Art
This painting captures a cherished American ritual: the seaside outing. By the 1890s, railroads and trolleys made beaches accessible to ordinary families, transforming the coast into a destination for leisure, play, and escape from city life.
Art · Full story
Salt spray stings your face as children dash across the sand in their dark wool bathing costumes. Mothers in full skirts and hats watch from the shore, clutching parasols against the bright sun. The beach hums with the simple freedom of a day away.
Reflect
What was your first trip to the beach or a memorable day away from home? What made it special?