Ten recreational parties by Helen Durham
"Ten recreational parties by Helen Durham" is a practical guidebook to social entertainments written in the early 20th century. It presents themed party plans and simple “recreational dramatics” for community groups, schools, and clubs, moving from easy game nights to costumed scenes and tableaux. The topic is how to stage colorful, low-cost gatherings using clear directions, basic props, music cues, and cooperative participation. The book begins with the author’s approach—tested while directing
YWCA recreation—then offers ten themed programs. The Peanut, Newspaper, and Balloon Parties use playful invitations, simple props, and lively relays, musical games, and group contests. The Doll Party adds a doll-dressing contest and a pantomime with a choreographed “doll dance.” The Japanese Party supplies setting, story narration for Madame Butterfly, and a geisha-style song and dance with steps. A Washington’s Birthday program parades “American girls” across eras with costumes, music cues, a minuet, and a grand march. The Circus Party covers decorations, sideshows, barkers, easy booth games, and a “Big Show” with parade, clowns, animals, jugglers, and a comic tightrope act. Two short scenic interludes—the Italian Street Scene and a Gypsy camp—blend song, dance, and character business. The finale is a simple, reverent Christmas Service of carols and tableaux (Magi, Shepherds, Nativity) with lighting and staging notes. Throughout, the plans emphasize clarity, adaptability, and audience participation. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Durham, Helen, 1893-1932 |
|---|---|
| LoC No. | 24007076 |
| Title | Ten recreational parties |
| Alternate Title | 10 recreational parties |
| Original Publication | New York: The Womans Press, 1924. |
| Note | "This is a revised and amplified edition of Six recreational parties, by the same author." |
| Credits | Charlene Taylor, Super Queer Historian and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | GV: Geography, Anthropology, Recreation: Recreation, Leisure |
| Subject | Games |
| Subject | Amusements |
| Category | Text |
| EBook-No. | 77020 |
| Release Date | Oct 10, 2025 |
| Copyright Status | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 458 downloads in the last 30 days. |
| Project Gutenberg eBooks are always free! | |