Working at Play. A History of Vacations in the United States

This text chronicles the history of vacationing in America since the early part of the 19th century. It is concerned with how, when, and why vacationing came to be part of American life, charting this social and cultural institution as it grew from the custom of a small elite in the early 19th century to a mass phenomenon on the eve of World War II. It looks at American cultural anxieties about vacations and the constant struggle Americans have engaged in with the notion of taking time off from work. Utilizing diaries and photographs, Aron looks at many popular American vacation spots and types of vacations, including self-improvement vacations, resort vacations, touring vacations and camping vacations, including vacations for working class people and for Depression-era Americans. Among the vacation spots she discusses are Saratoga Springs, Niagara Falls, the Jersey Shore, Long Island, Chautauqua, Martha's Vineyard, Southern springs, world's fairs, and Yosemite, Yellowstone and other national parks.