Social History
Social Diary• May 6, 2026

The Soul of the Theater

After the global spectacle of the Met Gala fade, we turn our attention to the true heart of New York’s theater culture. A look back at the institution where history is hung on the walls, and a personal memoir of the days I stood at the door and watched the legends walk through...

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April Chills and Golden Memories

Social Diary• April 30, 2026.
While the rain sets in over Manhattan, a look through boxes of "junk" reveals a chronicle of a party for the ages, hosted by the incomparable Judy Green — reminding us why her fabled "uptown to lowdown" mix was the best ticket in town... READ MORE
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Avian Dinosaurs and Ancient Sands: Celebrating the Legacy of Mark Norell at AMNH

Social Diary• April 22, 2026.
The opening of “Fossils of the Flaming Cliffs” at the American Museum of Natural History turned into a lively salon honoring the legendary curator Mark Norell for a night of high science and the highest character... READ MORE
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Sunday in the Park with a Fellow Diarist

Social Diary• April 13, 2026.
A perfect spring Sunday in Central Park brings to mind the 19th-century vision of George Templeton Strong. From the muddy "macadamization" of 1859 to the scandalous heights of the Jazz Age Casino, the Park remains a testament to long-term vision — and the bittersweet memories that linger in the air today... READ MORE
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The Prince of Pageantry: John Ringling North and the Ringling Legacy

Social History• April 10, 2026.
While Sarasota celebrates its latest cultural milestones, we revisit the brassy, mid-century reign of John Ringling North. This look at the 'Circus King' reminds us of the flamboyant spirit that built one of America’s most unique legacies... READ MORE
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Liza’s Shoulders: A Breed Apart

Social History• April 8, 2026.
With Liza Minnelli’s new memoir sparking headlines, Marc Rosen takes us behind the double-paneled doors of her most legendary chapters. From the “father-son talk” given to a confused Schnauzer to the wedding (delayed by “la Liz”) to David Gest, it is a hilarious and deeply personal look at a friendship lived in the brightest of lights... READ MORE
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DINNER AT ELSIE’S: MEETING A YOUNG CONGRESSMAN NAMED JACK KENNEDY

Social History• March 31, 2026.
Dinner at Elsie’s: An exclusive, never-before-told story from the unfinished autobiography of Arlene Dahl. A rare look at a rumpled, charismatic young Jack Kennedy during his Hollywood dating years... READ MORE
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THE BARKEFELLERS: A Sunday Night Dinner for Eight Including Ned

Guest Diary• March 27, 2026.
Ned the Newfoundland is back by popular demand. He was the star of Steven M. L. Aronson’s much-read Guest Essay, famously serving as the catalyst for a “catfight” between Maxime de la Falaise and a fellow guest. In this latest installment, Ned finds himself in even more rarefied air, competing with a Rockefeller for the title of “top dog.... READ MORE
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The Frick: A Second Act for the Second Floor

House• March 25, 2026.
Following yesterday’s coverage of The Frick Collection's Young Fellows Ball, we’re taking a deep dive into the history of 1 East 70th Street. Nearly fifteen years ago, we were granted rare access to the mansion’s second floor — not as a gallery, but as a bustling administrative hub. Today, we revisit those archival "before" images to celebr... READ MORE
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The Best Dressed House on Park Avenue

House• March 6, 2026.
A daily stroll past 85th Street always demands a second look at the singular beauty of 1015 Park Avenue. An Ernest Flagg masterpiece of "Colonial patrician" style, the house remains a rare survivor of a more personal New York. Today, we revisit its history and the extraordinary photo archives that documented its birth over a century ago... READ MORE
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Lizabeth Scott: A mid-20th century Hollywood “star” I came to know

Social Diary• February 10, 2026.
As awards season hums with modern noise, DPC revisits a "Hollywood friendship" with the husky-voiced siren of the silver screen. From her debut alongside Barbara Stanwyck to meandering drives through Beverly Hills in her Jag, DPC captures the serious business of being a star... READ MORE
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The Rise and Rocky Fall of the Corsair IV: J.P. Morgan’s Princess of the Sea

Social History• January 30, 2026.
Originally chronicled by Michael Grace, we revisit the $60 million rise and rocky fall of J.P. Morgan’s "Corsair IV." This updated classic explores the “Princess of the Sea,” her transition into a post-war luxury liner, and the legendary day a young Lucius Beebe decided to redecorate the Morgan flagship from the window of a chartered airplane... READ MORE
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Marjorie Merriweather Post’s Mansion on Rails

Social History• January 28, 2026.
Long before the Gulfstream, Marjorie Merriweather Post traveled the rails in a private mansion known as the 'Hussar'. From wood-paneled dining rooms to a steward for every whim, see why the Gilded Age elite preferred the rhythm of the rails to the recirculated air of today... READ MORE

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