Balls were a popular form of entertainment, especially among young people, throughout the first half of the 19th century. Such events were generally coordinated by 2 or 3 young men, known as managers. The location of the ball, Windham Hall, is unknown, as is the identity of Dolly Smith and the three named managers, or the year. The significance of the time posted, 6 o’clock p.m., is notable since in June it would allow for a long evening of daylight. With candles the only artificial light in this time period, party invitations nearly always named a time of the year and time of the day that capitalized on long periods of natural light. Typical of the timeperiod, this invitation is printed on the back of a playing card.
Ball Managers. Court Ball Invitation. ca. 1820. Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, American Centuries. https://americancenturies.org/collection/l03-003/. Accessed on October 16, 2024.
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