Reflections on September's Vintage Game Night

Guests playing a round of croquet in the garden.
Photo Courtesy of Diane Barber.

Last Wednesday, The President Woodrow Wilson House invited guests to experience what life was like in the Wilson-era. Visitors to September’s Vintage Game Night were able to sample food, music, and games from the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. Additionally, many guests were visiting the Wilson House for the first time and, as a result, were excited to get a glimpse into the private life of the 28^th President of the United States. Museum staff was on hand to inform guests about notable objects in the library, drawing room, solarium, and dining room. Similarly, guests were able to explore the terrace and two-tier garden, which are not included on the general tour.  One of the most exciting aspects of the event was the wide variety of early 20^th century games that guests were able to choose from. Many people were surprised to learn that several of the games that were popular in Woodrow Wilson’s lifetime are still played today, such as Mahjong. In fact, Mrs. Wilson owned a number of Mahjong sets and often entertained friends with the game. The Wilson House still has her Mahjong set, along with other games, in its collection. 

Mrs. Wilson's Mahjong set in WWH's collection.
Photo Courtesy of WWH. 

Mahjong was first played in the United States over 90 years ago but it remains a popular game today. Mahjong is a four player gambling game that was first played in China in the late 1800s. It is unclear how the game was created because there are many conflicting theories about its origin. One such theory suggests that Confucius created the game, while others contend that the game simply evolved from other similar tile games. Regardless of its origin, Mahjong quickly spread across China and many subsequent variations were made to the game rules. In the early 1920s, Mahjong was discovered by the “West” and quickly gained popularity in North America and Europe. Despite its ancient origins, Mahjong remains a popular game today and many of the Vintage Game Night guests enjoyed learning how to play. While there are many variations on the traditional Mahjong rules, Vintage Game Night guests who had never played before were introduced to the most basic version. If a guest was an experienced Mahjong player, they were encouraged to share their knowledge of the game with others and play a harder version. Mahjong uses 144 tiles with five different suits (bamboo, wind, dragon, circle, character).  The object of the game is to form a Mahjong, which consists of four sets of three and one pair. A set of three can be a “chow,” a run of three tiles, or a “pung,” a set of three identical tiles.

Vintage Game Night guests truly enjoyed their step back in time. Their night in the Wilson-era was filled with fun and excitement! Please join us for our next Vintage Game Night on October 1^st from 5:30 to 8pm. In addition to Mahjong, guests can choose from a wide variety of vintage card, lawn, and board games. Tickets are currently available for purchase here. They are selling quickly, so get yours before they’re gone! We hope to see you in October!

  

Guests playing games in the Drawing Room.
Photo Courtesy of Diane Barber.

-Madison Keller, Fall 2013 Intern

 “Mah-Jong – History and Useful Information,” The Online Guide to Traditional Games, accessed September 4^th, 2014, http://www.tradgames.org.uk/games/Mah-Jong.htm

Lawn Games

A view of the President Woodrow Wilson House garden

As the weather starts to warm 

up for spring, The President Woodrow Wilson House is starting to move outdoors and into our garden! Historically,

lawn games were a popular outdoor recreational activity for families in the middle class 

during the 1910s. Many games were introduced to the American lifestyle by immigrants from Europe, specifically England 

and Scotland. With the invention of the lawn mower in 1830, people began to look for games that required a short mown lawn for play. By the 1900s, white-collar workers and professionals had the time and money to spend on leisurely pursuits. They favored the idea that, in sports, the best player was based on skill rather than social advantages. For the first time this year, the Woodrow Wilson House will be opening up our garden for lawn games at Vintage Game Night! Check out these featured games below:

Croquet gave women the chance to play outdoors with the
company of men, Credit: Library of Congress 

Croquet - Introduced to the United States in the early 1870s, croquet quickly became a staple for outdoor recreation as it was not only played in private backyards but also in public parks.  The game was often seen at garden parties, outdoor social events and fundraisers, and family gatherings. Popular with both men and women, croquet was the first game played by both sexes and still continues to be the only sport where handicap rules are the same for both. The game is played by hitting balls through a series of hoops that have been set in a predetermined pattern. The winner of the game is the first player or team to complete their sequence of hoops and to hit the center peg.

The US Lawn Bowling Association was established in 1915
Credit: Library of Congress

Lawn bowling - The history of lawn bowling can be traced all the way back to the ancient Egyptians, but it was first played in the United States in the early 1600s. There are even records that show President George Washington playing this lawn game at his estate. Many of the present day rules and code of laws were developed in Scotland, where it is now one of the most popular games to play besides golf.  Lawn bowling is played by two teams ranging from two players to four players each. The teams alternate in turn as players bowl their ball down the area of play. The winner of the game is the team that has the closest bowl to the jack, which is a white round ball that is the first to be bowled by the leader. 

Vintage Game Nights are held the first
Wednesday of every month! 

Our next Vintage Game Night is on May 7^th from 5:30pm to 8pm. In addition to croquet and lawn bowling, guests can also play card games and vintage board games. Tickets are $15 which includes entrance to the museum, 2 drink vouchers, gaming munchies, and all-you-can-play vintage board games; they can be ordered here. We hope to see you there!













-Catherine Yuan