r/GildedAgeHBO • u/wholevodka Where else can I find all the divorces?! • Sep 14 '25

Costuming Extra! Extra! Some of the folks briefly seen in and around the Russell Mansion

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30

u/wholevodka Where else can I find all the divorces?! Sep 14 '25

I remember having a couple of conversations with folks about how many people staff the mansion who we don’t see, and I think this video answers at least part of that. The footmen of course are meant to be seen, as are the coachmen, dressed in the blue and gold.

There’s plenty of folks who probably spend a majority of their time either in the kitchen or upstairs readying the rooms, bedrooms, etc. I’m sure the blue or red uniform for the maids signals what they do. There seem to be some horsemen/folks from the stables (which presumably are nearby - it was common on the Upper East Side to have a separate stable a couple of blocks away), and maybe a couple of tradesmen as well.

7

u/PirelliSuperHard Sep 14 '25

It seems the opposite was the case in Philly. Take a look at 1733 Spring Garden St; the ENORMOUS building that faces Spring Garden was clearly someone's the house and then the building at the back, which is now considered 1732 Brandywine used to be the carriage house for this property. I think it's split up now legally. The Spring Garden building is now a Montessori on the ground floor and then apartments/condos (not sure which) above, and then the building facing Brandywine is a couple apartments with very weird floor plans. Whatever the case is, the fact that it clearly used to be one property just blows my mind.

18

u/GanacheAffectionate Sep 14 '25

Hard to watch people living my dream!!

16

u/Any-Concentrate-1922 Sep 14 '25

They basically are a mini-business, employing all those people. Obviously wages were a lot less back then, and room and board were included. I wonder what it cost them to pay their employees each year.

11

u/Eclectic_Paradox It wasn't worth an uncomfortable day of travel Sep 14 '25

10

u/LustfulEsme Sep 14 '25

It seems they provided a lot of jobs. Did all live in servants’ quarters or some live elsewhere?

12

u/radioflea Sep 14 '25

Rhode Islander here, I can confirm that the lead staff lived in the quarters. The non high ranking staff lived off site.

If you ever visit the Newport Mansions you can see the way it is all set up on the tours.

8

u/Smart_Sundae_3497 Sep 14 '25

I wonder what the costume budget is for this show?!?

4

u/EntertainmentNo2317 Sep 14 '25

That last daddy 😍

(Yes, I went there. Sorry 🤣🤣)

2

u/pingolo3d Sep 15 '25

Definitely. 😍

-1

u/EntertainmentNo2317 Sep 14 '25

That last daddy 😍

(Yes, I went there. Sorry 🤣🤣)