We will not be accepting registrations after 5 PM on Thursday, 1/20.

Hosted by NY Adventure Club

Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Edith Wharton's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Age of Innocence, with a glimpse into Wharton’s life and the private inner world of the New York Gilded Age.

While 19th-century social reformers like photographer Jacob Riis helped show the world what life was really like for NYC's poorest residents, nobody was able to breach the tight-knit circles of New York's richest, who enjoyed lives of incredible wealth and privilege. Nobody, that is, until one woman inside their ranks decided to shed light on the inner workings of this secretive American aristocracy — this is the story of Edith Wharton and the New York she knew.

Led by Carl Raymond — writer, lecturer, licensed NYC tour guide, and host of The Gilded Gentleman history podcast — our digital showcase of the New York life of Edith Wharton will include:

A historical overview of Edith Wharton, from her privileged upbringing in New York's 19th-century elite social class, to frequent European travels and residency, to her sensational writings and novels
A discussion around where Edith's most famous characters lived, and stories surrounding key NYC locations — some of which are still standing — in Wharton's writings including the famed Academy of Music, Tiffany & Co, and Wallack's Theatre
Vintage and contemporary photographs of 19th-century New York locations that were used as settings for her novels and stories, including Union Square, Washington Square Park, and Gramercy Park
A brief overview of the New York mentions in her masterpiece novels, The Age of Innocence and The House of Mirth, which provided insider knowledge of the hidden social dynamics amongst New York's richest and most powerful families
Afterward, we'll have a Q&A session with Carl — any and all questions about Edith Wharton are welcomed and encouraged