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Ask Jack

Jack Larkin - Chief Historian at Old Sturbridge Village

Question:

Where did people go for vacation in Village times?

Answer:

Nowhere! The concept of vacations that we enjoy today didn't really exist for most people in the 1830s. For one thing, their work was never really done. Farming was a time-consuming, year-round occupation. For another thing, travel was slow, inconvenient, and expensive.

Artisans and craftsmen of the 1830s also kept very busy--and often farmed on the side, so they weren't thinking much about vacations, either. Mills and factories didn't provide paid vacation time, so anyone who worked there didn't expect time off, except for major holidays like the Fourth of July or Thanksgiving. Just-married couples sometimes took a "nuptial journey" (our modern honeymoon) for a week or so, but then usually settled down and rarely traveled far after that.

The closest that most kids ever came to vacationing was going to visit a relative's family--maybe a married big sister or brother. They would still be expected to do chores and help out, but it would have been an enjoyable change.

A few wealthy families could take ocean voyages or trips to Boston and New York, but leisurely trips and paid vacations were unknown to ordinary New Englanders.