Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm Presents: Vacation! The 19th Century Rise of Leisure
The industrial revolution in the 19th Century created leisure time, disposable income, and speedy travel in which the modern concept of vacation could develop. Beginning at luxurious health spas like Saratoga Springs and winding its way through mountain resorts in the Catskills and hundreds of camp meeting sites, amusement parks and natural wonders across the country, vacation became part of modern life. Along the way Americans, who abhorred aristocracy and were imbued with the ideas of the Protestant work ethic, grappled with the purpose of vacation. They often rejected it for amusement but accepted vacation as a time for recreation. Presented by local historian Jim Craft.