Addy Saves the Day
In Addy Saves the Day, “After the Civil War ends, many families like Addy's are searching for their loved ones. This summer, Addy's church is putting on a fund-raising fair to help people hurt by the war. When Addy has to work at the fair with snobby Harriet, their feud heats up again—until tragedy forces the girls to soften their hearts. The fair is a great success. Then, suddenly, the girls discover that the money they've raised has been stolen. Addy saves the day, which ends with a wonderful surprise.” (Connie Porter, 1994)
Click each photo below to explore each item in this display.
Classic Addy’s Summer Dress and Straw Hat
Classic Addy’s Lace-Up Boots
Classic Addy’s Gardening Supplies
Classic Addy’s Church Fair Fun
Addy Saves the Day (First Edition)
Addy Saves the Day (Second Edition)
Addy Saves the Day (Third Edition)
Addy Saves the Day (Fourth Edition)
Looking Back: Outdoor Enjoyment for African Americans During the Civil War
By: Leah Jenkins, Assistant Researcher
African Americans’ outdoor enjoyment and leisure time were rare. The enslaved routine consisted of sunup to sundown work six days a week. This meant that leisure time was rare, and their confinement to plantations constrained activities further. Enslaved children were not required to work, meaning they had more opportunities to play and explore their surroundings.
Children often played with games and toys still present in modern America, including cards, racing, horseshoes, jump rope and marbles. Meanwhile, adults often combine survival and leisure. After long days of work, adults often fished or hunted. Physical exercise emerged with wrestling, fighting, jumping and footraces all occurring. Storytelling and music were important aspects of recreation as African culture was conserved.
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