How did people have fun and pass the time before the 1900s?

After all the all the chores, people might have a Sunday-go-to-meet. It might take you half a day Saturday to get to church, but once you got there, and sat through the hell and damnation part, you might have a corn shucking contest. read more

People were forced to invent ways to entertain themselves. They did not have much free time, so when they were able to take a day off, or part of a day, they made good use of the free time. You know, like sneaking a garter snake in the wash tub when Ma was not looking. read more

Many listened to radios if they had them. The 1930 US census records who owns a radio. Before TV and radio and along side TV and radio people read. "Read" means a printed page such as paper stained with an ink or other marking substance. read more

Books served as a popular choice of entertainment for adults and children. Popular titles include "The Octopus" by Frank Norris and "The Iron Heel" by Jack London. People also enjoyed going to the theater in person during this time. read more