Louise Levy, a lifelong student of American history, will talk about games and activities that brought people together in the Gilded Age. Instead of our traditional afternoon tea a dessert tea will follow along with an ice cream social.

What did people do for entertainment in the age before TV and cell phones? How did advancements in technology influence the way the leisure class spent their leisure time? Let’s take a look, literally, through the lens of time at stereographs, sports, and parlor games enjoyed by families like the Morgans as well as their working class neighbors. Please join us for an afternoon of community and camaraderie, Gilded Age style, inspired by objects in the Ventfort Hall Museum collection.

Louise Levy is a graduate of Syracuse University with a BA in Art History. She grew up in New Jersey and has made the northwest corner of Connecticut her home for over 30 years. Louise worked as a tour guide at Chesterwood in Stockbridge, MA for 15 years, giving tours and specialty talks ranging from cemetery symbolism to the civil rights movement. She joined the staff at Ventfort Hall over two years ago where she gives lectures on American art and history.

Type of Event: Tea & Talk

Date of Event: Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Time: 4:00 pm

Description: Fun and Games in the Gilded Age

Location: Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum, 104 WAlker Street, Lenox, MA 01240

Contact Persons: Linda Rocke, [email protected]; Chelsea Gaia, [email protected] 

Tickets are $45. Members receive a discount code for $5 off all ticket prices. Students 22 and under are $22. 

Ticket pricing includes access to the mansion throughout the day of this event from 10 am to 4 pm. Reservations are strongly encouraged as seats are limited. Walk-ins accommodated as space allows. For reservations visit https://gildedage.org/pages/calendar or call us at (413) 637-3206. Please note that all tickets are nonrefundable and non-exchangeable.