Long Island Gold Coast Mansions & Estates of the Great Gatsby Era

The North Shore of Long Island was where many millionaires built elaborate mansions on huge estates in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The media of the period, which wrote about and photographed the extravagant world of the very rich at the time called it the “Gold Coast.” Estates on vast acreage and mansions with up to 100 rooms in numerous architectural styles were constructed. They also were opulently decorated with fine antiques and rare artworks. These mansions were also surrounded by luxurious gardens, pool houses, tennis houses, stables, and some with working farms.

These magnificent settings, built for weekend retreats from New York City were the scene of sports activities such as polo, horse shows, yachting, fox hunting, golf and tennis, during the day and then glittering parties in the evening lasting until day break. This was the world that most people know about through F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, The Great Gatsby.

Sadly, many of these estates and mansions are no longer existing, demolished by fire and bulldozers, their memory only lives on in photos and books. It was a time of excessive grandeur and playfulness, and while it was only yesterday, it seems as far away as the court of Versailles. Architect, Author & Historian Gary Lawrance, will give a digital exploration of the magnificent estates and mansions of Long Island’s Gold Coast — one of the world’s premier collections of glamour, luxury, and architectural achievement.

Gary Lawrance is an architect from Stony Brook, New York. His firm, Lawrance Architectural Presentations, provides classic architectural models as well as 3D computer models and renderings. Mr. Lawrance has an extensive background in the history of Gilded Age architecture, landscapes, and society, and co-authored the bestselling book, Houses of the Hamptons 1880-1930 with Anne Surchin (Acanthus Press 2007, Revised 3rd Printing 2013). He has lectured on the lost architecture of the Gilded Age for historical, garden, preservation, arts, and architecture groups for over thirty years, and curates an annual symposium on the Gilded Age at Lyndhurst Castle, Tarrytown, New York. Mr. Lawrance’s work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Hamptons Cottages & Gardens, New York Social Diary and has written for Architectural Digest and Quest Magazine. He also manages the popular Instagram account mansionsofthegildedage. Mr. Lawrance is currently working on his next book, Houses of Palm Beach, 1900-1950.

Free for ICAA Members. $20 for General Public.

REGISTER

Registration will close 1 hour prior to the event.

This event is hosted by an ICAA Chapter. Please check the Chapter website or contact the Chapter directly, for the most up-to-date details including dates, times, and pricing.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the creation, design and layout of late 19th century/early 20th century country estate and house architecture.
• Learn about the landscape architecture and how the siting of the house blended into the existing landscape or adapted to the landscape to achieve a desired effect.
• Understand the relationship of architect and client while designing and building a country estate and residence.
• Explore the adaptive reuse/preservation of estates and residences to serve other needs once no longer used as a residence.

AIA Provider Information

Please click here for additional AIA Continuing Education Provider Information:

Instructional Delivery Method: Live Online Learning Program

Program Level: Introductory

Prerequisites: None required

AIA CES Program Approval Expiration Date: April 15, 2024

Provider Number: G193

Provider Statement: The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number G193. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES ([email protected] or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3).

This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.

AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.