Leisurely Pursuits and Grand Entertains

Which sports were popular in Colonial America? How did gentlemen, ladies, and children amuse themselves in the 18th Century when invited to Middleton Place on a warm Spring afternoon? And what about enslaved Africans, who despite their oppression, found time for leisure?
Mark your calendars now to find out. On Saturday and Sunday May 14 and 15, Middleton Place will host a program first introduced last year entitled, Leisurely 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, and music.
New to the program this year is a performance by Wona Womalan, a Summerville-based West African Drum & Dance Ensemble. Visitors will be invited to share in the vibrant traditions that gave some comfort to the slaves who lived at Middleton Place in the 18th century.
Returning this year is the incomparable Signora Bella, an Italian Equilibrist, or slackrope walker, who 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. It would have been a rare treat for common folks and gentlemen alike to witness a performance of circus acts like Signora Bellas! 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, guests will be invited to play cricket, pall mall (a precursor to croquet), and other colonial games. These special diversions are included in the regular admission price of the National Historic Landmark. You can provision yourself for the day at a historically-inspired picnic under the oaks or at the Middleton Place Restaurant. Picnic lunches are available with menu items a la carte, provided by the Middleton Place Restaurant and cooked open-hearth style under the Oaks on the Greensward.
Schedule of Events: Both Days
Activities available all day: Garden Stroll, visit with 18th century naturalist, costumed interpreters, Cricket games, presentation on “The Tradition of Tea”, colonial games, lawn bowls, pall mall.
10:00-10:30 – Cricket Game
10:45-11:15 – Signora Bella “La Bellezza dell’Equilibrio”
11:20-11:50 – 18th Century Country Dance
12:00-12:30 – Cricket Game
12:45-1:15 – Signora Bella “La Bellezza dell’Equilibro”
1:30-2:00 – Wona Womalan Performance
2:10-2:40 – 18th Century Country Dance
2:45-3:15 – Signora Bella, “La Bellezza dell’Equilibrio”
3:30-4:00 – Cricket Game
Leisurely Pursuits and Grand Entertains: Sport and Leisure at Middleton Place will be held May 14 and 15 at Middleton Place, located at 4300 Ashley River Road. For more information, call or visit www.middletonplace.org.