The city had been a place of work for a long time, but it was beginning to become almost as much of a place for play. As the average person was able to earn more money and have more free time, it was desirable to have some fun at the end of a hard day. Everyone found different ways to enjoy themselves, whether it is in one place that caters to many interests or many single interest places. Having a bit of fun became more and more important as the years progressed. One of the major reasons the city became much more of a place for play was that there was a major shift in the types of work people were doing. Instead of intertwining enjoyment into your workday, people were sacrificing fun for shorter workdays and a more concentrated day. This also caused a great increase in wages.
As this change occurred “recreation and play were not luxuries [anymore] but necessities in the modern city.” Different types of people found various ways to have their fun. Depending on how much money you made, your sex, or your race, you may have enjoyed much different methods of amusement. In theaters the African Americans always got the worst seats, and the rich people were usually box holders. In fact it became very difficult for performers to please such a mixed crowd. In fact, one English actor named Macready caused a riot because of a play he was performing. During his performance “a crowd of 10,000 gathered to protest.
The Essay on Manhattan Place People York
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The militia was called to restore order, which it did, but only after 22 people had been killed, 150 hurt and 86 arrested.” Though, soon after the theaters began to cater to certain interests instead of trying to cater to everyone at once. Though the theaters were not a person’s only source of entertainment there were plenty of other forms. One could go to a beer hall, billiard room, variety theaters, or a concert hall. Though these were for men mostly, and men with money to spend at that, there were also places such as parks, museums, libraries, and lecture halls for people to spend their leisure time. Everyone was finding more and more leisure time and more places to spend their time. As the nineteenth century was ending the city became as much of a center for fun as it was for work. People, in general, had more time on their hands and a little more cash to spend on making themselves happier.
Centers for entertainment flourished, whether they were theaters, bars, museums, or lecture halls, people always seemed willing to spend money and time for a bit of enjoyment. In all, the city had become a place where not only could one make a living, but have a good time as well. David Nasaw. Going Out: The Rise and Fall of Public Amusements (New York: Basic Books, 1993; reprint, Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1999).
