Join us for a captivating series of talks delving into the history and legacy of some of New York City’s most iconic institutions, spaces, and landmarks. From the architecture of the Gilded Age to the preservation of historic neighborhoods in the twentieth century, this series invites art and architectural historians to present the stories behind New York’s distinctive urban and cultural landscape, highlighting the vision, innovation, and determination that built Old New York. 

When Edith Wharton and Ogden Codman, Jr. published The Decoration of Houses in 1897, both were relatively unknown in their respective fields. The decorating guidebook, which advocated for a “simple and architectural” style, became a foundational text for interior decoration as well as the launchpad for Wharton’s transatlantic literary acclaim. This conversation between Wharton scholar Dr. Emily Orlando and architectural historian Dr. R. Tripp Evans, explores the history and legacy of The Decoration of Houses, highlighting its influences on the design of The Mount and the decades-long relationship between Codman and Wharton, a duo known socially as “Mr. and Mrs. Puss-Cod.” 

A complimentary wine and cheese reception will follow this talk! Join us.

Dr. Emily Orlando is Professor of English and the E. Gerald Corrigan Chair in the Humanities and Social Sciences at Fairfield University. She is an internationally recognized Edith Wharton scholar and author of the award-winning book Edith Wharton and the Visual Arts. She is the co-editor (with Meredith Goldsmith) of Edith Wharton and Cosmopolitanism (2016), The Bloomsbury Handbook to Edith Wharton (2022), and the 2024 re-release of The Decoration of Houses (Syracuse University Press, 2024) by Edith Wharton and Ogden Codman, Jr., for which she also wrote a scholarly introduction. Orlando is a past president of the Edith Wharton Society, and her public-facing scholarship has appeared in such venues as LitHub and on such podcasts as “The Gilded Gentleman.” 

Dr. R. Tripp Evans is Professor of the History of Art at Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, where he specializes in American material culture of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He earned his B.A. in Architectural History from the University of Virginia and his M.A. and Ph.D. in the History of Art from Yale University, where he was named the Henry S. McNeil Fellow in American Decorative Arts. He is the author of three books, and in 2010 received the Marfield Prize for his biography of the artist Grant Wood. His latest book, The Importance of Being Furnished: Four Bachelors at Home (Rowman & Littlefield, 2024), explores the private and professional worlds of men whose homes defined American style from the Gilded to the Jazz Ages. 

This event is sponsored by Nedra and Richard Koplin, who wish to thank all of those associated with The Mount as they continue to build its historic legacy.

TICKETS ON SALE MAY 12!
National Committee Members’ pre-sale starts April 29
Members’ pre-sale starts May 5

$10 – Mount Members
$15 – General Admission
Free for Students

Interested in becoming a Member? Join today.

• This one-hour talk takes place in The Mount’s Stable Auditorium, an indoor, climate controlled venue adjacent to the parking lot. Limited accessible parking is available in front of the Stable.
• A complimentary wine and cheese reception will follow this event.
• Seating for all programs at The Mount is first come, first served. If you have seating preferences, we recommend arriving fifteen minutes early.
• Accessible seating is available! Please phone us in advance to discuss arrangements: 413-551-5111; ext. #2
• A book signing will follow this talk. Books can be purchased from The Mount Bookstore at the event or online from Bookshop.org.

Questions? Email: programs@edithwharton.org

What accessibility accommodations does The Mount offer? The Mount is a Massachusetts Cultural Council UP designated organization welcoming participants of all disabilities. Please contact us by phone: 413-551-5100 or by email: info@edithwharton.org to discuss accommodations needed to participate fully in this event. Golf carts will be available to shuttle those with mobility concerns between the parking lot and event venue. View The Mount’s Health and Safety Guidelines.