New Yorkers in 2014 enjoyed the summer solstice by going to the Mermaid Parade, testing out the new roller coaster at Coney Island, and cruising on Citibikes.
In the 1910s, they did it by reviving an ancient holiday most commonly celebrated in northern Europe: Midsummer’s Day.
The idea of bringing back this once-popular summer event—a festival of food, dancing, and maypoles—began with a group of students from all-female Washington Irving High School on 15th Street and Irving Place.
They decided that Midsummer’s Day should be celebrated in the modern city with a traditional folk festival, with Mayor William J. Gaynor (left) in attendance.
According to a New York Times article, six girls sent and signed this very fanciful, slightly hippie-ish letter to Mayor Gaynor:
“Whereas the great family known as the City of New York should, like other happy families, take part in the joys of its daughters, you, the honored father of the city, are advised that your girls are minded to meet you in the family garden, Pelham Bay Park, June 24, 1910, and to pay you filial respect, to entertain you with songs and games, and otherwise celebrate our family loyalty.”
Mayor Gaynor, impressed with the idea, promised to bring his wife and enjoy a luncheon on the grass in the Bronx with 2,000 Washington Irving students, alumni, and family members.
After eating, a Midsummer procession was to occur. “Competitive songs and dances will follow, with the ancient midsummer torch race and other traditional games,” the Times wrote.
I couldn’t find an account of how the Midsummer Day festival went off. And unfortunately, when it came time to do it again in 1911, the Mayor didn’t show, according to a 1911 Times article.
But thousands of Washington Irving girls did. These photos, from the Bain Collection of the Library of Congress, are from the June 24, 1911 festival.
Tags: high school girls New York City, Midsummer's Festival summer solstice, New York City in 1910, New York in summer, summer festivals New York City, Washington Irving High School
Ephemeral New York 
June 23, 2014 at 3:02 am |
beautiful pics
June 23, 2014 at 4:04 am |
What are “competitive songs”?
June 23, 2014 at 6:03 am |
I actually don’t know! Singalongs and rounds?
August 6, 2014 at 5:07 pm |
Competitive songs might be like my alma mater’s (Saint Saviour HS in Brooklyn) Song Contest where the four levels compete. The songs are judged on harmony and quality. We would write original words to known songs that reflect on school life, sing the alma mater in some creative way, etc. It also involves choreographed dance/moves. It’s design was to make us all work together.