Cornelia Bradley-Martin and her husband had been dubbed by the New York Times as members of the “400” – the 400 most influential citizens in America’s Gilded Age - so it seemed natural that this couple would host a lavish costume party at the Waldorf Astoria in 1897. Since the United States was still in the grips of economic depression, they thought the ball would stimulate the local economy and no detail went unreported by local media. But instead of a great success, the controversy it stirred up forced the Bradley-Martins to flee the country. The party revelers who were treated to a 28-course dinner while so many more Americans went hungry, draws surprising parallels to today’s excesses and asks if food is sustenance or the source of economic and political power.
About the presenterJill M. Nussel
Jill Nussel earned a doctorate in History from the University of Toledo in 2006 and has been pursuing research in food and culture ever since. Today, living in West Virginia, she is interested in sustainable regional foodways, particularly as they are impacted by issues of inequality. West Virginia could be the next great artisanal food scene! Jill is currently the International Student Coordinator at Alderson Broaddus University.