Entertainments and Activities
From bobsledding and hiking to bicycle riding and tennis, the people of turn of the century Tenafly enjoyed a wide-range of physical and outdoor activities. Cultural programs such as lectures, dances and concerts were popular as well and took place in Tenafly Hall. Card and parlor games also captured the attention of early residents. In this photo gallery, you can view the wide variety of pursuits exactly as early Tenafly residents experienced them.
Click on the thumbnail of any photo to see an enlarged view and, if available, a more in-depth description. Click on the "back arrow" to return to this page of the exhibit.
Life in Tenafly as recounted in 19 year old H. LeRoy Demarest's 1900 diary:
Friday, January 12: "Prayer meeting in evening, after which we all had a marshmallow roast at home and played Jenkins, etc. Had fine time especially with Miss. Stites."
Sunday, January 21: "In afternoon, Percy, Clarence D. and myself went to Crittendens and persuaded the girls to go walking".... "I went with Miss Bertha Crane, the youngest and prettiest".... "We went to Clinton Point. From there we all started for Green Brook. Miss Bertha and myself losing the rest of them on the way. We got to Green Brook, where the two of us sat down and she told my fortune with silk handkerchiefs".... "It was the most enjoyable day I ever spent."
Friday, May 18: ...."Christian Endeavor social in evening. We had the mock trial which was very laughable. I brought goat in and fell over his hide."
Friday, June 8: ...."Went to cake walk at Tenafly Hall which was very good and laughable."
Monday, August 5: "Fooled around in evening and played a tennis tournament at Ralph's."
Sunday, August 12: ...."went to Highlands. We had a fine swim and were caught in a thunder shower. Had a nice sail home."
Saturday August 18: Took "Angler" to fishing banks. Had poor luck, only getting 3 bass. Had fine sail though."....
Friday, September 15: ...."went to Oradell on bicycles. Fine ride and a very nice time. Met some fellows from Hackensack"
Tuesday, September 18: "Practiced football in evening upsetting a street lamp and got in trouble."
Saturday, December 15: "Had a fine, fine skate at DeMott's Pond."
Click on the thumbnail of any photo to see an enlarged view and, if available, a more in-depth description. Click on the "back arrow" in the tool bar at the top of the screen to return to this page of the exhibit. Click on "Downtown" to move to the next page of this exhibit.