Museum of the City of New York introduces app that lets you explore NYC’s Gilded Age

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, an era known as the turn-of-the-century, New York City saw a sudden surge in wealth being amassed and a new crop of millionaires like Andrew Carnegie, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and Jay Gould began transforming the city, for better or worse, flaunting their wealth like never before. Fifth Avenue became home to palatial mansions and high-end retail shops, much like what we see today on Manhattan’s prestigious street.

Following the continued success of their exhibition Gilded New York, the Museum of the City of New York has launched its first app called “A Walk Through Gilded New York.” Through a series of then-and-now photographs, users can travel back in time and get a feel for what historic sites like Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Opera were like during over 100 years ago. Narrated by Mr. Robot actress Grace Gummer, the app takes you inside the opulent homes of J.P. Morgan and others while also providing access to photos of extravagant costumes, jewelry, and furniture crafted during the time period.

Below is a preview of some of the cool images you can find in the app:

Harlan Erskine

Harlan Erskine

Download “A Walk Through Gilded New York” for iPhone or Android and see more stunning photos.