Preppy/"Old" Money DC - tell me everything

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've attended a bunch of private school admissions events this fall, and I'm getting my first glimpse into a VERY distinct preppy / wasp-y crowd. They're not really Cave Dwellers (although surely some of their parents and grand-parents were) -- very few seem to work for the administration or in the government. In fact, they seem apolitical unless you count wearing a Barbour jacket as a religion. The most common threads I've been able to discern is that most are white and either from DC or the South, they all know each other well, and even though I know there are other exclusive country clubs out there, they are basically all members of the Chevy Chase Club. Who are these people: where is the money from, how were they raised, and how do they spend their time?

OP, I can think of three families I know that fit your description exactly. In all cases, the parents, now in their 70s and 80s, are from prominent families from other places. The parents are HYP/Seven Sisters educated and they arrived in DC in their 20s with strong family and school connections, probably with some Cave Dweller families. Those connections steered them into the right schools, right clubs, right neighborhoods. Their kids, now in their 40s and 50s are just continuing on. They are legacies at the private schools and got junior membership at Chevy. Their moms insist they hold onto a Sulgrave membership even though they barely use it. The Met is used by the husband for business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid went to one of these schools and that wasn’t our experience at all.

Lots of new money. Most old money families have spent all their money.

Yes, this. Most "old" families don't have a ton of inherited money left. My husband is like a 10th+ generation local Northern Virginian. They had a friend who was from an even older family that was a professional equestrian move in with them for a while because she ran out of money.

My cousin married into "Old Money", however, crazy uncles lost most, if not all, of the money and Real State in Casino debts and bad businesses.

The only thing left for her husband was enough money for a prestige college. He got a Law degree and makes his own money now. Clients came from all the connections...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've attended a bunch of private school admissions events this fall, and I'm getting my first glimpse into a VERY distinct preppy / wasp-y crowd. They're not really Cave Dwellers (although surely some of their parents and grand-parents were) -- very few seem to work for the administration or in the government. In fact, they seem apolitical unless you count wearing a Barbour jacket as a religion. The most common threads I've been able to discern is that most are white and either from DC or the South, they all know each other well, and even though I know there are other exclusive country clubs out there, they are basically all members of the Chevy Chase Club. Who are these people: where is the money from, how were they raised, and how do they spend their time?

OP, I can think of three families I know that fit your description exactly. In all cases, the parents, now in their 70s and 80s, are from prominent families from other places. The parents are HYP/Seven Sisters educated and they arrived in DC in their 20s with strong family and school connections, probably with some Cave Dweller families. Those connections steered them into the right schools, right clubs, right neighborhoods. Their kids, now in their 40s and 50s are just continuing on. They are legacies at the private schools and got junior membership at Chevy. Their moms insist they hold onto a Sulgrave membership even though they barely use it. The Met is used by the husband for business.

I think "right clubs" is an over statement. Lots of Maga belongs to Chevy and Met Club if that gives you any idea of their members. Think of former Fox anchor that recently promoted a very well known anti-semite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the term was actually intended to describe this exact group: people who were old DC (or at least one spouse is) but largely apolitical. I'm not saying that is what these people are, but the term might not be far off. Here is their profile:

- Wesley Heights/Spring Valley/CCV/Georgetown
- Christ Church (Georgetown)
- Blue Igloo/Little Folks/Little Graces
- Beauvoir
- STA/NCS (but more Holton lately)
- Ivy for smarties/athletes, mid-tier northeast lib arts for the rest, UVA/UNC/Vandy/Duke for Southerners, Sewanee/Trinity for non-academically inclined
- Commercial real estate
- Met Club, Sulgrave, CCC
- MV, Nantucket, Gibson Island, Jackson Hole, Maine

Did I miss anything?

This is pretty spot-on, OP. Please make my Monday and add car and clothing brands!

[Anonymous]

Some day people will be asking, “Tell me about these old Bitcoin people.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some day people will be asking, “Tell me about these old Bitcoin people.”

Haha

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid went to one of these schools and that wasn’t our experience at all.

Lots of new money. Most old money families have spent all their money.

Yes, this. Most "old" families don't have a ton of inherited money left. My husband is like a 10th+ generation local Northern Virginian. They had a friend who was from an even older family that was a professional equestrian move in with them for a while because she ran out of money.

My cousin married into "Old Money", however, crazy uncles lost most, if not all, of the money and Real State in Casino debts and bad businesses.

The only thing left for her husband was enough money for a prestige college. He got a Law degree and makes his own money now. Clients came from all the connections...

They should have blown all the money. If you’re poor & smart enough to get into a prestige college, the college usually pays for the whole thing.

[Anonymous]

You need to have spots at Oak Hill to pull it off.

[Anonymous]

Here is the difference between new and old money. Jack and Jackie have an afternoon wedding. Jackie’s family members appropriately wear linen suits (old money). The Kennedy people show up in black tie (new money).

[Anonymous]

Did you write this because it is off in so many ways that the follow up research makes sense:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50892224-the-cave-dwellers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pull back the shades. They are all from families with alcoholism, prescription drug abuse, infidelity, and some sex abuse.

Such as the Kennedys ?

[Anonymous]

New money is nosey.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pull back the shades. They are all from families with alcoholism, prescription drug abuse, infidelity, and some sex abuse.

Such as the Kennedys ?

At their peak (from roughly Joe Sr. being named ambassador to Britain to JFK being assassinated) the Kennedys were considered new money. Jackie's family was old money (and broke, accordingly) and looked down their noses at them. Jackie was the only one with enough sense to think, huh, if I want to have a horse and wear designer clothes I need someone new money. She was engaged to an investment banker from her parents' circle before Jack.

[Anonymous]

I was included in a very old money Virginia circle for a time through children's friendships, lol. Most gave the impression the money was gone, if they still had the real estate. Normal people, perfectly lovely and nice. We had fun engaging in outdoor activities, right up my alley.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pull back the shades. They are all from families with alcoholism, prescription drug abuse, infidelity, and some sex abuse.

Such as the Kennedys ?

At their peak (from roughly Joe Sr. being named ambassador to Britain to JFK being assassinated) the Kennedys were considered new money. Jackie's family was old money (and broke, accordingly) and looked down their noses at them. Jackie was the only one with enough sense to think, huh, if I want to have a horse and wear designer clothes I need someone new money. She was engaged to an investment banker from her parents' circle before Jack.

I always find it odd that people not remotely connected to old money seemingly gain some odd sense of superiority when calling out new money in these kinds of posts.