Edward Julius Berwind

Son of an immigrant cabinet maker rose to become one of the wealthiest men in the world by employing thousands of immigrants in an industry that helped turn America into an economic and military powerhouse.

Herminie Berwind

Determined to secure the Berwind name as a pillar of society, she fully embraced the expectations of Gilded Age status. Her taste was famously extravagant, and she spared no expense on the finer things that adorned herself, her home, and even her pets.

Bridget Lynch

A young Irish immigrant who came to America seeking the promise of a better life, only to find the reality harsher than she had dreamed. While The Elms was considered a coveted household to find employment, the hours were long and with few (if any) days off for its hardworking staff.

Mr. Birch

Like many immigrants of the Gilded Age, Mr. Birch valued hard work and integrity. He took pride in serving those who had attained the wealth and status he had dreamed of upon arriving in America. But as tensions rose between the staff and the Berwinds, Mr. Birch found himself at the crossroads of loyalty and the pursuit of dignity.