Playful Pastimes: 1890 to 1910

Playful Pastimes: 1890 to 1910, explores the many aspects of leisure during the turn of the 19th century. The first of two World Wars, women’s suffrage, the Spanish Flu outbreak of 1918, and the Great Depression were just around the corner. How did Westport, a socially and economically divided community, spend its free time in a rapidly changing world?

Filling four gallery spaces, Playful Pastimes will cover a variety of games, sports and amusements present in Westport and throughout the region during an especially tumultuous period. African American sports teams, female recreation, and alternative recreational activities will be explored to give a complete picture of the past.

Guests will be able to explore parades and parks through life size photographs, a life size model of Westport’s horse drawn trolley will be recreated, experience the battle between neighbors over Compo beach; sport teams—club and semi professionals—will awe guests with their performances.

Explore the activities of the past, even the circus will be present!