New York Adventure Club

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1979312451825

Long before Riverside Drive was lined with prewar apartments, it was the site of New York’s most extravagant architectural statement: the free‑standing mansion. Why did Gilded Age titans abandon Fifth Avenue for this untamed stretch along the Hudson — and what became of their stone castles, iron façades, and manicured estates? From explosive scandals to château-sized showpieces, it's time to uncover the forgotten legacy of Manhattan’s grandest lost homes.

Join New York Adventure Club as we explore the grand free-standing mansions of Riverside Drive that once stood as icons of Gilded Age opulence, but have since been lost to time.

Led by historian Tom Miller, our unique experience surrounding the architecture and social history of these homes will include:

• A look at Samuel G. Bayne’s stately mansion at 108th Street, one of the earliest homes to transform Riverside Drive into a magnet for Gilded Age wealth
• The shocking 1903 Black Hand attack on Peter Doelger’s home, revealing the hidden dangers that followed even the city’s most powerful brewers
• An overview of John Matthews’s distinctive Shingle Style mansion, built by the man known as “The Soda Water King”
• A spotlight on New York’s only cast iron free-standing residence, a singular architectural outlier among Riverside’s stone-clad giants
• An exploration of the colossal Charles Schwab Mansion, a full-block château that rivaled European palaces in both scale and ambition

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Tom — 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 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 4,600.
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.

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

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1979728395925

Before Rome ruled the world, another civilization was already flourishing on the Italian peninsula — one marked by vibrant art, lavish tombs, and sacred rituals. Known as the Etruscans, this sophisticated culture laid the groundwork for many Roman traditions, yet much of their story remains shrouded in mystery. How did such an influential people help shape the ancient world, and then seemingly vanish from it? It's time to uncover the legacy of this enigmatic society whose echoes still resonate through ancient art and architecture.

Join New York Adventure Club as we journey into the world of the Etruscans. This refined and influential civilization thrived in central Italy from the 8th to 3rd centuries BCE, with customs, beliefs, and artistic innovations that profoundly shaped the rise of Rome — even as their own origins and ultimate fate remain elusive.

Led by French and Italian art historian Tosca Ruggieri, this richly illustrated virtual exploration into Etruscan art, archaeology, and daily life will include:

• Insights into the origins of Etruscan civilization and how their early development in central Italy laid the foundation for a thriving culture
• A discussion around Etruscan religious beliefs and cultural practices that profoundly influenced Roman rituals and social customs
• A look at extraordinary Etruscan tombs and painted frescoes that vividly depict banquets, rituals, and mythological narratives
• An overview of their mastery in metalwork, pottery, and sculpture, prized across the ancient Mediterranean for its beauty and craftsmanship
• An exploration of their enduring legacy, and why understanding the Etruscans is essential to grasping the roots of Western civilization

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Tosca — 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 Tosca
Growing up amongst the artistic treasures of North-Eastern France and Tuscany, art inspired Tosca from an early age. This led her to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Art History in Paris as well as a Master’s Degree in Art & Archaeology from EPHE-Sorbonne. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Arts & Cultural Management from King’s College London.
After a career in art galleries across London and teaching art history at French universities, Tosca embarked on creating Art with Tosca to share her passion for art. In D.C., Tosca crafts and leads curated tours of the National Gallery of Art, highlighting the museum’s collection of masterpieces from the Italian Renaissance to Modern masters.
Tosca wants to make art history accessible, interesting and engaging by transporting guests through centuries of art, either from the comfort of home through numerous lectures and virtual events, or locally in Washington D.C. through the halls of the National Gallery of Art.

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

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1979314100757

John Singer Sargent and Amalia Kussner were two American artists who made waves on both sides of the Atlantic at the turn of the 20th century — and as their reputations soared, so did their ambitions. How did their paths converge in Edwardian London, where their portraits became emblematic of a new transatlantic elite? It's time to discover how these celebrated American painters from the Gilded Age carved out prestigious places in Britain’s art world — and left a legacy that crossed borders and class.

Join New York Adventure Club as we explore the intertwined careers of John Singer Sargent and Amalia Kussner, whose transatlantic trajectories from the American Gilded Age to Edwardian England reveal how two distinct artistic voices came to define portraiture for a new global aristocracy.

Led by Kathleen Langone, a distant relative of Kussner and author of The Miniature Painter Revealed: Amalia Kussner’s Gilded Age Pursuit of Fame and Fortune, our virtual exploration will include:

• A look at John Singer Sargent’s rise to prominence, from his Parisian training and the Madam X scandal to his celebrated role within London’s Royal Academy of Arts
• An overview of Amalia Kussner’s artistic evolution, from New York society’s favorite miniaturist to exhibiting in London under the praise of Sir John Millais
• A comparison of their portrayals of the “dollar princesses,” including Consuelo Vanderbilt and the Marlborough family, capturing the glamour and politics of transatlantic marriages
• A deep dive into The Book of Beauty, the 1902 publication featuring portraits by Sargent and Kussner — the only two American artists included in this royal coronation volume
• Contemporary press highlights and exhibition histories that documented their popularity and critical acclaim in Edwardian England

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Kathleen — 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 Kathleen
Kathleen Langone is a freelance writer and historical researcher whose work has been published in regional New England publications such as Boston magazine and various newspapers. She is also the host of People Hidden in History, a podcast that highlights fascinating people in the arts and politics who are unknown to the general public. She has been a speaker at museums, historical societies, libraries, the New York Adventure Club, and History Camp, frequently presenting about Amalia Kussner. She is now the author of Kussner's biography. She was born in Indiana, and some of her family’s history is part of the Indiana Historical Society collection. She currently lives in Middleton, Massachusetts.
https://www.kathleenlangone.com

Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Photo Credit: Main - Mrs. William Marshall Cazalet and Her Children, Edward and Victor, by John Singer Sargent (1900), Top Right - Madame von André, miniature by Amalia Kussner (1895). Middle Right - Amalia Kussner, photograph, cover of music Moon Moths (1897).
Categories: Virtual, Gilded Age

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1979329311252

While Nat King Cole (1919-1965) only lived a brief 45 years, he managed to encapsulate no less than three complete careers — a popular singer of his generation (who, single-for-single, hit-for-hit, outsold even his great friend, Frank Sinatra), one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time, and something he never anticipated: a role model for African American achievement who was embraced by three US Presidents and European royalty. This is story of one of the greatest entertainers of all time, who in the arch of his career, had not only changed the music industry, but also the very meaning of what it meant to be black in America.

Join New York Adventure Club as we explore the incredible music and career of Nat King Cole throughout his brief, but spectacular life.

Led by Will Friedwald, columnist for the Wall Street Journal and author of the biography Straighten Up and Fly Right: The Life and Music of Nat King Cole, our virtual analysis and discussion of the professional and personal life of Nat King Cole — the greatest hitmaker of all time — will include:

• A discussion around his early years in Alabama, and his early musical experiences such as playing keyboard in his father’s baptist church on the South Side of Chicago
• His triumph as the first African-American superstar, and the first black singer to cross over and reach the larger white pop audiences
• Stories surrounding his personal life, from marriages and family life, to his loves and his children — such as Natalie Cole, the daughter who followed in his footsteps to pop music superstardom
• His struggles with racism, including when a would-be-assassin shot a bullet into his home, and when an offshoot group of the Ku-Klux-Klan attacked him on stage in the middle of a concert
• Analyzing his unforgettable songs and big hits, from Straighten Up and Fly Right and Sweet Lorraine, to Mona Lisa and Nature Boy, to Unforgettable and Smile
• The final years of his tragically short life, which ended when he died of lung cancer at the age of 45 — the result of a lifetime’s addiction to cigarettes and tobacco products

Afterward, we’ll have a Q&A with Will — any and all questions about Nat King Cole 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 Will
Will Friedwald is a featured arts writer for The Wall Street Journal and Vanity Fair, and the award-winning author of ten books on music and popular culture, including the new Straighten Up and Fly Right: The Life and Music of Nat King Cole, as well as A Biographical Guide To The Great Jazz And Pop Singers, Sinatra: The Song Is You, Stardust Melodies, Tony Bennett: The Good Life, Looney Tunes & Merrie Melodies, and Jazz Singing. He has written over 600 liner notes for compact discs, received ten Grammy nominations, and appears frequently on television and other documentaries. He is also a consultant and curator for Apple Music.

Testimonials
"I liked everything: narration, slides, recordings, video - the whole works. Kudos to Will Friedwald." -Charles
"Mr Friedwald is very knowledgable and is a very good presenter." -Michael
"Presented information about the topic I never knew" -Kenneth
"Enthusiastic and knowledgeable presenter." -John
"Learned a lot about his life, lots of history." -Janet
"Interesting facts about his talents and business acumen. Will's affection for the subject was clear." -Barb
"All the good historical info about Nat’s life" -Paula
"Very thorough. The moderator was very vested in the subject matter." -Alan
"I love learning more about a great musician." -Marian
"I like the story of his life." -Arlene
"Will is extraordinarily knowledgeable with great anecdotes and clips." -Peggy
"Excellent overview of the career of Nat King Cole." -Kenneth
"I love hearing him sing! Great detailed information!" -Sarah
"Info about NKC's early life and all the stars who were his friend. I was inspired that his talent and grace overcame discrimination." -Patricia
"This was possibly the best event I have attended with you. It was so well organized, with such interesting clips and great commentary by Will. I thought I knew about Nat King Cole but there was so much I didn't know. What a fascinating fun event. Thanks so much!" -Susan
"Great subject. Well researched." -Larissa
"The knowledge provided by author Will Friedwald." -Dwight
"The unique clips on Nat Cole and the plethora of info told in a witty way." -Marlene
"Learned more about Nat Cole, one of my favorite singers. He always made singing look effortless." -Robin
"Blend of the artist with the story teller." -Dan
"All the clips from the TV shows of my youth. Presenter's love for Nat King Cole and passion for the subject matter." -Leigh
"It brought Nat into a real context as a great musician." -Robert
"Presenter was very knowledgable and had a friendly manner." -Michelle
"I love all the wonderful clips and new info!" -Joan
" Loved all the information that Will gave. The different clips from Nat King Coles career." -Laura
" It just doesn’t get better than Nat King Cole! As always, it was such a delight to see less-common footage. Will’s expertise as well as his obvious reverence for the subject made for a fun and moving program!" -Bee
" The presentation, videos and trivia about the subject." -Dwight
" Learning much more than I new about Nat King Cole" -Natasha
" Enthusiasm of presenter" -Fred
"I enjoyed learning more about Nat Cole, but I really enjoyed learning about the origin of, "Nature Boy," and Eden Ahbez. It's a beautiful son, and quite unusual." -Aleisha
"Excellent music and illuminating commentary!" -Heather
"Anything by Will Friedwald is excellent!" -Paula
"I like everything Will does and I will continue to sign up for his webinars. They are fun and very informative." -Linda
"I liked the personal connection the presenter had/has with the subject. I was impressed by the knowledge of the attendees and I plan to attend additional events by this presenter." -Marlene

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