The Age of Invention

America’s Castles steps into the glorious Age of Invention. This tour showcases the imaginative estates built by America’s wealthiest visionaries during the years 1911-1929. America’s Castles: The Age of Invention would be useful for classes on American History, The History of Science and Technology, Architecture, Art History, American Culture and Economics. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

• Tudor
• advent
• agrarian
• allegorical
• altruistic
• apex
• bequeath
• boisterous
• conspicuous consumption
• depict
• elaborate
• embellish
• embodiment
• epitomize
• epoch
• evoke
• fastidious
• fetish
• fortuitous
• imposing
• melange
• microcosm
• ornate
• penchant
• philanthropy
• portico
• sanctuary
• yeoman

1. Discuss how the castles shown in the video, and castles all over the world, are embodiments of status for the powerful elite.

2. Discuss the differences between the Gilded Age of the late 19th century and the Age of Invention in the 1910s and 1920s.

3. The first two decades of the 20th century are called the Age of Invention. Why?

4. The Rockefellers named their estate Kykuit. What does this word mean? Can you think of any names in your area that are foreign based?

5. Discuss the different roles for Rockefeller women and Rockefeller men in the world of money and power.

6. Henry Ford’s legacy to America is more that just the automobile. Discuss how Ford revolutionized not only the car industry, but also the whole process of industrial production.

7. Discuss the English influence in Edsel Ford’s mansion.

8. Homes are a reflection of their owners. Discuss how Edsel Ford’s home reflected his persona.

9. Tire baron Frank Sieberling’s home was named Stan Hywet Hall. What does this name mean?

10. How did Frank and Getrude Seiberling’s favorite rooms reflect different aspects of their personalities?

11. What is landscape architecture?

12. Discuss the contributions of the Dodge brothers to the auto industry.

13. How and why were the Dodge brothers able to be successful in the auto industry?

14. Discuss the history of Mar-a-Lago.

15. What was so unusual about the upbringing of Margaret Meriweather Post?

16. How is a castle or any home for that matter, a biography?

1. Design your own castle.

2. Imagine that you are a landscape architect and have been hired to plan the grounds for a castle. Create a blueprint or artistic rendering of your plans.

3. Create a “freeze” like the one in Meadowbrook that tells the story of your life.

Related Videos