Century Men of Style and Scandal 52:16

9M ago52:16

52:16

In the previous episode "Dandies: Gentleman of Style from the 19th Century to Today", Carl was joined by cultural historian and maker of fine custom clothing, Nathaniel Lee Adams for a look at this most interesting breed of society's tastemaking men. In this new episode, Carl and Natty take the discussion further and focus on the early 20th century…

1
The Sculptor and the Angel: The Untold Story of Emma Stebbins 54:19

9M ago54:19

54:19

In this episode, journalist and biographer Maria Teresa Cometto joins The Gilded Gentleman for a look into the life of New York-born 19th-century sculptor Emma Stebbins. Emma Stebbins is most noted for her iconic bronze statue, The Angel of the Waters, which was placed on Central Park's Bethesda Terrace in 1873. Maria Teresa Cometto is the author o…

1
The Real Mamie Fish with Ashlie Atkinson and Keith Taillon 53:24

10M ago53:24

53:24

Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish, known to all as just Mamie, was another of the larger-than-life personalities during the Gilded Age. For this episode, Carl is joined by historian and writer Keith Taillon and actor Ashlie Atkinson, who portrays Mamie Fish in HBO's The Gilded Age, for a look at just who this complicated and fascinating woman really was. If you…

1
Edith Wharton's "The Age of Innocence" with Dr. Emily Orlando 45:57

10M ago45:57

45:57

Edith Wharton published The Age of Innocence at a very important moment in her life. When the novel came out in 1920, she had been living in France full-time for nearly 10 years and had seen the devastating effects of World War I up close. Her response was to look back with a sense of nostalgia to the time of her childhood to recreate that staid, r…

1
Having a Ball: The Gilded Age's Most Outrageous Parties (ENCORE) 48:32

10M ago48:32

48:32

It's ball season! Time to call the carriage for your visit to the Gilded Age's greatest parties. Balls were the most lavish entertainment one could attend in the Gilded Age -- from Mrs. Astor's annual Opera Ball for around 400 guests to smaller affairs for only 200 or 300 hundred. But that ball was far more than an elegant night out. Being invited …

1
The Roeblings: The Family Who Built the Brooklyn Bridge (Bowery Boys Archive) 1:19:43

11M ago1:19:43

1:19:43

Viewers were introduced to Emily Roebling on the second season of The Gilded Age. Now learn the entire story of the Roebling family -- father, son, wife -- the engineers responsible for the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. As a special bonus episode to end the year, enjoy this 2023 show from the Bowery Boys podcast archives, looking at the extr…

1
Delmonico's: The Return of a Legend with Max Tucci 42:11

11M ago42:11

42:11

Delmonico's began as the dream of two Swiss immigrants in the 1820's and grew to be a social center of the Gilded Age. Prohibition shuttered Delmonico's along with other great New York restaurants. Italian immigrant Oscar Tucci looked at the closed great brownstone former restaurant at 56 Beaver St and decided to reopen it - first as a speakeasy, t…

1
Simon Jones (Bannister on HBO's "The Gilded Age"): In Conversation 44:37

11M ago44:37

44:37

Carl is joined by actor Simon Jones, whose distinguished career has included King George V on "Downton Abbey", stage productions on Broadway and the West End, and his current role as Bannister on HBO's "The Gilded Age". Simon takes us backstage as he discusses his career from his earliest roles, including in the radio drama version of "The Hitchhik…

1
Inside Newport: Objects and Observations with Ulysses Dietz 45:50

11M ago45:50

45:50

Ulysses Dietz, noted curator, author, and historian is the great-great grandson of President Ulysses S. Grant. In this unique and very special show, Ulysses takes us behind the doors of several of Newport's great mansions to understand how architecture, design and decorative arts all combine to tell the story of how this social community came to be…

1
Christmas in Victorian America: City House/Country House 50:14

11M ago50:14

50:14

Christmas traditions evolved over the 19th century, combining influences from the days of the Dutch settlers with British practices inspired by the work of Dickens, and along the way, they became something truly American. In this special holiday episode, the Gilded Gentleman visits with Ann Haddad, House Historian of New York's 1832 Merchant's Hous…

