American Traditions: A Short History of Agricultural Fairs

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The Roots of the American Fair

Like many words in the English language, the word “fair” can be traced back to Latin roots. Most likely taken from the Latin feria, which means “holy day,” the earliest fairs were days marked for leisure and religious celebration. Thought to have begun in the Roman Empire, the feriae were a series of religious days that were acknowledged and funded by the government. These public holidays often consisted of games, competitions, and other festivities.

By the Middle Ages, the Roman feriae had evolved into a venue for foreign merchants to not only gather together, but also buy, sell, and trade their goods with the public. These fairs combined the historic festivities with temporary markets, and were often tied in with a Christian religious day, such as a Saint’s Feast Day, and held at local parishes. The combination of commerce, religion, and festivities became the hallmark of Medieval fairs, which remained popular for several centuries.

The First American State Fair

As time passed, fairs moved away from their early religious associations, and began to focus more on agriculture, competition, and education. In the US, agricultural fairs did not begin to catch on until the early 19th century, when the first American fair was held in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. This early fair, organized by Elkanah Watson in 1807, was a small affair consisting of only sheep shearing demonstrations.

Elkanah Watson.
Elkanah Watson. Reprinted from Berkshire County’s Industrial Heritage by John S. Dickson, courtesy of the Berkshire Athenaeum (pg. 92, Arcadia Publishing, 2017).

At Watson’s urging, other area farmers began to showcase their livestock at public gatherings, where they were then judged and awarded for the quality of their animals. Watson further developed his vision of what would become county fairs over the years, later including activities for men, women, and children, and allowing merchants to sell goods at the event.

Watson’s ideas quickly spread, and many small rural communities began holding their own versions of fairs throughout states in the Northeast and Midwest. By the mid 19th century, these gatherings had gained enough popularity that the state of New York organized the first State Fair at Syracuse, NY in 1841. The first American State Fair was held for two days in September, and focused on educating attendees about agriculture, featuring animal exhibits and speeches.

A sheep judging competition at the Nebraska State Fair.
A sheep judging competition at the Nebraska State Fair. Reprinted from Nebraska State Fair by Mary L. Maas courtesy of Nebraska Farmer Magazine (pg. 32, Arcadia Publishing, 2011).

In addition to educating fairgoers, New York’s fair also featured samples and products for both farms and homes, again mixing the agricultural education and commerce that would come to define American fairs. The first fair was a great success, drawing in between 10,000 and 15,000 people. Today, The New York State fair is still one of the most popular events in the country, lasting for nearly two weeks before ending on Labor Day.

Technology at the Fair

As their popularity grew, technology also became important at fairs, as they were large enough events to showcase new technologies like electricity and airplanes. For many attendees, fairs were highly-anticipated summer events, and family farms would plan for months to be able to afford time off at the event. For these families that lived far from the city, the annual fair was an update on modern science, as it was often the first time technologies had been made available to them.

In addition to technology, entertainment acts also came to the forefront at fairs, with music performances taking center stage. These music acts were also accompanied by carnival rides, vaudeville entertainers, and other general amusements. As a result, fairs became a time not only for educating the public on agriculture and for various competitions, but also a time for farmers to educate themselves on technology and the burgeoning American culture.

A racing program from the 1936 California State Fair.
A racing program from the 1936 California State Fair. Reprinted from California State Fair by Carson Hendricks courtesy of the Sacramento Public Library (pg. 42, Arcadia Publishing, 2010).

County and State Fairs Today

Since Elkanah Watson’s first small county fair in the early 1800s, fairs have shown few signs of decline. Today, there are approximately 2,000 county and state fairs nationwide. Some of these fairs, such as the State Fair of Texas and the Erie County Fair in New York, continually draw in more than 1,000,000 attendees each year, making them some of the most greatly-attended events in the country.

While the main draw of many modern fairs are the extensive midways and live performances, a number of fairs still feature an educational component. Groups like 4-H and the Future Farmers of America encourage young people to participate in agriculture, and offer both educational demonstrations and competitions at a number of yearly events.

