Between the late 1890s and early 1920s, over 2 million Jews from Eastern Europe made the long, arduous and unsettling journey to America to escape persecution and violence in their native countries.

Many of these Jews were fleeing Russia, where a state sanctioned antisemitism forced many to escape for their lives. This mass immigration was, in large part, the result of the efforts of three entrepreneurial men whose efforts insured escape for tens of thousands.

-- Albert Ballin, the director of the Hamburg-America line; Jacob Schiff, the German born New York based philanthropist and financier; and the Gilded Age financial titan J.P Morgan, all insured methods of escape that would otherwise not have been possible.

So much of this story has not been told until now and it is through the research and writing of historian Steven Ujifusa that has finally brought the full story to light.

Steve joins The Gilded Gentleman table in this episode to discuss what exactly happened, the enormous difference Ballin, Schiff and Morgan all made in helping so many to escare. In addition, Steve shares his own story as well and how he was able to uncover little-known material to tell the larger story.

New York's NoHo neighborhood, wedged between Greenwich Village and the East Village, holds the stories of many people and places that then went on to become deeply associated with the Gilded Age.

The Astor family began their dynasty here in both investment and real estate as did the well known Dutch-American merchant family the Schermerhorns. Caroline Schermerhone who went on to become the famed Mrs. Astor grew up right here on Bond St along with many members of her family.

NoHo today still contains many remnants of its early 19th century glamorous past as well as sites where the tensions between the wealthy residents of the Lafayette Place neighborhood classed with the growing immigrant population just one street away on the Bowery.

Master Bowery Boys Walks tour guide Aaron Schielke joins Carl for a look at this fascinating neighborhood which includes stories of the rich and famous as well as the macabre details of a dramatic and grisly 19th century murder that took place on Bond St in the heart of NOHO that remains unsolved to this day.

Belle da Costa Greene is a truly unique historical figure. As the librarian of Gilded Age financier J.P Morgan's extraordinary personal collection of rare books, manuscripts and historical objects, Greene was one of the most visible and formidable players in the art world of the early 20th century.

She sourced precious objects from major galleries and at auction not only in New York, but also throughout Europe with her deep expertise and drive.

As Belle competed regularly against other major collectors in this male dominated world and was covered regularly by the press, although much of her own personal story remained unknown or the subject of speculation. Belle was born into an affluent African-American family in Washington DC but upon moving North with her mother, she passed for white. With new research and curatorial insight, even more is now known about this exceptional woman and her role in creating one of the world's most important libraries and museum collections.

Carl is joined by Morgan Library and Museum curator Philip Palmer to discuss and delve into the world and life of Belle Da Costa Greene.

This episode was edited by Kieran Gannon

Visit the Morgan Library and Museum and check out the Belle da Costa Greene exhibition (through May 4, 2025)

And listen to the Bowery Boys podcast on the history of the Morgan Library and Museum