On Display
Early nineteenth-century Americans found that most of their time was consumed by work. Those who loafed beyond what was socially acceptable found themselves ostracized within their small, agrarian communities. By the early twentieth century, the Victorian ideals of decorum and self-restraint gave way to the notion that "having fun" was good for one's health and overall well-being. The mass media promoted the concept of fun to encourage Americans of all economic levels to engage in leisure activities. The establishment of weekends, paid vacations, and shorter workweeks and increased production, more readily available commercial goods, construction of parks in urban areas, and improved transportation networks led to an explosion of new types of amusements that people of all classes and both sexes could attend came into existence and quickly spread across the country. Exhibits and program in 2024 will showcase how our community responded to the people’s desire for place for entertainment, rest, and recreation.
