Category Archives: An Age of Realism

Overview of the Gilded Age

In this online digital museum, you will find information and interesting facts about the Gilded Age. Be sure to browse through the various tabs to learn about the people, music, and film of the time.

Jack London Biography

In this biography, learn how Jack London’s adventurous life inspired his novels and stories.

Muckraking Journalist Jacob Riis and Gilded Age New York City

This lecture by Professor Daniel Czitrom from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts gives an overview of Jacob Riis. Watch the clips at the following marks for a look at some of Riis’s work and to get a sense of his purpose and relevance today: 20:38–25:10, 36:35–38:40, 45:02–47:35, and 50:56–52:16.

America’s Gilded Age led by ‘forgettable presidents’ in post-Civil War era

While the Gilded Age is remembered by many, the time period’s presidents are often overlooked. Read about them here.

Jim Crow Stories: Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

In 1896, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of “separate but equal” laws, which weren’t struck down until almost 60 years later in Brown v. Board of Education.

When Industrialists Got Rich, Architecture Went Wild

From white marble to gold, homes of the wealthy in the Gilded Age featured opulent details. Learn about the architects who built these extravagant homes.

Labor Wars in the U.S.

This detailed timeline describes several key conflicts in the historic struggle between prosperous industrialists and the workers whose labor drove their profits.

Extreme Dining in the Gilded Age

Wealthy Americans of the Gilded Age often indulged in extravagance—even when hosting dinner parties. This short article features important dinner etiquette for hosts and guests, and even includes a menu.

How the Santa Fe Railroad Changed America Forever

Often historically overshadowed by the first transcontinental railroad, America’s second transcontinental line had a lasting impact on the country’s landscape and economy, giving rise to major cities and introducing new industries. Explore this article to learn more.

Laughing at the Expense of Labor and Capital

For nearly fifty years, the American humor magazine Puck sent up politicians, industrialists, capitalists, and even laborers in sophisticated, thought-provoking cartoons. View this gallery of cartoons lampooning the extravagance of the gilded age.

Spanish American War

Read this overview of the Spanish American War and watch the related video about Theodore Roosevelt’s role in it.

Gilded Age Wives Set Philanthropy’s Gold Standard

The philanthropy of the wives of some of the richest men in American history supported universities, museums, and other institutions. They redefined the traditional role of wealthy women, setting a standard for today’s philanthropic community. Learn more in this short feature.

Experts Affirm That Coronavirus Is ‘Highly Unlikely’ To Be Food Risk

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists have been working to discover the risks and ways to protect our health, including the foods we eat. Read some of their findings in this article.

How Andrew Carnegie Turned His Fortune Into A Library Legacy

Steel magnate Andrew Carnegie was also a dedicated philanthropist who used his wealth to establish hundreds of public libraries. Listen to the story here.

Watchdog Photo Gallery

Muckraking journalists are keen-eyed observers unafraid to expose the truth—even at great risk to themselves. View images of the investigative work of journalists and writers who took on powerful entities, exposing corruption and protecting the interests of citizens.

Pullman Porters

The Pullman porters provided exemplary service at the height of luxury train travel in America. Their efforts to unionize and promote workers’ rights went beyond the picket lines to impact the Great Migration and the growth of the African American middle class.

Remembering Earthquake Shacks, San Francisco’s Original Tiny Houses

After the 1906 earthquake and fire that destroyed a large portion of San Francisco, refugee camps of very small houses were built. They were later moved to different parts of the city and some still exist today.

Critical Food and Farm Rules Have Been Rolled Back Amid Pandemic

Food safety regulations that were enacted after journalists raised the alarm over a century ago are becoming increasingly unlikely to protect today’s workers and consumers.