Top 20 Things The Gilded Age Gets Factually Right & Wrong

VOICE OVER: Emily Brayton

History meets drama in Julian Fellowes' lavish period piece! Join us as we examine the historical accuracies and creative liberties taken in HBO's "The Gilded Age." From authentic portrayals of old money versus new money conflicts to anachronistic teddy bears, we're separating fact from fiction in this opulent series. Our analysis covers the thriving Black elite, Thomas Edison's electrical innovations, the woman behind the Brooklyn Bridge, squeaky clean New York streets that weren't so clean, and Ward McAllister's social downfall. Which historical detail surprised you most?

  • #20: Teddy Bear
  • #19: The Squeaky Clean New York Streets
  • #18: The Steel Workers Strike
  • #17: Divorced Women Being Ostracized
  • #16: Ward McAllister's Downfall
  • #15: Mrs. Fishs Parties
  • #14: Peggy's Narrow Escape in Alabama
  • #13: The Woman Behind the Brooklyn Bridge
  • #12: The Temperance Movement
  • #11: Gladys Marriage to the Duke
  • #10: The Real-Life Figures
  • #9: The Black Press
  • #8: Agnes van Rhijns Employment of Peggy Scott
  • #7: The Statue of Libertys Hand
  • #6: Thomas Edison Lights Up New York City
  • #5: Segregation & Racial Animosity in the North
  • #4: Rapid Economic Growth & Influx of Immigrants
  • #3: Downstairs Happenings
  • #2: A Thriving Black Elite
  • #1: Old Money vs. New Money

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Tags:

Gilded Age HBO, historical accuracy, Julian Fellowes, old money new money, Black elite 1880s, Thomas Edison electricity, Brooklyn Bridge Emily Roebling, Ward McAllister, Mrs Astor, temperance movement, segregation North, Statue Liberty hand, railroad strike, Vanderbilt family, divorce ostracism, teddy bear anachronism, New York society, immigration growth, servants downstairs, Mrs Fish parties, historical drama, period piece accuracy,