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Exploring the Gilded Age Mansions of Carnegie Hill

Southeast Corner of 86th Street & 5th Avenue (86th Street Side of Neue Galerie)
Jan 19 | Sun | 11 AM | $36.81
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When American steel tycoon Andrew Carnegie purchased a swath of property on Fifth Avenue at 90th Street at the turn of the 20th century, he raised many eyebrows across High Society — after all, that part of Manhattan was considered the boonies, too far uptown from the acceptable social center. But Carnegie's foresight eventually won out as other influential Americans soon followed with homes of their own. From the Carnegies, Whitneys, and Vanderbilts to the Posts, Huntingtons, and Rockefellers, it's time to uncover some of Fifth Avenue's turn-of-the-century mansions belonging to some of America's most powerful families of the early 20th century.

Join New York Adventure Club as we hit the streets and explore the Manhattan neighborhood of Carnegie Hill, best known for its wide range of historic homes and cultural institutions along Fifth Avenue between 86th and 98th Streets.

Led by NYC tour guide, Ginny Poleman, our curated path through New York’s most exclusive neighborhood dating back over a century will include:

A then-and-now comparison of the neighborhood using maps, illustrations, and vintage photos dating back to the 19th century A walk past world-class museums, including the Neue Galerie and the Jewish Museum, which were once private mansions Insider stories surrounding some of Fifth Avenue’s most notable families, including why Andrew Carnegie purchased up property around him; why Grace Vanderbilt moved uptown to the “gardener’s cottage”; and how banker Felix Warburg’s father-in-law wasn’t too happy with his gothic chateau-esque mansion A look at Beaux Arts architecture that defined the era that tied into the aesthetic of New York during the City Beautiful Movement A discussion of the architects who built the great mansions and museums along Fifth Avenue and beyond, such as Stanford White, CPH Gilbert, the team of Carrère & Hastings

See you there!

*Please bring a water bottle and comfortable pair of shoes as we’ll be doing a lot of walking!

**This tour concludes at Fifth Avenue and 94th Street

Venue: Southeast Corner of 86th Street & 5th Avenue (86th Street Side of Neue Galerie)

East 86th Street & 5th Avenue Map