Which sports were popular in Colonial America?  How did gentlemen, ladies, and children amuse themselves in the 18th Century when invited to the Middleton Place on a warm September afternoon? Find out on Sept. 11-12, when Middleton Place hosts a new program entitled, Genteel Pursuits and Grand Entertains: Sport and Leisure at Middleton Place. The interactive programs and demonstrations on both days will offer an incredible range of colonial sports, games, 18th-century country dances, needlework, painting in the gardens, and music.
Among the activities will be cricket, the ball and bat game which traces its roots to 16th Century Tudor England, and during the 18th Century, it became the very fashionable national sport of England. Arthur Middleton himself was known to partake in the sport as  shown in Benjamin West’s 1764 painting, The Cricketeers.
In addition, the incomparable Signora Bella, an Italian Equilibrist, or slackrope walker, will appear each day to entertain and amaze guests in a most historic fashion. Tracing her roots to the Italian theatrical style of Commedia Dell’Arte, Signora Bella has stunned the masses with feats of balance and amazed audiences juggling sharp Turkish swords and flaming torches. In the 18th century, it would have been a rare treat for common folks and gentlemen alike to witness a performance of circus acts like Signora Bella’s. She has performed on the streets of Colonial Williamsburg, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, and at Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest. With great zest, Signora Bella brings to life the tradition of traveling performers of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.
Throughout both days Genteel Pursuits and Grand Entertains, guests will be invited to play cricket, croquet and other colonial games. These special diversions are included in the regular admission price of the National Historic Landmark.
Genteel Pursuits and Grand Entertains will be held Sept. 11-12 at Middleton Place, located at 4300 Ashley River Road. For more information, call 556-6020 or visit www.middletonplace.org.

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