In addition to a wide variety of entertainment and expos, new technologies are also still featured at many events, like the Los Angeles County Fair, where eSports and the Science of Rock Candy are two modern exhibits. Other events focus on showcasing little known products at their yearly bazaars, where shoppers can peruse a variety of novelty items.

Since their early days of sheep shearing, agricultural fairs have grown vastly to serve many purposes. Focused on providing fun, education, and engaging entertainment for all who attend, county and state fairs symbolize to many an exciting summer pastime.

Cost of Care: How Americans Have Paid for Healthcare Throughout History

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Today, health care remains a divisive, hot button issue in American society.

Understanding why it is such a difficult issue to resolve opens the door to explore the original models for healthcare in our country, as we work to resolve the current issues at hand.

Pre-Colonial America

Very few trained physicians existed in pre-colonial America. Society expected women to handle most healthcare needs within the family. Local “bone-setters,” who had no formal training, took care of treating broken bones or dislocated limbs.

If people lived near a major city in the colonies, they generally had access to a trained doctor for treating serious illness, but childbirth almost always involved a midwife rather than a physician.

Home or folk remedies served the pharmaceutical needs of the day. Many of these were unguents and oral medicines that either came from Native American sources or remedies passed from older generations. Doctors, bone-setters and midwives usually received payment in trade rather than money.

Rise in Fee for Services

Around the mid-to-late 1700s, medical schools began to graduate trained doctors, leading to the arrival of some of the first hospitals. European doctors who had immigrated to the colonies opened these schools to establish the profession and give it the same status it enjoyed overseas. By the late 1700s, schools and local governments began licensing doctors, and medicine soon became a fee-for-service industry, rather than one that was paid in trade goods.

Subsidized Medicine

Subsidized medicine, implemented by local municipalities, responded to a rise in epidemics due to population growth. Tuberculosis, yellow fever, and other illnesses thrived in densely populated communities, and poor city sanitation compounded the problem. Cities created “dispensaries” where the poor and less fortunate could obtain free medicines and consult with a doctor.

Mid-1800s through the 1920s

The increase in the number of trained physicians and the subsidized medicine locations eventually resulted in the construction of the first hospitals around urban centers.

Following the Civil War, nursing as a profession entered the mainstream. Advances in chemistry, epidemiology, instrumentation, and pharmaceuticals led to better-trained and better-equipped doctors, who started to demand larger fees for their services.

First Medical Insurance

Just prior to World War I, private health insurance emerged. The cost of medical care had risen significantly due to the scientific and technological advances in medicine. By the 1920s, Blue Cross had established a name for itself as a major health care insurer.

These new insurance providers paid hospitalization and physician costs for members, which was still a fee-for-service system. The HMO (Health Maintenance Organization), familiar to most of us today, started as a private system established during World War II to cover the employees working for Henry J. Kaiser, a prominent American industrialist. The cost of healthcare continued on an upward trend during the 1950s and 1960s, due to the continued advancement of life-saving methods and medicines.

That led to specialization within the healthcare field that is so common today. The healthcare profession no longer included only doctors. Lab technicians, nurses, and therapists became part of the expected level of care. These additions also increased the cost of care.

Lyndon Johnson’s contribution

Private insurance plans spread through the U.S. from the 1930s to the 1960s. When Lyndon Johnson took office, he enacted Medicare, an addition to the Social Security Act, which provided medical treatment for those already receiving Social Security, without further cost.

He included Medicaid, a subsidized medical payment assistance for the disabled or poor, and funded it all through taxpayer dollars. This arrangement, along with the development of HMOs and more sophisticated — and costly — medical insurance plans, continued for many decades.

Attempts at Change

By the latter half of the 20th century, congressional leaders and the American people desired a simpler, less expensive system that ensured that everyone had access to the same level of care, regardless of their socio-economic status.

The latest attempt, the Affordable Health Care Act, (ACA), enacted by President Obama’s administration, tried to correct some of the inequities in the healthcare system. However, the well-intended law sparked alleged controversial results, which led the Republican party to demand repeal and/or change.

The Current Debate

Although the debate continues, most Americans are hopeful that, despite the polarizing issues, our government can find a way to come together and provide the best plan for taking care of its citizens.

