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" The century
and a half preceding the American Revolution, two
fairly distinct social and economic classes
developed in Colonial America. One, the
conservatives, composed of the rich and the
well-born of merchants, large landholders, and
money-lenders -- dominated every phase of colonial
life. " |
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"The term
"Victorian" quite literally describes events in the
reign of Queen Victoria (1832-1901) as well as a
small margin prior and after." Victorian America
1876-1913. The information within this section and
throughout the World of Society will reflect on
both periods. |
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The children
were adored and doted on by their parents,
relatives, nannies and nursemaids. They would be
dressed in their finest trousers and
pinafores, smothered with toys as well as given
elaborate parties. "Children's parties were often as
elaborate as the ones their elders gave for
themselves." |
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The Young
Ladies were sent to the finest boarding and
finishing schools, taught etiquette, music and dance
lessons, to be properly trained in widening their
acquaintance with the New York Society. Witness the social
triumph of these young ladies as they are introduced
to Society. From the moment she is born, the mother
prepares her daughter to be a true gentlewoman and
to marry well. |
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"From the time
she was young, a woman was groomed for this role in
life-dutiful wife and mother. Her coming out meant a
young woman completed her education and was
officially available on the marriage mart."
"Bank accounts were studied and ancestral lineages
inspected, if both were met with approval, then the
engagement was formalized." |
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These are the
women of high social standing, that would take their
duties seriously within the Society World. Among
these women , there were a few that were socially
ambitious that would compete in lavish
entertaining, grand balls, private receptions, weddings and
dinners, showing off their latest fashions from Paris
and display of wealth. |
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"These are the
men of large means in the City, among whom also the
level of education was high. The wives and
daughters of these men spend more than their income
upon an extravagant lifestyle as well as maintaining
a status-quo in the society world. How they obtain
it, as obtain it they do, heaven only knows." |
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| Section: |
All About the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous in New York |
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To be rich or not to be rich, that is the question.
"To be anybody
in New York society is out of the question unless a
family has a town house, a country seat, a villa at
Newport or Bar Harbor, a well-equipped stable and a
yacht. To this add an apartment in Paris, a town
house in London, and a huge bank account for the
ladies frivolities ." |
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"When
viewing the architecture of the period the term that
can best describe the age is "eclecticism", the
liberty to choose from many styles. As a result of
this eclecticism, styles came and went overlapping
and flowing one into another during the period we
call the Victorian Age." |
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| Section: |
Social and Informal Luncheons, Dinners and Afternoon Teas |
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In an informal
luncheon the invitations are generally sent only
a short time before the day for which the recipient
is invited and are written in the first person. The
afternoon tea was a name given to the British meal
taken mid-afternoon, comprising finger sandwiches,
scones cakes and pastries accompanied by tea. The
afternoon tea gave the hostess the opportunity
to display her finest silverware and china. |
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| Section: |
Recreation and Entertainment |
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During the summer months, the wealthy members of
society would go to their favorite spas and resorts,
such as Rockaway Beach, Newport, Bar Harbor, Long
Beach , Cape May, and Saratoga Springs, where their
days and nights were filled with social activities.
Lets not forget the theaters, the opera houses
of New York City , departures to Europe and other
major events. My goodness, did the world of society
ever sleep? |
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| Section: |
Restaurants and Hotels |
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A famous restaurant much frequented by the
fashionable ladies and gentlemen of the thirties and
forties was Taylor's, situated on the west side of
Broadway at the northwest corner of Franklin Street.
Delmonico's and Sherry's where the great society
balls and horse shows were enjoyed. The Waldorf
Astoria, the Astor House, and the Plaza hotel which
was to be the home of New York's blue blood and
riches. |
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The scenes of the great
ballrooms were of incomparable splendor. Costly,
rare perfumes, lavish costumes from France,
blinding jewels that dazzled
even the most distinguished guests--all this
splendid gaiety was a companion to
the Versailles-themed costume ball in New York.
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"It is a little
book entitled the "Social Register", which is
modestly put forth and well arranged list of the
members of New York society, with their residences,
club addresses and other useful information."
Some people might not choose to have their name
included, if they are not actively social. Also
those who have had too much adverse publicity, were
also excluded. Different guidelines for different
generations. |
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"It is in the
moment of deepest sorrow that etiquette performs its
most vital and real service. It is the time-worn
servitor Etiquette who draws the shades, who muffles
the bell, who keeps the house quiet, who hushes
voices and footsteps of sudden noises, who decrees
that the last rites be performed smoothly and with
beauty and gravity so the poignancy of grief may in
so far as possible be assuaged." |
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| Section: |
Transportation:1800s |
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"In the
beginning of the 19th century the main mode of
transportation was the horse and carriage. It wasn't
until the latter part of the century that railways
changed people's lives and habits. Carriages such as
Barouches, Landaus, Victories, Curricles and
Broughams, varied in body shape and number of horses
pulling them." |
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| Section: |
Literature of the Victorian Period |
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"Reading and
love of literature started early in the Victorian
home. It was found that a love of reading as a form
of entertainment at an early age would improve one's
mind and possibly even one's social position. Books
played a major role in the 19th century. One of the
authors that was held in much celebrity on both
sides of the Atlantic was Charles Dickens." |
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| Section: |
The Domestic Servant |
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Domestic
servants were employed by the upper-class families.
The size of any particular household's domestic
staff depended on the family's income. Neatness is
indispensable: a slovenly and inattentive servant
betrays a slovenly household. A hostess should never
reprove her servants in the presence of her guests,
it is cruel both to guest and servants and always
shows the hostess in an ill-natured light. |
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| Section: |
The Gilded Era |
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"Right after
the Civil War, there was a period in the United
States known as "The Gilded Age". Some families had
made great fortunes and they had the money and
leisure to indulge in conspicuous consumption and
indulgence in Society manners. As for who is in
Society and who is out of society, has changed over
the years. Some families who were once nobodies and
upstarts managed to become accepted in society." |
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"The social set of Brooklyn has finally realized
that you don't have to have a "Fifth or Park Avenue"
address to impress anyone....those who have made
this transition have found out....and bitterly so,
that while they were "somebody's" in Brooklyn they
wind up as "nobody's" in Manhattan." |
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