The Smithsonian presents a collection of sixty pieces of art from the Gilded Age period in America. Works are included by such artists as Sargent, Thayer, Bannister, Beaux, and others.

The resources here, including letters, photographs, official documents, and maps, represent the exodus of African Americans from the South to the Great Plains in the late 1800s.

Digital facsimile of The Circus Procession, published in 1888. This rhyming tale of a parade of funny animals, clowns, and a fairy queen perfectly captures the essence of a favorite Gilded Age amusement, the traveling circus.

A timeline that lists major events in culture, military, industry, and politics across three-quarters of a century.

This site from Musicals101.com explains the emergence of vaudeville and burlesque from the middle class needs of industrialized America. Part II explains what makes up a vaudeville act.

An interesting interview with Robyn Muncy, a Professor of History, about Addams and the philosophy of the women who started the Hull House.

Excerpt from U.S. Strike Commission Report. Site also provides focus questions at the bottom.

This PBS site follows undercover journalist Nellie Bly (1864-1922) on her 72-day journey in 1889 around the world.

The Smithsonian American Art Museum offers this introduction to American artist Abbott Handerson Thayer, who is known for his idealized and other-worldly depictions of women, angels, and nature. Read a brief biography of the artist, then...

As the American population became more literate, there was more available to read. See how newspapers adapted to the thirst for news and other topics, and read about the new magazines that reached a reading public.

Information about the changes made to the format of the newspaper by Joseph Pulitzer can be found at this site. The information includes details about the methods of printing, the use of illustration, and the use of only one headline for...