Bucks County Community College invites the public to sample “Music and Gossip in the Gilded Age,” a free, live online lecture, on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m.
Join Professor Margaret Montet in this multimedia presentation about the unique era of American history between the end of the Civil War and the beginning of World War I.
“During this time, technological and cultural innovations changed the lifestyles of the successful few and the many who struggled,” said Montet. “This multimedia lecture will explore the ‘new normal’ for the rich, the poor and those in-between.”
Montet said there are many surprises that she’ll reveal.
“For one example, none other than Mark Twain came up with the ‘Gilded Age’ as a name for this period,” she said. “I’ll tell the audience why.”
Montet, who is also a travel writer, visited the three main locations in this lecture: New York City; Newport, Rhode Island; and Chicago. She said these visits gave her a fuller understanding of the people, their lifestyles and their challenges.
“We’ll visit the fabulous mansions of Newport, Hull House in Chicago, and many iconic sites in New York and elsewhere,” added Montet. “We’ll meet innovators and trendsetters such as the Vanderbilts, Mamie Fish, Jane Addams and Edith Wharton. And music! We’ll listen to music popular at the time, including Ragtime, Blues, operetta and art music.”
Montet has also presented lectures at Bucks on the Harlem Renaissance, the life of J.S. Bach, World War II, and American music from the Revolution to 1920.
Montet, who holds a master’s degree in library science, is a librarian at Bucks, where she uses the newest technology to teach information literacy skills to students and faculty. She’s also a creative nonfiction writer who explores topics that make life interesting – travel, food, music and learning – and holds an MFA in creative writing from Cedar Crest College. In addition, Montet started playing the clarinet at age 10 and has been devoted to music ever since.
The live event is free, but registration is required at bucks.edu/tickets. Upon registration, the link to view the lecture online will be sent by email.
