Publisher's Synopsis
"Welcome to West Newbury, quintessential small town New England, where between much of the 19th into the 20th century, the entire populace planned, anticipated, and enjoyed an annual en masse summer's day outing to the beach (the "great play day of the year")--yet then and now at town meeting, "they all try to run it, each in a different direction." These historical vignettes encompass the experiences of Indigenous peoples and colonists; generals and soldiers; workers, manufacturers, and farmers; authors; adventurers; athletes; women seeking the right to vote and participate fully in the community; Black citizens finding their rightful place. They span difficult early days of colonization, the anxiety and sorrow of the Civil War, exhilarating exploration of the West, fresh hopes of the post-World War II era, and other framing events of the nation-always centered in small town community"--.
