Gilded Age Spotlight: Ward McAllister

If your name wasn’t on the list, blame Ward.

Now, I know we usually shine a light on the American heiresses and their magnificent mansions, but this week I want to give a little attention to the man who… love him or loathe him… was one of the gatekeepers of Gilded Age society: Ward McAllister.

Ward was a self-appointed arbiter of taste, elegance, and who was or wasn’t worthy of a place at the dinner table. Quite literally. He famously said, “There are only about 400 people in New York society that matter,” and just like that, the infamous Four Hundred was born.

• Born in Georgia in 1827, McAllister studied law, travelled extensively in Europe, and developed what he considered ‘refined’ taste.

• He climbed New York society by aligning himself with Caroline Astor (yes, that Mrs. Astor), essentially serving as her social lieutenant.

• His job? To filter through the Gilded Age’s explosion of new money and decide who was ‘in’ and who most definitely was not.

• The ‘Four Hundred’ referred to the number of guests that could supposedly fit comfortably into Mrs. Astor’s ballroom. Of course, the number was entirely arbitrary, but it stuck.

• He was theatrical, opinionated, and controversial. And eventually, after publishing a rather self-important memoir (that upset nearly everyone), he was quietly pushed out of the very circle he’d helped define.

• Still, Ward McAllister gave shape to a moment in American history when who you were and how you behaved mattered almost as much as how many railroads your father owned!
  

  
  From Me to You
  
  I couldn’t help myself with this one because I’ve just launched The 400 over on Gilded Heiresses. But don’t worry! It is NOT exclusive or judgmental like Ward’s version. Quite the opposite, in fact. (thank goodness, right?!?)
  
  This 400 is a private Founders’ Tier where we gather salon-style (virtually, of course), and when you join, you’ll receive a personal video message from me, thanking you for becoming part of this very special circle.
  
  Your name will also be inscribed in the Founders’ Book, which will be preserved in the archives at Mapperton - so in generations to come, people will see that you were here at the start, helping bring these stories back to life.
  
  And once a year, we’ll gather for a virtual Gilded Heiresses supper club where we’ll cook from Alberta’s very recipes (which haven’t been published - so you might be the first to try them in over a century!).
  
  And yes… I’m cooking up a few other surprises too.
  
  Normally posts like this are just for paid subscribers, but I thought I’d tease you with what you’re missing… haha. You already know I’m obsessed with the Gilded Age and these extraordinary women—and I’d love for you to come along on the journey with me. xx Julie