Kristen Richardson Discusses Her New Book "The Season: A Social History of the Debutante"

The venerable New England Historic Genealogical Society and its American Inspiration Author Series hosts author Kristen Richardson.  Her new book explores the 600-year history of debutante balls when this author, herself from a family of debutantes, shares stories and images from her new book, named a Smithsonian “Best History Book of 2019.” The Season traces the social seasons of young women on both sides of the Atlantic, from Georgian England to colonial Philadelphia, from the Antebellum South and Wharton’s New York back to England, where debutante daughters of Gilded Age millionaires sought to marry British aristocrats. Richardson delves into Jazz Age debuts, carnival balls in the American South, and the re-imagined ritual of elite African American communities, which offers both social polish and academic scholarships.

While exploring why the debutante tradition persists—and why it has spread to Russia, China, and other nations—Kristen Richardson has uncovered its extensive cultural influence. Don’t miss this experience of The Season.