1
Jay Gould at Home: Life at Lyndhurst Mansion 45:24

12M ago45:24

45:24

Financier Jay Gould was one of the most famous — and infamous — of the Gilded Age robber barons. He was ruthless in his business dealings, tangled with the Vanderbilts for control of the railroads and fought battle after battle on Wall Street. But there was a less contentious side to him as well. Gould sought respite from New York City with his fam…

1
The Gilded Age Cookbook: A Conversation with Becky Libourel Diamond 50:43

12M ago50:43

50:43

The Gilded Age was a period of rapid industrialization and innovation - and that was abundantly true in terms of what was happening in the kitchen. New marvels like refrigeration, the availability of ingredients like baking powder, and new tools from egg beaters to meat slicers, all made creating over-the-top meals much easier than ever before. Bec…

1
Black Gotham: Origins of Gilded Age New York's Black Elite 59:48

12M ago59:48

59:48

One of the most fascinating story lines in Season One of the HBO series "The Gilded Age" was that of the young black writer Peggy Scott and her Brooklyn family. Elements of Peggy's father's character were based on scholar Dr. Carla Peterson's own ancestral family. In her groundbreaking book, Black Gotham: A Family History of African-Americans in Ni…

1
The Opening of the Metropolitan Opera 1883 (ENCORE) 27:39

1y ago27:39

27:39

Celebrate the opening of the opera season Gilded Age style! In this encore episode, Carl delves into how the Metropolitan Opera came to be and what it meant to those bejewelled Gilded Age audiences. Most of the drama took place in the audience - and not so much on the stage. On the night of October 22, 1883, the brand new Metropolitan Opera House o…

1
Ghosts of the Gilded Age 55:30

1y ago55:30

55:30

In this truly spooky episode. Greg and Tom from the Bowery Boys podcast travel to Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island to delve into four tales of the unexplained, the perhaps unforgotten and definitely the unsettling. Our stories include a massive elegant mansion that once graced the Hunts Point neighborhood in the Bronx. Built by mercha…

1
New York Real Estate: Mansions, Money and Madness 1:02:36

1y ago1:02:36

1:02:36

John Jacob Astor is considered to have been New York's first great real estate mogul, and indeed the Astor family has been said to have been "New York's landlords" for much of the 19th century. But other developers and builders were responsible for establishing desirable areas in which to build as well. In this episode guest historian Keith Taillon…

1
Music of the Gilded Age: Symphonies to Saxophones 59:46

1y ago59:46

59:46

Join Carl and historian and professional musician Dr. Christopher Brellochs for a tour through the musical influences of the Gilded Age. Music in the Gilded Age incorporated many different styles and influences from the classical symphonies and operas brought to American concert halls and stages from Europe to more home grown music that included mi…

1
The Real "Buccaneers": The Gilded Age’s Million Dollar Princesses 48:58

1y ago48:58

48:58

In the latter part of 19th-century America, over 200 young women married into British and European noble families. Some Gilded Age families wanted their daughters to gain titles to secure their social standing, and many willing aristocrats needed the significant marriage settlements to repair crumbling estates and fill up their bank accounts. From …

1
Venetian Days: Henry James and Friends on the Grand Canal 50:43

1y ago50:43

50:43

Venice by the end of the 19th century had lost much of the glory it once had known. Crumbling palazzi, a bad economy and an overall sense of decay permeated the city. New writings published on the long-forgotten Venetian Renaissance painters and artists brought a new stream of visitors to the city including Henry James, John Singer Sargent and Jame…

1
Monaco's First American Princess (ENCORE) 35:56

1y ago35:56

35:56

As we continue our visit to the Riviera in the Belle Epoque, The Gilded Gentleman revisits the little-known story of an American-born European princess. Many people think that Grace Kelly became the first American princess of Monaco when she married Prince Rainier in 1956. The truth however is that decades before in the glittering years of the Bell…