Cape Cuisine: Historic Restaurants of Cape Cod

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As one of the oldest settled areas of English colonial America, the Cape Cod region of Massachusetts maintains a rich and eventful history despite its relatively small geographic area. Once a region used predominantly for fishing and whaling, Cape Cod and its nearby islands boast a booming tourism industry in the modern era.

The region consists of the Cape, a peninsula jutting out of Massachusetts into the Atlantic Ocean, and two major islands, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.

Although Cape Cod has evolved beyond the centuries serving as a notable fishing and whaling hub, much of its diverse and varied culture remains intact. The local cuisine reflects the region’s rich cultural heritage, and many of Cape Cod’s restaurants have historic, as well as culinary, significance. Most of all, the proud tradition of fishing results in exquisite, fresh seafood.

A Taste of History

Before it was colonized by Europeans, the Wampanoag Native Americans resided on the peninsula. Europeans first settled there when the Mayflower landed near modern-day Provincetown in 1620 before ultimately settling in Plymouth.

From the 1600s to the 1800s, Cape Cod developed relatively slowly due to a lack of arable soil on the narrow, sandy stretch of coastal land. Through the 1800s and early 1900s, Cape Cod rose to prominence as the cornerstone of the East Coast fishing and whaling industries. By the late 1900s, Cape Cod’s reputation as a tourist destination had grown substantially, paving the way for the culturally diverse region it has become today.


Currently, Cape Cod is more vibrant than ever, with a booming tourism industry driven by its beautiful landscape and centuries of rich history. Many of the original buildings are brimming with history, from colonial-era inns to the docks and lighthouses that memorialize Cape Cod’s nautical prominence during the last two centuries.

Cape Cod’s coastal landscape also informs a rich tradition of food and cooking. Colonial influences and an abundance of fresh seafood have merged with more modern styles as Cape Cod’s tourism industry gained prominence.

Historic Locations, Fresh Flavors

Cape Cod’s restaurants are often housed in historic buildings or notable sites. Colonial-era inns and old nautical supply stores make up some of Cape Cod’s most beloved restaurants. Many owners have maintained their historical value, carefully preserving the architectural details that make them unique.

Old Yarmouth Inn

One restaurant, the Old Yarmouth Inn, claims to trace its ancestry back to a Colonial era inn founded in 1696. Though the current restaurant no longer allows guests to rent rooms, it still provides an amazing dining experience. A guest registry dating back to the mid-1800s definitely supports its significance as a century-old inn. It continues to serve traditional Cape Cod fare, emphasizing local seafood like clams and oysters.

Mac’s Shack

Mac’s Shack is a locally popular seafood restaurant located in the town of Wellfleet. This local seafood joint has a giant lobster fisherman adorning the roof, an homage to the restaurant’s history. In prior decades, the building housed another well-known restaurant, the Lobster Hut.

Like many Cape Cod restaurants, Mac’s focuses on seafood. However, they go beyond traditional recipes and incorporate broader influences into their dishes, taking advantage of the popularity of seafood trends like sushi and sashimi.

You can find a second Mac’s location in Wellfleet, a clam-shack and fish market right on the harbor. This traditional-style seafood market on the docks of the Cape bay recalls its rich nautical history; for centuries, people have been eating fresh seafood on that same pier.
A third Mac’s location exists in Provincetown, a town close to the site of the original landing of the English pilgrims.

Riverway Lobster House

The Pazakis family owned and operated the Riverway Lobster House from 1944 to 1996 before it was purchased by the current owners, the Siscoes.

Famous for its basic New England fare, like clams and lobster, Former Speaker of the House Thomas “Tip” O’Neill loved to stop by for a non-traditional menu item, the Riverway turkey dinner.

The Red Cottage Restaurant

Located in South Dennis, locals as well as tourists gather each morning for breakfast or lunch at The Red Cottage.

Owned and operated by the Rosenbach family since 1951, The Red Cottage started off serving basic Cape Code fare, but they currently offer dishes based on local traditions. They also enjoy a great reputation from online reviewers like Fodor’s, Yelp, and TripAdvisor, who list The Red Cottage as one of their most highly recommended establishments in Cape Cod.

