Working At Play: A History of Vacations in the United States

by Cindy Sondik Aron

No one works harder at playing than Americans. Indeed, as Cindy Aron reveals in this intriguing account, the American vacation has seen a constant tension between labor and leisure, especially in the 19th and early 20th century, when we often struggled to protect ourselves from the sin of
idleness.
In Working at Play , Aron offers the first full length history of how Americans have vacationed--from eighteenth-century planters who summered in Newport to twentieth-century urban workers who headed for camps in the hills. In the early nineteenth century, Aron shows, vacations were taken for
health more than for fun, as the wealthy traveled to watering places, seeking cures for everything from consumption to rheumatism. But starting in the 1850s, the growth of a white collar middle class and the expansion of railroads made vacationing a mainstream activity. Aron charts this growth with
grace and insight, tracing the rise of new vacation spots as the nation and the middle class blossomed. She shows how late nineteenth-century resorts became centers of competitive sports. Bowling, tennis, golf, hiking, swimming, and boating absorbed the hours. But as vacationing grew, she writes,
fears of the dangers of idleness bloomed with it. Self improvement vacations flourished; religious camp grounds became established resorts, where gambling, drinking, and bathing on Sunday were banned. Asbury Park, named after Francis Asbury, the first American Methodist bishop, quickly became one of
the most popular getaways for the devout.
With vivid detail and much insight, Working at Play offers a lively history of the vacation, throwing new light on the place of work and rest in American culture.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Travel, Sociology, American History

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Laura Bang · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting (although at times a bit dense and repetitive) look at the history of vacations in America. Aron focuses mainly on the 19th century and early 20th century (up until the 1940s). Prior to the 19th century, only the wealthy could afford the time and expense of traveling for leisure, but the growth of the middle class, improvements in travel infrastructure, and the beginning of paid leave made vacations accessible to more people. Throughout the book, Aron pays particular attention to the tension between work and leisure (going back to Puritan notions of "all work and no play"). As someone who has become increasingly frustrated with American work culture over the past few years, this aspect was particularly interesting.

I myself am a huge fan of paid vacations that have nothing to do with work and the "recharging" value that these provide. And I finished reading this right before my summer vacation!

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, this book was a major resource for me when I was writing my undergraduate thesis paper. Incredibly interesting research and analysis of vacationing in the US and how the concept of a vacation evolved into a middle-class staple in life.

[Ken Dowell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author describes the history of vacations in America from roughly 1800 to 1940. That time period starts as the idea of vacation first makes an appearance and ends at the point when most Americans expect to spend some time vacationing. Arum traces the socio-economic history of vacations, starting with the nation’s elite and gradually finding its way to all classes and all types of people. She also follows the theme of how a nation of people whose forefathers subscribed to the Protestant ethic of work had to overcome or circumvent some of their beliefs in order for vacationing to become part of the culture. Arum believes that to this day the way we vacation is impacted by the ambiguous attitude of Americans toward leisure.
I would have liked a little more color. More detail about certain individuals’ vacations or maybe a broader description of what life was like at some of the typical resorts of the different eras. The book is written as an academic text. It is thoroughly researched and comprehensive in its coverage. If you are interested in the subject, you’ll like the book and find it interesting.
I became interested in the history of vacations in America after staying at a 145-year-old mountain resort and a beach hotel which is almost 200 years old. This is the best source I’ve been able to find to fill in the historical perspective of those resorts.

[Dan White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear. Engaging. Well-written. Original. I appreciated the way Cindy Aron structured the book, focusing on different demographics and various vacation modes from "taking the waters" at early spas to heading out into the wilderness for a family vacation. Gives you a great sense of how the concept of vacations evolved over time.

[Jessica DeWitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aron's book is an excellent introduction to vacation and tourism history. I usually approach the history of vacationing from an environmental history angle, and thus I found Aron's inclusion of class, race, gender, religious, etc. factors to be interesting and informative.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! As a history professor, it gives invaluable historical insight into a topic that is very relevant to my students- Vacations! It is well written and thoroughly sourced. Absolutely enjoyable!

[Katherine Decker · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read on the history of vacations in the US. Pretty easy to read, not too heavy or wordy.