Class Emulation
Middle-class
Americans engaged in their own forms of leisure consumption.
Upwardly mobile middle-class Americans expressed their desire
to rise to the ranks of the upper class by emulating their behavior.
They traveled to Newport on the same types of transportation,
promenaded along the Cliff Walk, and took hack rides around
the 10-mile Ocean Drive.
Easton's
Beach
After
the upper class moved to the exclusive Bailey's Beach, Easton's Beach
became the bathing beach for middle-class and working-class
visitors.
|
|
|
Promenaders
at Easton's Beach
|
In the late nineteenth century, Easton's Beach had a restaurant,
a bathing pavilion, and a bathing area. Mixed-sex bathing from
eleven to noon was the norm, followed by swimming for men only
from noon to three. An observer wryly commented that middle-class
women bathers could be distinguished by their bare legs. [1]
At Easton's Beach, middle-class beachgoers
emulated the upper-class summer residents. Writing in the
July 1900 issue of Munsey's, Hartley Davis explained:
"For
those who are hopelessly out of the race there is little enjoyment
in this social Mecca. The only real satisfaction they have
is in driving about and being mistaken for 'swells' by persons
who know no better. And this explains why so many smart traps
are seen on the public beach. In them handsomely gowned women
pose and return the stare of the admiring excursionists and
boarding house people with that insolently good natured air
which they have copied from those who are of the elect, finding
solace for their disappointed souls in the remarks of the
crowd." [2]
Musical entertainment in Newport included concerts and balls.
Both the Ocean House and the Casino held concerts for guests. Conrad's Orchestra played concerts during
the day at the Casino. Mullaly's Orchestra played
on Sunday nights.
The daily Casino concerts cost 50 cents. The evening concerts
cost 25 cents. Middle-class observers could watch the Casino
balls from the balcony for $1. [4]
Spectator Sports
Middle-class Newporters and visitors
could also emulate the upper class by observing or participating
in athletics. In 1886 Newporter Levi P.
Morton dedicated land at the lower end of Spring Street
for a public park. Newporters gathered there to watch the
elite play polo. [5] Horse races were also popular.
Those
with limited means could also go catboating in the harbor,
a form of yachting for the middle class. [6]
Morton
Park and Freebody Park were sites for the development of the
popular sport of baseball in Newport. In 1892, the Pacifics
baseball team played at Morton Park. Freebody Park was completed
for baseball games in 1897. By then a Newport team was in
the New England league. [7]
