'Women Who Inspired HBO’s The Gilded Age, Part 2: Mrs. Astor' Webinar

Tickets: $12 (includes access to the full replay for one week)

Click the link below to officially register for this experience:

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1955288934839

The American Gilded Age is often remembered for its titans of industry — the men who built railroads, banking empires, and fortunes that reshaped America. But just as influential were the women who operated behind the scenes and in the spotlight — steering society, challenging norms, and leaving legacies of their own. It's time to uncover the identities of these women and how their real stories stack up against the glamorous, high-stakes world depicted in HBO’s The Gilded Age.

Join New York Adventure Club for a three-part series exploring the real historical women who inspired Julian Fellowes’ The Gilded Age, and how their lives fueled the show’s iconic characters, social rivalries, and dramatic plotlines. In Part Two: Caroline Astor, we’ll explore the life of the social gatekeeper known as “The Mrs. Astor,” whose name became synonymous with New York’s elite and whose reign over high society set the rules others desperately tried to follow.

Led by NYC tour guide Ginny Poleman, this historical deep dive into the life of Caroline Schermerhorn Astor — the real-life figure who inspired the character of Mrs. Astor in The Gilded Age — will include:

• A look at Caroline's deep-rooted lineage, tracing her ancestry to New York’s Dutch aristocracy and how her pedigree reinforced her power
• Her strategic partnership with Ward McAllister, the Southern socialite who helped cement her position as the ultimate arbiter of taste and status
• A comparison between fact and fiction, examining how the show’s depiction of her clash with Bertha Russell mirrors real-life events — including Alva Vanderbilt’s grand ball and the Opera House rivalry
• Family drama behind the facade, from her daughters' high-profile marriages to the tragic fate of her son, John Jacob Astor IV, on the Titanic
• The legacy of her real estate empire, including her Fifth Avenue mansion, its demolition for the original Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, and the home she later shared uptown with her son

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Ginny — any and all questions are welcomed and encouraged!
Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay through one week after the entire series concludes.
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 after the series finale
****If the event has already passed, but it's been less than a week since the series finale, you can still register for it on our website's active replay section!

Women Who Inspired HBO’s The Gilded Age Series
Part 1: Alva Vanderbilt (Wednesday, December 3 @ 5:30pm ET)
Part 2: Mrs. Astor (Wednesday, December 10 @ 5:30pm ET)
Part 3: The Black Elite (Wednesday, December 17 @ 5:30pm ET)

About Ginny
Ginny Poleman is a graduate of Cornell University, a licensed NYC tour guide, docent for the Municipal Art Society, as well as an educational and costume collection guide for New York’s largest art museum. Additionally, she offers private tours for her own company, NYC Encounters, covering New York City Art, Architecture, and History. You can follow her on Instagram and Facebook at @Art_Encounters and @NYC.Encounters.

Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
This event is a Gilded Age-themed educational webinar organized by New York Adventure Club. It is not affiliated with HBO, Warner Bros. Discovery, Julian Fellowes, or any related entities. Our event is a fan-inspired experience, celebrating the cultural impact and historical themes explored in The Gilded Age series. Any references to The Gilded Age are purely for educational and entertainment purposes, and no official endorsement or sponsorship is implied. The Gilded Age and related trademarks are the property of their respective owners, and this event is an independent initiative by New York Adventure Club.
Categories: Virtual, Gilded Age