In appreciation of the architecture, interior design, art work, and landscape design

of many of the grand estates created during The Golden Age.

These achievements occurred during the Gilded Age (1870–1910), when newly minted captains of industry in finance, railroads, steel, and philanthropy flourished. The mansions and acreage, modeled on the palaces and castles of Europe, were built to secure a family’s social status and provide impressive settings for grand parties, weddings and social events. Acclaimed architects such as Francis Burrall Hoffman, Jr., Richard Morris Hunt and Stanford White designed impressive homes that borrowed heavily from European styles. This included Renaissance, Beaux-Arts, and Gothic Revival influences. Builders used luxurious materials, such as imported Italian marble and custom-designed stained glass. The lavish interiors were filled with expensive antiques, art, and furniture collected from around the world. In a sense, works of art on a grand scale were imagined and created. These treasures have lasted for generations.