Gilded Age Balls

During the Gilded Age, there were two main types of ball – private balls and public balls. Folks like the Asters, Morgans, and Vanderbilt’s held regular private balls. So did the Emery’s on Calumet Island in the Thousand Islands. The Emerys had the only private ballroom in the area, so attending their balls was a great honor.

But how did one plan a private ball? After all, it was an invitation-only event, unlike the public balls as hotels and resorts. The hostess would carefully choose her guests, send out invitations, and most would reply yes. An impeccable menu was planned, an orchestra hired, and everything made ready for the special social event.

Balls typically started around nine and lasted until five the next morning! There would be a half-dozen dances before they’d serve dinner around midnight, followed by another half-dozen or so dances before they’d serve breakfast or at least a snack. Fine china, silver, and crystal was a must, and elegant refreshments stood at the ready. But no one sat—it was more of a fancy buffet with the finest foods and desserts imaginable.

A Waltz Ball was a bit shorter, from about nine in the evening until two or three the next morning. There would always be an orchestra, often with just four instruments—the piano, violin, violincello or harp, and a cornet. The Viennese Waltz was a favorite, and so were group and couple dances such as The Grand March, The March in File, and The Star. This was the kind of ball the Emerys hosted.

Ballroom dancing provided socialization and entertainment, and singles were happy to take part, if only for one dance. But by the 1870s, ballroom dancing became “old fashioned” by the young, and mastering the long list of dances such asthe Polka, Mazurka, Schottische, and Redowa became less and less important. By World War I, a new, freer form of dance was emerging, one the old guard thought scandalous.

But even today, ballroom dancing is not only an international competition but also a fun pastime for many who love its elegance and beauty. In Peyton’s Promise, details of the Emery’s private ball will bring this all to light.

About Peyton’s Promise:

Summer 1902

Peyton Quinn is tasked with preparing the grand Calumet Castle ballroom for a spectacular two-hundred-guest summer gala. As she works in a male-dominated position of upholsterer and fights for women’s equality, she’s persecuted for her unorthodox ways. But when her pyrotechnics-engineer father is seriously hurt, she takes over the plans for the fireworks display despite being socially ostracized.

Patrick Taylor, Calumet’s carpenter and Peyton’s childhood chum, hopes to win her heart, but her unconventional undertakings cause a rift. Peyton has to ignore the prejudices and persevere or she could lose her job, forfeit Patrick’s love and respect, and forever become the talk of local gossips.

About Susan:

Susan G Mathis is an international award-winning, multi-published author of stories set in the beautiful Thousand Islands in upstate NY. Susan has been published more than twenty-five times in full-length novels, novellas, and non-fiction books. She has nine in her fiction line including Peyton’s Promise. Find out more at www.SusanGMathis.com.

The Emery’s Grand Ball

By Susan G Mathis

During the Gilded Age, hundreds of wealthy families from New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and a dozen other urban areas fled the sweltering city life for the refreshing beauty of the Thousand Islands. Here they built castles, mansions, and grand summer homes or summered in extravagant resorts such as The New Frontenac Hotel.

Whether in a public or private setting, balls were an important part of their society life, whether in the summer or winter. In the Thousand Islands, it was a great way for the upper class to stay connected to those they already knew or meet other wealthy folks who summered in the islands but lived in cities far and wide.

On the weekend, balls were a special event. Many were public, hosted by local hotels and resorts. A few were private galas, such as the one hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Emery, in August 1902.

Calumet Castle on Calumet Island had the largest privately owned ballroom in all of New York State! The Emerys invited two hundred guests, and the New York Times even reported on the illustrious event.

Guests, including one of Queen Victoria’s former ladies in waiting, arrived at the island’s main dock and were escorted along a scenic walk through the woods up to the castle where they glimpsed the beautiful edifice for the first time. The pink sandstone towers and orange terra-cotta roofs had to be impressive. Massive stone steps led to a large veranda high above the treetops and river for scenic views of the gardens and river beyond. From there they could view the village of Clayton and the imposing New Frontenac Hotel downriver.

Upon entering the castle ballroom, flowers decorated every corner, art nouveau furnishings graced the large room, and the orchestra played from the balcony. The violin, piano, violincello, and cornet blended in perfect harmony as the orchestra played from the inner balcony. The waltzing couples skirted each other as they glided gracefully around the room. Dancers twirled and moved like flowers until late into the night.

After the ball, an elaborate fireworks display from one of the smaller islands in front of Calumet was accompanied by ten thousand Japanese lanterns and hundreds of boats floating on the mighty St. Lawrence River. Indeed, it had to have been an experience that rivaled the balls of the Vanderbilts and others. And Peyton was a part of it all.

Have you been to a ball? Tell me more. Leave your answer or comments on the post below and join me on October 19th for my next post.

