New York Adventure Club

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1980871315428

The Vanderbilt Family was perhaps the most fascinating of New York’s Gilded Age families of the 19th century — after all, their vast wealth; penchant for erecting monumental town houses and country estates; and early struggle to become accepted in the highest levels of Manhattan and Newport societies combine to tell a captivating saga of a social dynasty. This is the story of one of the most powerful and iconic families in American history, and the incredible Gilded Age estates built in their name.

Join New York Adventure Club for a deep dive into the Vanderbilt family, one of the most prominent families of 18th- and 19th-century America that originally made their fortune in the shipping and railroad industries.

Led by historian Tom Miller, our virtual exploration of the Vanderbilts and their magnificent properties will include:

• An overview of the family's early history, and how a penniless Cornelius Vanderbilt I would eventually earn unimaginable wealth
• A close look at the architectural masterpieces built by Cornelius' grandchildren, including the Biltmore Estate, Newport estates (such as Marble House and The Breakers), and Fifth Avenue mansions
• Stories surrounding Vanderbilt feuds, social triumphs, and public scandals
• Rare historic and modern photographs of many of these iconic Gilded Age estates throughout the country, inside and out

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Tom — any and all questions about the mansions of midtown are welcomed and encouraged!

Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay for one week!

See you there, virtually!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar
**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser
***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week
****If the event has already passed, but it's been less than a week, you can still register for it on our website's active replay section!

About Tom
Architectural and social historian Tom Miller is the author of Seeking New York, Seeking Chicago, as well as the popular blog “Daytonian in Manhattan.” Since 2009 Tom has published a blog post on a different Manhattan location every day — now totaling nearly 4,000.

His research and reporting focus as much on the social histories of the buildings — the tragedies and sorrows, triumphs and scandals of the people who built and lived in the houses — as on their architecture and styles.

Tom Miller’s retelling of these stories make the buildings come alive; and suddenly they are more than brick, marble, and limestone, but the histories of real people.

Testimonials
"From start to finish, this presentation was so enjoyable to listen to, & so packed full of great information about the Vanderbilts, such a thorough & entertaining talk, thank you!" -Mary

"Good pictures, good pace, juicy info" -Susan
"It was so informative and fascinating!" -Nora

"The information was so fascinating. He made the past come alive." -Margaret

"Great speaker. Gave great info with terrific photos." -Gail

"Tom clearly has a wealth of knowledge about the Vanderbilt family and their real estate!" -Merritt

"I found out some things about the Vanderbilt's that I hadn't read about before." -Mark

"Tom gives a lot of information and is good at reminding us of the differences in the centuries. We get a good perspective on what it was like living in that time. Great pictures too." -Elizabeth

"It was my first one and I will be back - well done!" -Tim

"It was a fun topic with a conversational tone made to be approachable by all!" -Allison

"Fascinating stories. I've never heard such detail about all of Cornelius Vanderbilt's children. Tom is an excellent and knowledgeable presenter." -Penny

Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Categories: Virtual, Gilded Age

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1980470166581

How hard is it to be accepted into The Explorers Club, you ask? Well, if your exploratory accomplishments rival those of other members (first to walk on the moon, reach the summit of Mount Everest, and launch a private spacecraft into orbit), then you'll be just fine. But if not, now's your rare chance to explore the historic rooms of one of New York's most fascinating private clubs, and rub shoulders with your fellow adventurers over some exploration-themed cocktails.

Join New York Adventure Club for a behind-the-scenes tour inside the members-only Explorers Club, a private social club founded in 1904 dedicated to the scientific exploration of land, sea, air, and space by supporting research and education in the physical, natural and biological sciences.

Led by a staff member at The Explorers Club, our unique experience through the historic Upper East Side clubhouse dating back to 1910 will include:

• The history and story behind The Explorers Club, from its inception over a dinner in 1904 to its current member base filled with astronauts, scientists, and other noteworthy explorers
• A private walkthrough of the five-story clubhouse and its vast collection of interesting artifacts collected on expeditions, including the first sled to the North Pole, pieces of the Wright Brothers plane, and flags taken to the moon
• A peek inside historic rooms including the Library and The Gallery
• A discussion around some of the club's most high-profile members throughout its history, from President Theodore Roosevelt to Elon Musk
• Access to the club's historic bar before and after the tour

The tour will conclude at the club's bar, where guests can stay and purchase exploration-themed cocktails!
Click here to see pictures from one of our last tours of The Explorers Club.
See you there!

*Business casual dress attire is preferred
**Club bar accepts only credit cards — please read important instructions in confirmation email
***Registered tour guests can check-in early and visit the bar before their tour, which opens at 6pm and closes at 9pm

Testimonials
"I loved hearing the fascinating stories of the expeditions and seeing the artifacts brought back from the trips. It was exciting to go ‘behind the scenes’..." -Karen
"It was fascinating! I've taken many of your tours & this was certainly one of the best..." -Mary
"I love the tour. It inspired me to want to do more with my life." -Kelly
"Interesting mansion with some stained-glass originating from the Windsor castle" -Gabriela
"Learning the history of the building and members and seeing some of the rooms not normally seen by non-members." -Matthew
"I LOVE the Explorers Club" -Amanda
"Loved the stories and artifacts and the building is beautiful" -Jasmin
"Our tour guide was incredibly informative, answered all of our questions, and made us feel at home." -Don
"First of all, I’m a total geek and loved hearing all the exciting expedition stories and explorer firsts. I think anyone who has a general interest in this stuff would find it riveting. Second, seeing all of the interesting art and artifacts was really exciting and interesting. The staff was also extremely friendly and inviting. Topping the evening off with a drink from the bar made it complete." -Kristin
"Informative and at a very interesting location." -Michael
"Very knowledgeable guide Interesting facts and items" -Jodi
"Very very cool tour with someone that really knew the space!" -Chris
"Very informative and interesting, the tour guide was very knowledgeable and I learned a lot. Meeting new people and networking was also a plus." -Danijela
"The history and the clubhouse. Both were fascinating." -Elissa
"Being able to see the interior of the Explorers Club. The cocktails were good." -Lorenzo
"Really interesting subject; good guide; and wondeful ambiance at the bar." -Todd"

Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Categories: In-Person, Mansions & Private Clubs

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1980478145446

Behind every ancient recipe lies a story — of empires and beliefs, of science and superstition, of survival and celebration. What can a single dish reveal about the culture that created it, and how do forgotten flavors help us rediscover lost worlds? Get ready for a culinary journey through time that blends food, history, and storytelling into one unforgettable feast for the mind.

Join New York Adventure Club as we explore five iconic recipes spanning empires, religions, and centuries — and discover how each dish serves as a cultural artifact, revealing the history, values, and traditions of the people who created it.

Led by chef, food historian, and author Jay Reifel, our virtual culinary experience will include:

• A reflection on how food narrates culture and history, including the meaning behind condiments like Roman garum and Baghdadi murri
• A discussion of common culinary myths, with a special focus on Tudor England and historical misconceptions in food lore
• Stories where cuisine intersects with famous historical moments, such as Cleopatra’s banquet for Marc Antony and the Dinner from Hell under Emperor Domitian
• What ingredients and cooking methods reveal about cultural values and daily life
• An in‑depth look at five emblematic historical dishes, including the Black Dish of Ancient Rome, the Vinegared Stew of 10th‑century Baghdad, Cockenthrice of Tudor courts, a Jewish Buried Casserole from Muslim Spain, and a 19th‑century Ballotine of Squab a la Madison from New York

Afterward, we’ll have a Q&A with Jay — any and all questions are welcomed and encouraged!
Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay for one week.
See you there, virtually!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar
**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser
***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week
****If the event has already passed, but it's been less than a week, you can still register for it on our website's active replay section!

About Jay
Jay Reifel is a chef, pastry chef, food historian, and author with a passion for exploring the intersection of cuisine and culture. Trained in Michelin-starred kitchens including the legendary WD-50, Jay has presented dinners at the James Beard House and competed on CHOPPED and Beat Bobby Flay. His work bridges culinary artistry and historical storytelling, drawing on collaborations with food scientists, historians, and cultural translators. Whether baking bread with schizophrenics or sampling delicacies like pig’s brains and live insects, Jay’s approach to food is as adventurous as it is thoughtful — always seeking to understand what what we eat says about who we are.
https://jayreifel.com
@jayreifel

Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Categories: Virtual, Food & Drink

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1980555977243

Exactly 100 years ago, the unimaginable happened: alcohol of every kind was effectively banned in America. But for cities like New York City, a little ol' constitutional ban wasn't going to stop people from continuing to have fun — rather than shut down, the city's nightlife simply moved underground (literally and figuratively). This is the story of how illicit drinking spots known as speakeasies were born, and how they not only defined the "Roaring 20s" in New York, but ushered in social changes that are still felt a century later.

Join New York Adventure Club as we explore the history of speakeasies in New York City, and how the strict men's only drinking clubs of pre-1920s America were replaced with cosmopolitan watering holes where the only rule was to have fun.

Led by Sylvia Laudien-Meo — art historian, museum educator, and NYC tour guide — this virtual journey around NYC's speakeasies will include:

-An overview of the Temperance Movement, from the series of events that led to the 18th Amendment in 1920, to the complex effects it had on NYC's social life, to creative ways people worked around it

-The rise and proliferation of the Speakeasy — while it created new trouble in American society like bootlegging and organized crime, it also paved the way for a burgeoning of gifted entertainers and the women's social liberation movement

-A closer look at some of the most infamous NYC speakeasies , including Lansky's Lounge and Chumley's, larger dance halls like the Stork's Club or 300 Club, and secret beer caves in the Bronx

-How speakeasies kept their operations hush-hush, from quietly transporting booze to their bars, to escape routes and tunnels, to tricks they used to hide their illicit operations in case they were raided

-Suggestions on today's best speakeasies in NYC , both original and revival

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Sylvia — any and all questions about New York's speakeasies are welcomed and encouraged!

Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay for one week!

See you there, virtually!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar

**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser — Google Chrome is the most compatible. Exact technical requirements and a webinar user guide will be shared in the automated confirmation email upon registration.

***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week

About Sylvia

Sylvia Laudien-Meo is a freelance Art Historian who works in and around the city in various capacities, specializing on Modern and Contemporary art, with a strong focus on Public Art. She teaches art history at Fairleigh Dickinson University and has been working as a museum educator at MoMA, the Guggenheim and the Jewish Museum for over many years, engaging visitors in conversation based, interactive art experiences of permanent collections and changing exhibitions.

For the Municipal Art Society, UFT, Brandeis Univ., and private clients, she has been touring the city for over 20 years, exploring art and architecture, parks, neighborhoods and history. Working in various different capacities gives her a unique opportunity to make intriguing connections and weave together the complex perspectives that make out the tapestry of our fascinating city.

SLM holds a Masters Degree in Art History (with minors in History and American Studies) from the Joh. Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany, as well as a Tourism degree from the EST in Paris France.