The two-year drought of Bridgerton ends this week when Netflix drops its latest installment of the scandalous and steamy Regency-era series on Thursday.
Visit the former home of businesswoman, socialite and philanthropist Marjorie Merriweather Post. (Courtesy Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, photographed by Erik Kvalsvik)
(Courtesy Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, photographed by Erik Kvalsvik)
Courtesy Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, photographed by Erik Kvalsvik
Visitors can journey through the former home of Marjorie Merriweather Post to see the elegant staircases and historic design. (Courtesy Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, photographed by Erik Kvalsvik)
(Courtesy Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, photographed by Erik Kvalsvik)
Courtesy Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, photographed by Erik Kvalsvik
Hillwood Estate is the former home of businesswoman, socialite and philanthropist Marjorie Merriweather Post She maintained strong ties to the eighteenth-century French decorating style that she developed in the 1920s, transferring much of the design to her home at Hillwood in the mid-1950s. Visitors can journey through the mansion to experience an elegant French drawing room, the efficient and “high-tech” kitchen and pantry, and the many personal touches that make Hillwood one of Washington’s most memorable homes.
(Courtesy Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, photographed by Erik Kvalsvik)
Courtesy Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, photographed by Erik Kvalsvik
Hillwood Estate is the former home of businesswoman, socialite and philanthropist Marjorie Merriweather Post She maintained strong ties to the eighteenth-century French decorating style that she developed in the 1920s, transferring much of the design to her home at Hillwood in the mid-1950s. Visitors can journey through the mansion to experience an elegant French drawing room, the efficient and “high-tech” kitchen and pantry, and the many personal touches that make Hillwood one of Washington’s most memorable homes.
(Courtesy Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, photographed by Erik Kvalsvik)
Courtesy Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, photographed by Erik Kvalsvik
Tudor Place Historic House & Gardens offers a look in the stately mansion owned by Martha and Thomas Peter.
(Photo Courtesy of Tudor Place)
Photo Courtesy of Tudor Place
Martha and Thomas Peter purchased the Tudor Place Historic House & Gardens property in 1805.
(Photo Courtesy of Tudor Place)
Photo Courtesy of Tudor Place
In D.C. you can visit the Tudor Place Historic House & Gardens.
(Photo Courtesy of Tudor Place)
Photo Courtesy of Tudor Place
The Tudor Place Historic House & Gardens covers 8.5 acres.
(Photo Courtesy of Tudor Place)
Photo Courtesy of Tudor Place
Tudor Place Historic House & Gardens offers a look in the stately mansion owned by Martha and Thomas Peter.
(Photo Courtesy of Tudor Place)
Photo Courtesy of Tudor Place
Indulge in an afternoon of delectable bites at Art and Soul’s High Tea.
(Courtesy Art and Soul)
Courtesy Art and Soul
Art and Soul’s High Tea features a menu of sandwiches, sweet treats, and bubbly drinks.
(Courtesy Art and Soul)
Courtesy Art and Soul
Art and Soul’s High Tea offers a taste of afternoon tea as if you were in the English countryside.
(Courtesy Art and Soul)
Courtesy Art and Soul
Treat yourself to an afternoon beverage at Art and Soul ‘s High Tea.
(Courtesy Art and Soul)
The two-year drought of “Bridgerton” ends this week when Netflix drops its latest installment of the scandalous and steamy Regency-era series on Thursday.
Past seasons have intrigued fans on the real 1800s history, fashion and architecture, said Amy Froide, a history professor at University of Maryland Baltimore County.
She expects more of the same this time around.
“When the series came out, I started fielding a lot of questions from ‘Bridgerton’ fans,” she told WTOP. “’Can I know more about the time period?’ or ‘Is this accurate?’ I realized this is really both a fun community that enjoys history and romance, but also a learning opportunity.”
The show is based on a series of eight historical romance novels written by Julia Quinn and adapted by screenwriter and producer Shonda Rhimes.
It follows the eight Bridgerton siblings, who are from a close-knit, powerful family in the early 1800s. Their goal: to win at finding a suitable match, and maybe a love connection, during the highly competitive London Season, also called the marriage mart.
But don’t look for historical accuracy in the series.
It’s just for entertainment, Froide told WTOP.
“If you want permission from an historian to watch ‘Bridgerton,’ you have it,” she said, laughing. “We live in tough times right now. It’s good to have some escapism.”
Rhimes’ vision of the times and the ton (High Society) has color, on the set and in the cast. She often casts Black and Asian characters to leading roles.
It’s a sharp detour from the original books and history itself, Froide said.
“A viewer could go away with the notion that dukes and duchesses were Black in 18th Century Britain,” she said. “That was not the case. On the one hand, I love the aspirational intent behind it. On the other, I would not want to hide the fact that it was an incredibly paternalistic society.”
What about the show’s visual details? The set is stunning. The dresses are striking and the architecture spectacular.
Froide said those details are correct about Regency-era Britain, as the monarchy, ruled by Prince George at the time, who was “a great builder and lover of fashion,” Froide said.
“It makes the regency so much fun,” she said.
Froide encourages fans who want to know more about the history behind the show to take a learning journey into the era.
“There are a lot of different ways to do it,” she said. “I would recommend finding some books, reaching out to a local university for classes. And, I’m not being paid by the UK tourism industry, but you might want to go to Britain itself.”
No need to go that far, as fans can experience the world of “Bridgerton” without ever leaving the District.
Here’s a list of some D.C. locations, high tea parties and events that appeal to “Bridgerton” fans:
