In the year 1916, Marjorie Merriweather Post, the affluent heiress of the Postum cereal empire, took up residence in her newly acquired estate—a magnificent five-story mansion boasting 54 rooms—located at the prestigious intersection of Fifth Avenue and 92nd Street. This exclusive area, known as Millionaires’ Mile, was lined with opulent mansions inhabited by America’s wealthiest and most influential families. The social landscape was both glamorous and cutthroat, where the expectations of high society were as stifling as the competition to outdo one another in opulence.
The era had seen a shift in values, with immense wealth eclipsing traditional lineage as the primary marker of status. As such, the race was on to construct the grandest, most extravagant homes, often drawing inspiration from English, French, and Italian architectural styles, while seamlessly integrating modern innovations and employing large staffs of servants.
From the vantage point looking south down Fifth Avenue at 81st Street, one could witness the grandeur of this remarkable neighborhood. Among Ms. Post’s illustrious neighbors were the likes of Andrew Carnegie, who resided just across 91st Street, along with prominent figures such as James Duke, F.W. Woolworth, and the esteemed families of the Astors, Vanderbilts, Whitneys, Belmonts, and Fishes.
Ms. Post was more than equipped to adorn her lavish abode, which included 17 bathrooms, a richly wood-paneled dining room, an impressive marble staircase, two elevators, and a charming glass-enclosed breakfast room. She meticulously filled the 54 rooms of her mansion with extraordinary pieces, including:
- Louis XVI furniture
- Beauvais tapestries
- Sèvres porcelain
- Aubusson rugs
- Antique lace
- Paintings by Thomas Gainsborough
Through her impeccable taste and lavish choices, Ms. Post transformed her mansion into a stunning showcase of wealth and artistry, solidifying her status among the elite of her time.
