“Sandwich at Play”, an exhibit discussing the history of rural sports and recreation in Sandwich, is being planned by Matt Powers and the curatorial staff for the main exhibit room this summer. The exhibit will run from June 28 until October 10.

   The goal of this exhibition is to provide a knowledge base of sports and recreational activities through the use of artifacts, photos, and other related material. The information will cover approximately the last one-hundred and fifty years.

 
Sandwich Athletic Club in the late 1940's

  In the nineteenth century, American rural sports were associated with hunting, fishing, and examining natural history.  To many people during this time, “sports” were deemed leisurely activities. In rural areas, these pursuits were also a way of providing sustenance to one’s family. It was not until after the Civil War that Sandwich gradually became a place where leisure and necessity could come together. This also proved true in the beginning decades of the twentieth century. In Sandwich during this time, there was an immense rise in recreational activity which has lasted over a century.

  A brief list of topics that will be included in the exhibit are: baseball, basketball, tennis, fishing, hunting, parks & recreation, water activities, winter activities, dog sled racing, hiking, horse back riding, and various outdoor clubs. The list is constantly expanding!

If you are interested in the exhibit or have something that you would like to loan to the Society for the exhibition, please contact Matt Powers on Tuesdays at 284-6269. You can also email the curator of the exhibit at directorshs@earthlink.net