A Tasteful Conclusion

A diligent explorer will uncover a wealth of regional lore by simply eating at Cape Cod’s local restaurants and fraternizing with locals. It’s amazing how local flavors can teach us about aspects of history that we can’t learn from books, so starting planning your trip to the charming village of Cape Cod! 

10 Charming Small Town Celebrations for Labor Day

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The national holiday of Labor Day offers a break from work and school to celebrate the end of summer before the busy holiday season begins.

But many people don’t know the real history behind Labor Day. This important day honors the hard work and skill of laborers across the country.

Labor Day celebrations began over 135 years ago, when New York City held the first Labor Day Parade in 1882. Peter J. McGuire, a carpenter and labor union organizer, proposed the initial concept of Labor Day to break up the four intense months between Independence Day and Thanksgiving.

On May 4, 1886, a labor demonstration erupted into grisly violence after a bomb exploded during a peaceful demonstration in Chicago, Illinois. Known as the Haymarket Affair, the aftermath of the tragic day started a national conversation about worker’s rights and the role of police enforcement that still informs us today.

In 1896, the Federal Government declared Labor Day a national holiday to honor the valuable contributions of the American worker. Eventually, it became what we know it as today: a jovial celebration of hard work, with parades and community-wide activities to bring communities together.

These ten small towns have some of the most charming and quirky Labor Day celebrations in America.

Black Diamond, Washington

Located 45 minutes away from Seattle, Black Diamond began as a coal mining community in the late 1880s, and it grew into the largest coal mining operation for the Pacific Coast Coal Company on the West Coast.

A small town with stunning mountain views, people flock from all around to purchase bread from the Black Diamond Bakery, baked in their “Old Brick Oven,” that dates back to 1884. Black Diamond is just a few miles from the gorgeous Green River Gorge and Flaming Geyser Park.

Their Labor Day festivities include a frog jumping competition (bring your own frog!), a women-only nail pounding contest, and the popular toilet paper unrolling race. The competition can get fierce, and some contestants perform practice rounds to prepare for the action!

No Labor Day festivities are complete without an eating contest, and in Black Diamond, you can choose to gorge on watermelon or help judge the pie contest.

The event also includes Doggie Days, offering an agility course and training lessons for four-legged friends along with friendly competitions. There is even a free movie night in the school field at dusk on Saturday, featuring classic family films.

On Monday morning at 10:00 A.M, their famous Labor Day parade kicks the celebration into high gear, billed as “one of the best of King County.” Once the parade is over, families can enjoy field games and free local music all afternoon.

Cloquet, Minnesota

A colorful river town 20 minutes outside of Duluth surrounded by white water rapids, Cloquet’s most interesting highlight sits on the main avenue. In 1958, Frank Lloyd Wright designed the only gas station of his esteemed career, the R.W. Lindholm service station, a Phillips 66 gas station that is still in operation today.

This lively town offers one of the oldest Labor Day parades in the nation. The whole town participates in planning the event, widely regarded as their favorite time of year.

The Old-Timer’s Banquet happens the day before the parade, offering a free lunch for seniors with sweet prizes such as “Least Youngest Married Man and Woman” and “Longest Married Couple.”

The parade features respected public officials and fun entertainment from marching bands and the Eveleth Clown Band, always a fan-favorite for adults and children alike.

After the parade, celebrants enjoy a Labor Day Picnic before exploring the carnival that features a petting zoo, sawdust scramble, sing-along folk music, and maypole dances.

Fort Bragg, California

Paul Bunyan Days in Fort Bragg bills itself as the oldest and largest Labor Day celebration on the Mendocino coast. The parade, one of the most colorful in the United States, has a Paul Bunyan logger theme that’s described as “Lumberjack-Rowdy and Family Friendly Fun.” Inspired by the beloved tale of hardworking Paul Bunyan and his trusty ox, Babe, Fort Bragg celebrates the achievements of a community dedicated to quality work.

With too many activities to list, this festival is definitely charming. Events like the Beer, Bison, and Bluegrass Concert, featuring local beer and bison burgers, a hot dog eating contest, a log rolling tournament, and a logging show serve as popular attractions in this former logging town.

