The British are coming!
After failing twice – Revolution (1775-1783) and War of 1812 (1812-1815) – Victoria's reign (1837-1901) cast a spell of elegance over the States.
“Third time’s the charm” as they say. American society surrendered to Victorian charm, embracing lifestyle, fashion, culture, and refined taste – laying groundwork for the Gilded Age excess. Both cultures are forever integrated. After all, the people of the U.S are still the descendants of the British.
The Victorian Era was a time of lifestyle, fashion, culture and rich taste; which later on lead to the Gilded Age. As quickly as Queen Victoria reigned, the Victorian Era took the World by storm. Former colonies basked in British glory; wealthy Americans competed wildly – building lavish country estates like my future home, Lynnewood Hall in Pennsylvania. Hence, they adopted Victorian culture and its ways. The United States, did not get its own identity not until the beginning of the 20th with the Industrial Revolution.
These grand Victorian-style mansions boasted fancy furnishings, specialized rooms, chimneys, and armies of servants – symbols of status and opulence.
The era was marked by grandeur. Newport Mansions pierced the Rhode Island sky with turrets and spires. San Francisco's Painted Ladies dazzled with vibrant color and intricate woodwork. Winchester Mystery House in San Jose whispered secrets through labyrinthine corridors and staircases to nowhere.
After 2 long bloody wars, the people of the United States and Britain; amiably shared Art & culture, fashion, technology and religion.
The well to do/the middle class and the wealthy in America, were constantly trying to outdo one another in a battle of opulence. The rich and wealthy made it a sport to build large country estates in the suburbs, which were built to emulate Victorian homes in the United Kingdom. Victorian homes were lavishly draped in fancy furnishing, many rooms with specified purpose, chimneys, and servants.
As I sit in my London parlor, surrounded by velvet drapes and crackling fireplaces, curiosity beckons – shall I venture into this captivating Victorian America?
Where culture, art, and excess reign supreme, and Americans have adopted British mannerisms, fashion, and even accents – a true conquest of hearts and minds.
I've heard tales of American high society embracing Victorian traditions. Afternoon tea parties with delicate China and finger sandwiches. Formal balls, and so on.
A deliciously dramatic topic, indeed!
In the gilded halls of Manhattan's Upper East Side, a bitter feud brews between.
The Old Guard:
The Astors, who’s grand Fifth Avenue mansions pierce the sky.
The Vanderbilts, with wealth inherited from railroad empires.
The Rockefellers, whose oil fortune fuels their lavish lifestyles.
These blue-blooded families scorn the…
Nouveau Riche:
The Carnegies, steel magnates with abrupt, unrefined wealth.
The Morgans, banking tycoons accused of lacking aristocratic grace.
The Rothschilds, Jewish financiers deemed "outsiders" by old money snobs.
The feud escalates over; invitation lists to exclusive balls. I love the drama.
Well, I live for it.
