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Social History Resources: Entertainment

 
 
           

Our ancestors were not "all work and no play." They worked hard but they also knew how to relax and have fun. Barn raisings, dances, fairs, church activities, and family gatherings all provided entertainment by bringing communities and families together. Music and games were often the focal point of these social activities. As the nineteenth century turned to the twentieth century, radio became an entertainment medium enjoyed by city folks and rural families alike. Where did your ancestors find entertainment?

 

Social History Topics
Clothing
Entertainment
Family and Home Life
Food
Housing
Work/Occupations

 

 

Resources on the Web

Popular Songs in American History
Tunes, lyrics, information, and historical background of popular songs in American history.

Music for the Nation - American Sheet Music - 1820-1860
From the Library of Congress American Memory Collection, this online collection contains more than 15,000 pieces of sheet music that follow the development of popular music during the nineteenth century

Published Music in America 1870-1885
Includes links to scanned images of the actual sheet music.

Civil War Music Site
This site contains everything from fife & drum music to Civil War song lyrics and photographs of Civil War musicians to help you learn about the war's musical side.

The Fifties Web
A website devoted to everything from the 1950s (with some 1960s and 1970s thrown in).

Dr. Toy's Toy History
A timeline of classic toys that are still produced today.

Toy Timeline
Travel through time to learn about some of the many toys that have been entertaining youngsters over the past 6,000 years.

1920 Movies
Learn about the early years in film making.

 

 

Research Questions

What did they do for recreation?

How did they spend their leisure time?

What hobbies did they have?

Did they take vacations? Where did they travel to?

Did the family get a daily newspaper? Weekly newspaper?

Were there magazines and books in the house?

Did they play a musical instrument? If so, what?

What style of music was popular when they were young?

What radio or television shows did they listen to or watch?

Did the family like to go to the movies often?

Were there recreational offerings in their community?

What kinds of games did they play?

Did they live near the beach or the mountains? Did they recreate at these locales?

Did they pay frequent visits to neighbors and family?

Did they go to dances?

 

 
 
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