The model train exhibit remains a crowd favorite and attracts fans of all ages. Watch out for the Kangaroo Kort that patrols the town during Paul Bunyan Days and arrests people who don’t have beards. In order to be released, a fine must be paid that is donated to charity.

The children’s tricycle race is always fun to watch, attracting entrants from all over the area. Other favorite activities include a water fight with local firemen and the ugly dog contest.

Francestown, New Hampshire

With a population of around 1,500 and almost 250 years of history, Francestown is a quaint, picturesque community straight out of a storybook. Established in 1772, the town’s population doubles in size over Labor Day weekend because Francestown has that signature New England village charm that is perfect for a national holiday.

This small town offers a traditional Labor Day celebration with broad appeal. Activities include an annual mud volleyball tournament followed by Vespers in the town meeting hall on Sunday.

On Monday, the town holds a parade, road race, and a juried arts and crafts sale, featuring some of the best local and regional art. Just an hour and a half outside of Boston, Francestown is the perfect place to spend Labor Day weekend relaxing and enjoying a little American history and culture.

Park City, Utah

Like other communities that intertwine their unique heritage into their parades and festivals, Park City celebrates the town’s mining heritage with Miner’s Day in conjunction with Labor Day.

Known for its beautiful mountain settings, snow sports, and golf resorts, Park City has an unusual tradition called the Running of the Balls. Before the event, anyone can “adopt” a ball for $5, with the money being donated to a charity. Then, thousands of golf balls are released into the street, and the first balls to cross the finish line win hefty prizes, like ski resort memberships and vacation packages.

The parade starts right after the contest and ends at the city park, where a barbecue lunch, live music, and games will keep everyone having fun throughout the day.

Many locals love the mucking and drilling competition in the parking lot, where contestants attempt to use the machinery and methods of old-time miners.

This celebration has the small-town charm that everyone loves. In between the festival activities, you can indulge in world-class golf courses, take in the mountain scenery, and explore the wares of the local shops.

Rock Island, Illinois

Rock Island sits on the Mississippi River on the Illinois and Iowa border. As the name implies, it is located next to largest island, now referred to as Arsenal Island.

The Rock Island Go-Kart Grand Prix, the largest go-kart street race in the world, attracts participants from all over the world. Rock Island locals still hold the advantage in the event because the planners don’t announce the race course prior to the event.

The Labor Day celebrations include the Native American Labor Day Weekend Pow Wow at the Black Hawk State Historic Site with drumming and dancing, and the largest antique motorcycle swap meet in the world, complete with racing.

The parade on Labor Day averages 150 entries, one of the largest in the region, and all the local marching bands and businesses participate.

Canton, North Carolina

Canton, North Carolina claims to have the oldest Labor Day festival in the South, and it started as an homage to the builders of the paper mill that continues to be an economic support for the region.

The Canton Labor Day festival is billed as “a celebration of all things made in Western North Carolina” and attracts an impressive concert roster of bluegrass musicians like Ricky Skaggs and Sam Bush.  Mountain music lovers come from all over the region to hear and meet their favorite artists in a small, intimate setting.

The Canton parade is the envy of the area, featuring over 100 floats and an old-time feel full of antique cars and tractors. It also features a gospel show, craft expo, a dog jumping competition, antique car shows, and the Canton Historical Museum. All festival food comes from local vendors, including craft beer made right there in Canton. Year after year, the Canton Labor Day festival consistently ranks as one of the best small music festivals in the country.

Pioche, Nevada

Pioche is a mountain town built on the labor of miners, so it makes sense they take their Labor Day celebrations seriously. Known during the 19th century as the toughest town in the Old West, the daily violence at the camp resulted in 75 burials in the Boot Hill Cemetery before a single man died of natural causes.

Their Labor Day weekend celebration offers day parades and nighttime celebrations that feature street dancing accompanied by live bands.

They also have a rubber chicken chuckin’ contest, a watermelon contest, and chili cook-off. Residents consider the dog show the highlight of the celebrations, awarding colorful prizes like best mutt, best roll-over, most gorgeous eyes, and best dog trick.

In a nod to the mining history of Pioche, a contest called “mucking” is also on the roster, where contestants attempt to pack as many people as possible into mining cars.

