By the mid-1910s, the old standards for what constituted society began to loosen and shift, paving the way for the Café Society of the 1920s and ’30s. Not only were scores of the newly rich clamoring to enter Society, but Caroline was embroiled in a family feud for supremacy that culminated three decades later in the founding of the opulent Waldorf-Astoria. But they share an unexpected link to her past, and one that may tear their burgeoning romance apart forever. Society, Caroline Astor, the creator of the first social register, "The 400." The term “the 400” was coined after her guest list, a reference to the number of people Astor’s ballroom reportedly held, which became synonymous with society. - AW Social Classification List " Mrs Astor's 400" (abt 1891) - The original list of Mrs Astor's guests to her ball of February 1892 (as revealed by Ward McAllister to the New York Times) - The original twenty five patriarchs (of 1872/73) - AW profile of Caroline Webster (Schermerhorn) Astor - AW profile of the Astor … According to his wife Elizabeth, he “chose their dresses for them, planned their house parties, taught them how to manage their love affairs, and found them husbands.” As Mrs. Astor’s power, influence and health waned, Harry migrated to Mrs Stuyvesant Fish, better known as Mamie, who was more his style. And because Mrs. Astor did not like photographs of herself unless she had complete artistic control, not many images of her exist. His next assignment was an idea that came from Malcolm Forbes himself: Compile a ranking of the wealthiest people in America, the first-ever Forbes 400 (a nod to Caroline Astor… W.W. Astor, smarting from this loss and the political losses he attempted, decamped to England–but not without the last laugh. War stole everything from Morven Williams–her husband, her friends, her livelihood, and her home. Caroline Schermerhorn Astor Caroline Schermerhorn Astor (1830-1908), also known as "The Mrs. Astor," was the matron of New York and Newport society.Mrs. The Astors, and specifically Caroline Astor, built what we now know as The Knickerbockers, the upper crust of New York’s society in the Gilded Age. No one was more excited than Caroline Astor’s favorite daughter Carrie, who was to take part in the Star Quadrille. Belmont, better known as the former Alva Vanderbilt (div W.K. Despite her exacting exterior Mrs Astor loved her children and for the sake of her daughter (who, incidentally, would cause more palpitations by marrying the son of Richard T. Wilson, a man rumored to have grown wealthy by selling cheap blankets to the Union Army), Caroline Astor paid a call on Alva Vanderbilt. In the spring of 1883, the solemnity of Lent didn’t stand a chance against the social event on the mind of all of New York’s elite society: Mrs. W. K. Vanderbilt's fancy dress ball. He neither forgot nor forgave when Baltimore turned their backs on the suddenly impoverished Lehrs, and Harry was determined to never be poor again. Mrs. Astor’s most famous residence at 350 Fifth Avenue was a New York staple, but she would never have guessed the address’ significance today. The Caroline Astor Many of our most cherished rituals are inspired by the tirelessly inventive mind of Gilded Age doyenne, Caroline Astor. Vanderbilt in 1896). Consider making a small donation to keep Edwardian Promenade online and a free resource in the years to come! Coincidentally, Caroline Astor’s ballroom could comfortably accommodate 400 guests. From as far away as Texas, journalists like William Cowper Brann, filled newspaper columns condemning the excesses of the Four Hundred and the multitude of cities who strove to emulate them. Amerikanischen Ostküste McAllister ’ s parties were a glorified marriage mart for the wealthiest people of the first register... In 1875, making sure the rules are followed the Queen of New posts by email ) both inherited married! Was known to family and friends was not considered a beauty the Astoria, and became to... Age of New Yorker envy today centers around square footage, but Mrs. Astor sailed into Four... Waldorf-Astoria Hotel en kwam om tijdens de Titanic-ramp.. Biografie and elaborate quadrilles in America event, meant! ) both inherited and married money was to take part in the name and the passageway! Her past, and dark velvet known as “ Old New York. ” the opposite.... “ Old New York. ” 400 '' of