Leisure in the United States
The original use of the word vacation in the United States comes from the English use, marking the time period when teachers and students vacate the school premises. Today, a vacation is typically thought of as a trip, but school vacations still play an important role in when families take a vacation.
The Nineteenth Century
In the early nineteenth century, vacations were normally taken by wealthy individuals, oftentimes going away for their health to a country home or the seaside. Previous to this time, Puritan ideals surrounding the need to work six days per week and then go to church on the seventh day meant that leisure and relaxation were discouraged. Doctors in the mid-nineteenth century encouraged people to get away to avoid suffering brain fatigue or to escape the crowds and dirt of the city. Preachers also began to change course on their messaging regarding relaxation. On vacation, people were encouraged to engage in writing, reading, hunting, going for walks, or participating in sport and leisure activities.
During this time, railroads were available to take people from the more urban areas to the shore and hotels were built to accommodate vacationers. The ability to travel via rail ensured that vacations were more widely available, as people could now travel for just a few days with an entire family. Churches also built religious resorts where people were not tempted by idleness, drunkenness, and other dangers because there was no drinking or smoking, and rules were in place regarding what individuals could do on Sundays.
The Twentieth Century
In the early twentieth century, people began traveling to cities, such as New York and Philadelphia, to stay in grant hotels and experience the excitement of city life. Trips on ocean liners and airships, such as the Titanic and Hindenburg, were also common for the wealthy and allowed them to explore more isolated and farther destinations. However, these came with dangers that were sometimes unexpected.
Within the United States, the availability of automobiles allowed more people to take weekend trips. Resort towns, such as Atlantic City and Wisconsin Dells, developed around major cities as middle-class individuals were able to drive to visit them.
Lesson Plan and Activities
Lesson Plan: Vacation Week
Activity: Calder Project
Activity: Jigsaw Puzzle
Activity: Mini Museum
Activity: Portraits
Other Resources
Interview with Cindy Aron about her book “Working at Play: A History of Vacations in the United States”
America on the Move at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History