If visitors want to take a break from the Labor Day events, the town has many well-preserved sites that offer a historical perspective on this infamous Old West ghost town, even though a small number of citizens and seasonal residents still reside there.

Rushford, New York

The Labor Day celebration in Rushford hosts three days of concerts and a small carnival, culminating in a magnificent fireworks display. Except for the demolition derby and horse pull, that will set you back a modest $5, the event is free to the public.

The highly competitive chili contest, pony rides, and tractor pull are popular, but the true highlight of the celebration is the puzzling but hilarious “cow muffin bingo.” A cow is set loose on a field marked to look like a bingo card, with spectators holding purchased grid cards. After some time wandering the field, the cow “makes muffins,” and whoever’s grid it falls in wins a prize. No one will forget bearing witness to this tradition.

Wagner, South Dakota

The city of Wagner, South Dakota is home to the “world’s best Labor Day celebration” since 1900.

Over the three-day weekend, Wagner hosts a rodeo that attracts people from all over the region and features skilled contestants from all over the country. They also have a three-day carnival with children’s parade and a stock car race. The children’s parade takes a shorter route, starring children dressed as famous characters.

The town of Wagner hosts a rib cooking contest and beer Olympics before the Monday parade, considered by many to be the premiere event of the festival.

8 Favorite Thanksgiving TV Specials Well Worth a Re-Watch

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When it comes to the holidays, nothing gets you into the spirit quite like the right holiday-themed viewing. This is just as much the case with Thanksgiving as it is Halloween or Christmas, so it’s no surprise that people look forward to watching their favorite Thanksgiving-themed TV specials all over again as a way to get ready for turkey day.

The following are just a few of the specials and classic Thanksgiving episodes we look forward to revisiting again and again every year. All of the staples of great classic holiday television are represented – turkey, stuffing, and, of course, the magical resolution of even the most complicated family issues in 22-45 minutes.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

When most people think of iconic Thanksgiving television broadcasts that have been widely loved for decades, this one tops millions of lists. That’s because it’s the quintessential Thanksgiving classic. It’s entertaining, it’s family-friendly, and it’s timeless in its ability to appeal to everyone, from grandma and grandpa to the littlest viewers of all. Join Linus, Lucy, Snoopy, and – of course – Charlie Brown as they celebrate Thanksgiving together in the heartwarming way only they can.

Family Ties

Fans of the Keaton family no doubt fondly remember the time hippie parents Elyse and Steven got themselves arrested at an anti-nuke rally. They wound up spending one Thanksgiving in jail as a result. Remember: “No Nukes Is Good Nukes!”

Friends

Anyone familiar with the cultural touchstone that is Friends would expect their special Thanksgiving episodes to be epic, and it certainly delivered in the quirky, madcap way that only Friends could. Who could forget the time Joey put a turkey on his head, the time Ross had to correctly name all of the states, or the time Rachel failed miserably at making a trifle? Relive all these iconic moments, and more, with a second, third, or fiftieth viewing of the series’ Thanksgiving episodes.

Happy Days

Happy Days is classic television at its finest, so it makes sense that its Thanksgiving episode is well-remembered and widely re-watched every holiday season. Remember how upset Marion got when all her entire family wanted to do was watch football? Remember how hard you laughed at her hilarious retelling of the first Thanksgiving that found all your favorite cast members playing the parts?

The Simpsons

Here we have a show that’s quite famous for delivering when it comes to truly memorable holiday episodes, and its best Thanksgiving episode is no exception. Relive Bart’s famous holiday rampage in “Bart vs. Thanksgiving” all over again, and breathe a sigh of relief when everything – of course – turns out just fine in the end over a delightful family meal, proving that even in Springfield nothing’s more important than family.

WKRP in Cincinnati

While there are a lot of shows out there that are well celebrated for the sheer quality of all their collective Thanksgiving episodes, WKRP in Cincinnati’s “Turkeys Away” is arguably the very best Thanksgiving episode of them all. It’s positively packed with quotable gems and gags that will make you laugh so hard you can’t breathe. If you’ve never seen it, definitely look it up and experience turkey day the Cincinnati radio way.