About Peyton’s Promise

book 3 of the Thousand Islands Gilded Age series

Summer 1902

Peyton Quinn is tasked with preparing the grand Calumet Castle ballroom for a spectacular two-hundred-guest summer gala. As she works in a male-dominated position of upholsterer and fights for women’s equality, she’s persecuted for her unorthodox ways. But when her pyrotechnics-engineer father is seriously hurt, she takes over the plans for the fireworks display despite being socially ostracized.

Patrick Taylor, Calumet’s carpenter and Peyton’s childhood chum, hopes to win her heart, but her unconventional undertakings cause a rift. Peyton has to ignore the prejudices and persevere or she could lose her job, forfeit Patrick’s love and respect, and forever become the talk of local gossips.

About Susan:

Susan G Mathis is an international award-winning, multi-published author of stories set in the beautiful Thousand Islands, her childhood stomping ground in upstate NY. Susan has been published more than twenty-five times in full-length novels, novellas, and non-fiction books.

Her first two books of The Thousand Islands Gilded Age series, Devyn’s Dilemma, and Katelyn’s Choice have each won multiple awards, and book three, Peyton’s Promise, is her newest. Rachel’s Reunion releases October 7. The Fabric of Hope: An Irish Family Legacy, Christmas Charity, and Sara’s Surprise, and Reagan’s Reward, are also award winners.

Susan is also a published author of two premarital books, stories in a dozen compilations, and hundreds of published articles. Susan lives in Colorado Springs and enjoys traveling the world. Visit www.SusanGMathis.com for more.

Thousand Island's Calumet Castle

by Susan G Mathis

During the Gilded Age, majestic Calumet Castle once graced the entry point to the St. Lawrence River from Lake Ontario. It was one of the first castles that the ocean-going ships saw as they traveled downriver from Lake Ontario through the Thousand Islands to the sea. And its story is fascinating.

New York City tycoon Charles G. Emery was a friend of George and Louise Boldt, who built Boldt Castle, still a major Thousand Islands tourist attraction today. Emery attended the couple’s wedding and the two men were members of the New York City yacht club, along with George Pullman.

As one of the pioneer developers of the Thousand Islands area, Emery purchased Powder Horn Island in 1882. Since the island reflected the shape of a peace pipe, he changed the name of the island to Calumet, a French word for the Native American ceremonial peace pipe.

Emery was impressed with George Pullman’s Castle Rest, the seven-story castle built on Pullman Island in 1888, about ten miles downriver. So, Emery wanted to create an equally imposing castle. The castle on Calumet Island was among the first such grand structures in the Thousand Islands region, predating the still-standing Boldt Castle.

Construction of Calumet Castle began in 1893 and was finished the following year. The completed castle had thirty room, including the largest private ballroom in New York. Several out buildings included a water tower, the caretakers home, a guesthouse, a boathouse, a men’s dormitory, and an ice house. My latest novel, Peyton’s Promise is set here.

Emery had a lagoon dredged out deep enough for his steam yachts and dozens of other boats. When there was a storm, the islanders knew they were free to seek shelter in its harbor.

Guests to Calumet Island arrive at the main dock and ascend a long walkway through the woods rising to the castle. At the castle’s massive stone paved terrace, guests can view the expansive verandas leading to the main entrance. On the veranda high above the river and treetops, guests could see the elaborate gardens and manicured lawns below as well as the village of Clayton. To the Northeast, they could catch a glimpse of the massive white Frontenac Hotel downriver.

In 1956, the castle burned to the ground, leaving only rubble and the outbuildings intact. Today, the owners live in the caretaker’s cottage and host a multitude of guests, still leaving the harbor available for those who seek shelter from the summer storms.

About Peyton’s Promise:
book 3 of the Thousand Islands Gilded Age series

Summer 1902

Peyton Quinn is tasked with preparing the grand Calumet Castle ballroom for a spectacular two-hundred-guest summer gala. As she works in a male-dominated position of upholsterer and fights for women’s equality, she’s persecuted for her unorthodox ways. But when her pyrotechnics-engineer father is seriously hurt, she takes over the plans for the fireworks display despite being socially ostracized.

Patrick Taylor, Calumet’s carpenter and Peyton’s childhood chum, hopes to win her heart, but her unconventional undertakings cause a rift. Peyton has to ignore the prejudices and persevere or she could lose her job, forfeit Patrick’s love and respect, and forever become the talk of local gossips.

About Susan:

Susan G Mathis is an international award-winning, multi-published author of stories set in the beautiful Thousand Islands, her childhood stomping ground in upstate NY. Susan has been published more than twenty times in full-length novels, novellas, and non-fiction books.

Her first two books of The Thousand Islands Gilded Age series, Devyn’s Dilemma, and Katelyn’s Choice have each won multiple awards, and book three, Peyton’s Promise, comes out May 2022 with Rachel’s Reunion in November. The Fabric of Hope: An Irish Family Legacy, Christmas Charity, and Sara’s Surprise, and Reagan’s Reward, are also award winners.


Susan is also a published author of two premarital books, stories in a dozen compilations, and hundreds of published articles. Susan lives in Colorado Springs and enjoys traveling the world. Visit www.SusanGMathis.com for more.