Figure 1.--The rich called their summer homes cottages even though they may have seemed more like mansions to the average American. Often the rich wanted to summer together. Perhaps the best known such cluster of wealthy summerv collages was at New Port, Rhode Island. Here are some unidentified children at New Port. The photograph is undated, but looks to have been taken in the 1890s.

A very popular summer phenomenon in North America and Europe before the invention of air conditioning for affluent families to have summer houses in the country. Here city residents could go to escape the heat and unhealthy conditions in the llarge cities. This varied from country to country. Even though Russia is not noted for hot summers, wealthy Russians had summer dachas. It ssems less common in Britain which because of the northerly lattitudes is not known for particularly hot summers. And many wealthy Britons lived in the country on estates. It was quite common in America which for climaric reasons has much more severe summers and winters than is common in Western Europe. Summers in places like New York, Boston, Washington, and other cities could really be stifeling. And the climate was made even worse in the summer by the heat-island effect of a lage city where the building and pavement absorb heat. It was not just rich people that did this, although the meerly affluent had more modest summer homes. The rich called their summer homes cottages even though they may have seemed more like mansions to the average American. Often the rich wanted to summer together. Perhaps the best known such cluster of wealthy summerv collages was at New Port, Rhode Island. Washington has particularly nasty summers and the swampy areas around the White House were unhealty. The summers were so oppressive that the business of government was often suspended during the summer. The presidents were known for their summer retreats. President Lincoln took his family to the Veterans Home which at the time was on the edge of the builtup area of the city.

The Summer Home

A very popular summer phenomenon in North America and Europe before the invention of air conditioning for affluent families to have summer houses in the country. Here city residents could go to escape the heat and unhealthy conditions in the large cities. And the climate was made even worse in the summer by the heat-island effect of a lage city where the building and pavement absorb heat.

Country Differences

This varied from country to country. Even though Russia is not noted for hot summers, wealthy Russians had summer dachas. It ssems less common in Britain which because of the northerly lattitudes is not known for particularly hot summers. And many wealthy Britons lived in the country on estates. It was quite common in America which for climaric reasons has much more severe summers and winters than is common in Western Europe. Summers in places like New York, Boston, Washington, and other cities could really be stifeling. Washington has particularly nasty summers and the swapy areas around the White House were unhealty. The summers were so oppressive that the business of government was often suspended during the summer. The presidents were known for their summer retreats. President Lincoln took his family to the Veterans Home which at the time was on the edge of the builtup area of the city.

America

It was quite common in America which for climaric reasons has much more severe summers and winters than is common in Western Europe. Summers in places like New York, Boston, Washington, and other cities could really be stifeling. Washington has particularly nasty summers and the swampy areas around the White House were unhealty. The summers were so oppressive that the business of government was often suspended during the summer. The presidents were known for their summer retreats. President Lincoln took his family to the Veterans Home which at the time was on the edge of the builtup area of the city.

England

It ssems less common in Britain which because of the northerly lattitudes is not known for particularly hot summers. And many wealthy Britons lived in the country on estates. An Englsh reader tells us, "In Britain the wealthy also left the big cities. They tended to go into Scotland. Wales, the Lake District. Wealthy families in Britain would have country resid There is a tie in here with children. Beatrix Potter got inspiration for her animal characters from visiting the Lakes and staying in the family home there. I would imagine that the surroundings also inspired other children to develop a love of the countryside and nature. ences. Many such second homes were used in the summer months. The Lake District was particulary popular. In the film "Miss Potter", her introduction to the Lake District is through her family habving a second home there. When she grew older she bought farms to prevent the rich from destroying the traditional way of life and turning the infrastructure into a wealthy play ground. These days Wales is poular for a second homes. Lots of seaside places are where the wealthy are also likely to have a second home. Also European countries are also popular for this too. France is a popular place for Brits to have a second home.

France

Germany

A German reder tells us, "I am not sure about summer homes. Going to 'Sommerfrische" was popular. This means going on vacation, maybe the sea. At least out of town, somewhere in the country to get off the dirt of town and to get some fresh air."

Russia

Even though Russia is not noted for hot summers, wealthy Russians had summer dachas.

Sweden

Social Class

It was not just rich people that did this, although the meerly affluent had more modest summer homes. The rich called their summer homes cottages even though they may have seemed more like mansions to the average American. Often the rich wanted to summer together. Perhaps the best known such cluster of wealthy summerv collages was at New Port, Rhode Island.