The Cosby Show

Regardless of the turn for the worse Bill Cosby’s image has taken as of late, you can’t deny the genius that was The Cosby Show, especially since the show boasts some of the best Thanksgiving episodes in television history. Who could forget the time Cliff Huxtable swore that no one can tell the difference between pumpkin pie and sweet potato pie in “Cliff’s Wet Adventure”? Or the way Claire sent Cliff out into a raging storm to pick up supplies multiple times?

Roseanne

Roseanne’s Thanksgiving episode is no doubt a favorite with viewers that enjoy the Connors and their cynical approach to life. A holiday dinner at their home is exactly as you’d expect, making it an easy add to any Thanksgiving watch list. Laugh yourself silly as you relive Roseanne’s dislike of her daughter’s new husband, her dread over dealing with her mother, and more.

Of course, these are just a few of the many, many Thanksgiving contributions classic television has made to our ongoing watch lists. 

How Whaling Brought Affluence to Martha’s Vineyard

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Situated off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Martha’s Vineyard is today known mostly as a summer colony for the affluent American population. However, the island has deep roots within the American whaling industry, a business it dominated for decades. Together with the city of New Bedford and the island of Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard became an epicenter of the American whaling industry during the 19th century, sending countless sailors all over the world from its port in Edgartown.

Whaling in the nineteenth century was a dangerous, but potentially lucrative venture for those who decided to pursue it. Whales were hunted mostly for their blubber, which could be rendered into an oil for use in candles, as fuel in oil lamps, and in other products like leather and soap. The expeditions to hunt these whales were long and arduous, however, with many expeditions lasting as long as three years. Sailors could also be out much longer than anticipated depending on the size of their ship, and the amount of whales they managed to catch. The longest whaling voyage on record is that of the Ship Nile, which lasted eleven years, from 1858 to 1869.

Whaling ships were often micro-societies unto themselves, but were also plagued by disease, death, and unrest due to the duration of time spent at sea. Mutiny was not uncommon during whaling missions, and at least one ship out of Nantucket (the Globe) saw a major confrontation when the crew killed Captain Thomas Worth and three other officers. Ships were often also unhygienic, where pests such as rats or fleas were simple facts of life, contributing to the proliferation of disease on board. As a result, whaling was both a dangerous and relatively unpleasant experience for sailors who chose to join a voyage.

However, whale hunting could result in a considerable profit if the expedition was successful. In 1836, unrated crewmen from the whaleship Milton each received $571 USD for their work on board the boat. This mission must have been exceptional, as another journey by the Milton resulted in unrated crewmen only being paid $10.10 per sailor for their labor. Ultimately, whaling was an industry based on gambles, and voyages depended not only upon the skill of the crew involved, but also the amount of whales they encountered.

On Martha’s Vineyard, the allure of a possibly successful whaling mission induced many young men to become sailors. During the 1850 census, of the 1,463 men listed from the island, 686 were mariners, accounting for almost half of the working men that year. While the Vineyard wasn’t well known for shipping out whaling vessels like their neighbors of Nantucket and New Bedford, many of the men from Martha’s Vineyard served as crew or captain to ships from other areas. Edgartown did however serve as a location for offloading whale oil from expeditions, as Nantucket’s harbor was found to be too shallow when a ship was weighted from cargo.

Once a ship reached the Vineyard for offloading, money was quick to change hands between oil salesmen and ship captains, who were typically given the largest cut of an expedition’s profit. The wealth these captains gained quickly evidenced itself during the height of whaling between the 1820s and 1850s, where ship captains often built large mansions to display their fortunes in Edgartown. This wealth helped to establish the island (and Edgartown specifically) as an affluent location, which it has retained even after the decline of the whaling industry in the 1860s. Today, the lasting influence of whaling can be felt throughout Martha’s Vineyard, and the island remains proud of its heritage, not only by preserving the captains’ mansions in the Edgartown Village Historic District, but also within the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, which contains innumerable whaling artifacts for visitors to observe.

To learn more about the influence of the whaling industry on Martha’s Vineyard, check out Whaling on Martha’s Vineyard by Thomas Dresser.

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