1
The French Riviera: Tales of Royals, Rascals and Rothschilds 58:03

1y ago58:03

58:03

A glittering, glamorous look at the history of the French Riviera and its height in the years of the Belle Epoque - where not everything was always quite as it seemed. Originally popular as a warm weather destination for convalescing British aristocrats, the rocky, dramatically beautiful eastern coastline of southern France, the Riviera and its res…

1
In the Good Old Summertime: Where the Gilded Age Played 46:29

1+ y ago46:29

46:29

As New York continued its march up the island of Manhattan, there were few places where people that couldn't escape to Newport could find somewhere to relax, play, stroll and find some shade. The development of Central Park provided some much needed relief but it took some time for it to become a place that was accessible and viable for all of New …

1
The Glamour of Gilded Age Shopping (ENCORE) 34:23

1+ y ago34:23

34:23

As a special summer bonus, join Carl for an encore of this classic Gilded Gentleman episode. Be sure to wear your best hat and dust off your gold topped cane for this very gilded shopping trip. Carl is joined by Emma Guest-Consales, PhD art historian and master New York City tour guide. for this special look at the evolution of shopping in 19th cen…

1
The Golden Age of Gilded Age Cocktails 49:22

1+ y ago49:22

49:22

There is nothing like a finely crafted cocktail to celebrate a special occasion (even if it's just a typical Tuesday). While many think that classic cocktail history began during the Jazz Age and the 1920s (even though America was in the middle of Prohibition), the truth is that much happened about fifty years before -- in the Gilded Age. Vintage b…

1
Whitman and Wilde Part 2: Oscar Wilde in New York, 1882 51:58

1+ y ago51:58

51:58

When Oscar Wilde arrived in New York in January 1882, one of his most important intentions was to meet the great Walt Whitman, who was more than 30 years older than Wilde, and whom he had idolized since his youth. The two poets met, and in this show, we expand on what that meeting would have been like, how each writer influenced the other, and what…

1
Whitman and Wilde Part 1: Walt Whitman in New York, 1855 52:42

1+ y ago52:42

52:42

The New York world that Walt Whitman knew as a young man in the 1850's was really two cities - that of New York (which was only today's Manhattan) and the growing city of Brooklyn across the East River. These two cities in the midst of pre-Civil War and pre-Gilded Age development inspired the young Whitman to give voice to a new America and new exp…

1
Architect of the Gilded Age: The Triumphant Tale of Richard Morris Hunt 1:02:35

1+ y ago1:02:35

1:02:35

A special bonus episode from the Bowery Boys archives! Join Tom and Greg for an in-depth look at the architect that, as some have said, gave the Gilded Age its look. In the years before the great firm of McKim, Mead and White with its star architect Stanford White, another American born and Paris trained architect was translating European style wit…

1
Before Broadway: Where the Gilded Age Went to the Theater 1:03:44

1+ y ago1:03:44

1:03:44

A look at New York's theater scene during the Gilded Age. Tim Dolan, theater historian and theater district tour guide (owner of Broadway UpClose) helps us take a look at the era's theater, including its shows, stars and theaters, some of which are still around. Through most of the 19th century New Yorkers thought of "Broadway" as a street, not a t…

1
Crown & Sceptre: The Coronation Show with Tracy Borman 53:16

1+ y ago53:16

53:16

Take a fascinating journey back in time to visit a few British royal rulers with an intimate look at their reigns as well as at their majestic coronations. British author and historian Tracy Borman joins The Gilded Gentleman for this unique look at history based on her book "Crown & Sceptre: A New History of the British Monarchy from William the Co…

1
The British Crown Jewels: History and Mystery 48:59

1+ y ago48:59

48:59

Join Carl and historian and curator, Curt DiCamillo for a fascinating look into the history of the British Crown Jewels. Curt shares the history of the crowns and jewels, including a discussion of the oldest (and newest) pieces in the collection. The show includes an intriguing look at how crowns likely first came to be in royal history and how the…

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