Where did Ella and her family go for entertainment?

Ella writes about summer outings. Ella’s diary entries had a sameness to them most days. “A pleasant morn” was a usual comment, along with detailed descriptions of housework and cooking. She seldom left home. Here is a sampling of special occasions that Ella writes about attending over the years.

Diary Entries

June 26, 1879 [Ella was 24]
Father, Bartlett and I have been to Commencement at Hanover

Mon.  Nov. 24, 1884
John Lilla and I have been over to Harvey Austins to night to a Weding

Fri.  Oct. 10, 1890
I went to the [Pompa] Fair

Weds. Sept. 9, 1896 [Ella was 41]
Bartlett Henrietta and all of John Clouds folks and the Teacher and I started about 7 A.M. to go to  White River Junction to the State Fair
was gone all day got home about 6 P.M.
Had a good time but was some tired
They had a good Fair

Wed. June 1, 1898
John and I have been down to the Village this eve to a Lecture. A lovely evening.
[This is an intriguing entry. What do you suppose the lecture was about?]

Friday, August 15, 1902
Bartlett, Mr Wood, Susie  Myra and I have been to Norwich
it is Old Home Day

Saturday, May 30, 1908 [Ella was 53,  Mr. Wood was 73]
Mr Wood and I went down to Union Village to the Decoration exercises
It was very good

Monday, Sept. 2, 1918
Labor Day
It has been a lovely day
The Grangers had a Fair
of course anybody could go.
they had a very good exhibit and a good time we got home about 5 P.M.

Fri. May 26, 1922 [Ella was 67]
Myra and I rode down to the School House to the Decoration Exercises

The train dropped off fairgoers at the back entrance of the White River fairgrounds.

Old Home Day in Norwich was established in 1901. From the “Records of Old Home Week Association” Art. 3 of the by-laws states “The object of this association is to promote the welfare of the town by increasing the interest in the town among former residents.” Statewide it was also an early effort to attract tourists and second home owners. Ella really seemed to enjoy attending these yearly programs.

Diary Entries

Ella also wrote about events to which she appears not to have been included. She never complains.

Sept. 25, 1879
Bartlett and Leland [his son, about age 6 at the time] have been to Bradford to the Fair

Wednesday, August 26, 1908
Mr Wood and George Avery went to Bradford Fair

Photo above: Horse racing at the old Bradford fairgrounds, courtesy Bradford Historical Society

Photo below: Float at the 1909 Bradford Fair parade, courtesy Bradford Historical Society

Diary Entries

The circus came to White River Junction every August.

Friday, August 11, 1882
Bartlett, Lucy and Leland have been to White River Junction to a circus
[See photo below.]

Tues. Aug. 7, 1888
Bartlett, Leland and Susie have been down to the Junction to a Circus

Friday, Aug. 5, 1904
We got up at 2 Oclock this morn and Mr Wood started for the Junction to see the Circus
he got home about 9 this eve

Tuesday, July 21, 1909
Aunt Mary and I stayed alone last night  Most all have gone to the Circus

Friday, June 10, 1921 [Mr. Wood was 86]
Circus Day at W. R. J.
Mr Wood started about 6.30 for W.R.J.