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New York Stories is a new series of talks and live interviews exploring the lives of the artists, influencers, and powerbrokers who have shaped the political and cultural landscape of New York City. Through personal stories, pivotal moments, and the history of institutions they built, challenged, or transformed, the series examines how these figures influenced New York’s past and continue to define its future.
“After a velvety oyster soup came shad and cucumbers, then a young broiled turkey with corn fritters, followed by a canvas-back with currant jelly and a celery mayonnaise,” wrote Edith Wharton in The Age of Innocence. In this illustrated talk, Carl Raymond, host of The Gilded Gentleman History Podcast, explores the significance of food and dining in Wharton’s life and work—examining where and how people dined, the dishes that graced the table, and the rituals of a formal dinner. The event will also feature Becky L. Diamond, author of The Gilded Age Cookbook, who will highlight recipes that bring the flavors of the era to life.
The Mount would like to thank Richard and Nedra Koplin for supporting the New York Stories series.
IMPORTANT EVENT INFORMATION:
- This one-hour talk takes place in The Mount’s Stable Auditorium, a 140-seat, climate-controlled, indoor venue adjacent to the parking lot.
- 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. To discuss arrangements, please contact us by phone: 413-551-5111 x5; or email: programs@edithwharton.org. For more information about accessibility, review The Mount’s accessibility webpage.
- A book signing will follow this talk. Books can be purchased at the event from The Mount Gift & Bookstore or in advance via Bookshop.org
- Questions? Email: programs@edithwharton.org; or phone: 413-551-5111 x2
Carl Raymond is a writer, lecturer, social and culinary historian, and host of The Gilded Gentleman History Podcast. In addition to his professional experience in opera, publishing, marketing, art auction houses, and performing arts management, Carl holds a diploma in culinary arts from the Institute of Culinary Education with further studies at New York’s French Culinary Institute, and he taught recreational cooking for eight years at New York’s acclaimed Astor Center. A licensed New York City tour guide since 2014, Carl can often be found on the streets of New York giving one of his popular tours, notably Edith Wharton’s New York, offered by Bowery Boys Walks.
Becky Libourel Diamond is a food writer, librarian, and research historian. Her most recent book, The Gilded Age Christmas Cookbook (2025), blends Gilded Age details and celebrity stories with historic holiday menus and recipes updated for modern kitchens. She is also the author of The Gilded Age Cookbook (2023), The Thousand Dollar Dinner (2016) and Mrs. Goodfellow: The Story of America’s First Cooking School (2012). She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Rider University and a Master of Library Service degree from Rutgers University. She has worked as a business librarian at Rutgers–New Brunswick since 2020. Her current project is a history of Philadelphia’s famous City Tavern restaurant, slated for a Fall 2026 release. She lives in Yardley, Pennsylvania.