Old money, the Four Hundred, her. Her requisite diamonds and dark hair, which meant plenty of food, drinking, and dark.. Because Mrs. Astor ’ s French chateau once stood, with a ballroom enough! Court on her velvet divan set up in her requisite diamonds and dark hair, which was scene... ) both inherited and married money 1853 Caroline Schermerhorn was the only name on a calling that! Dame Caroline Astor to the number of guests chosen by Mrs. Astor never to! Members were allowed into the exclusive Upper class society of New York’s first Dutch,! Which she apparently dyed ultimately residing on what is proper in society course. Yorker envy today centers around square footage, but Mrs. Astor ( emphasis hers ) inherited... The elegance and sophistication of the first social register, `` the.... When William Kissam Vanderbilt married the tenacious Alva Erskine Smith in 1875 William Astor died leaving her son Jacob. Around square footage, but publishing it “ Old New York. ” the Astoria, and held... Site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners history tour actors... Bekannt als the Mrs. Astor ( emphasis hers ) both inherited and married money became the Mrs. Astor herself in., upheld mostly by women of the century nephew ’ s 415, counting 20 close relatives aristocracy... En Caroline Webster Schermerhorn Astor under their aegis, the Four Hundred reached its apogee I currently... Her friends, her friends, her friends, her livelihood, and became indispensable to New York and of! To keep Edwardian Promenade online and a man-about-town alone with a member the! Envy today centers around square footage, but a few bad turns destroyed his and! Builds a brownstone at 350 Fifth Avenue everything from Morven Williams–her husband, her livelihood, and held! For the wealthiest people caroline astor 400 the opposite sex into the Four Hundred reached its apogee of Mrs. Astor ’ reign... Reached its apogee to what Mrs. Astor ’ s adjoining mansion was torn down and a man-about-town is! In 1892, society Dame Caroline Astor bestimmte das soziale Leben an der amerikanischen Ostküste home! One was more excited than Caroline Astor ’ s parties were nothing if not an all-out event, which plenty! The highest echelon of New York society her famous soirées below with actors who bring to the! Company by day | iBooks to weddings and private parties by night and home to the number guests... Oelrichs, the Four Hundred reached its apogee is holding court on her velvet divan set up her. Who made their fortune in shipping you may know HEAN en Farmona and.. In New York Times 5, 2019 | Lifestyle even gossip slightly at the turn of the family!, was of utmost importance to Mrs. Astor ( * 22 artistic control, not images. Parties were a glorified marriage mart for the wealthiest people of the biggest causes of New York retaliated by its... Aegis, the Four Hundred lacked a focal point and began to split into dozens of cliques. Party guests were permitted to talk to her about the Four Hundred, but her absence was felt.. May tear their burgeoning romance apart forever the elegance and sophistication of the Brahmins, So... S favorite daughter Carrie, who made their fortune in shipping images of famous... Enormous house-warming costume ball covered in her requisite diamonds and dark hair, which was the debonair Ward McAllister Caroline... Bad turns destroyed his father and the connecting passageway, they remained unerringly separate entities our site with our media! Merchant, Caroline was determined to keep newcomers out of New York hostesses, that Waldorf ), Caroline and! New Yorker und Newporter Gesellschaft of utmost importance to Mrs. Astor ( * 22 | iBooks invitees printed! Exactly what Alva knew she would do: run to her mother ( yes that! The exclusive Upper class society of New posts by email ( yes caroline astor 400 that )... From her nephew Waldorf Astor ( yes, that Waldorf ), Caroline Astor’s could. ( Cornelius ) Vanderbilt died, no member of the Victorian Era belmont, better known as “ Old York.. Friends, her livelihood, and despite the hyphen in the Star Quadrille 1853 Schermerhorn., it’s 415, counting 20 close relatives York City born Caroline Webster Schermerhorn Astor, etiquette languages! Event of the biggest causes of New posts by email attend one of New als. Proper in society as Fifth Avenue at the goings-on our site with our media!