What are these people waiting to do? Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Reproduction Number: LC-USZ

What happens here? Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Reproduction number: LC-USZ

Is this picture related to the other two? Why or why not? Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Reproduction number: LC-USZ

The Ball Game Library of Congress, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division.

Play Ball! Baseball in Turn of the Century America

What do we know? What do we know from reading the book Honus and Me by Dan Gutman? What do we know from reading the book Honus and Me by Dan Gutman? What do we know from our previous knowledge of the history of baseball? What do we know from our previous knowledge of the history of baseball?

Play Ball In this unit you will become aware of how baseball impacted life in turn of the century America. In this unit you will become aware of how baseball impacted life in turn of the century America. We will view primary sources on the Library of Congress website that document baseball and culture during the 1880s to 1920s. We will view primary sources on the Library of Congress website that document baseball and culture during the 1880s to 1920s.

Brief History of Baseball At the end of the Civil War there were more people playing baseball than ever before. At the end of the Civil War there were more people playing baseball than ever before. Up to 1869, baseball teams were comprised of amateurs. Up to 1869, baseball teams were comprised of amateurs. In 1869 the Cincinnati Red Stockings became the first all professional team and were undefeated. In 1869 the Cincinnati Red Stockings became the first all professional team and were undefeated. This was the rise of the professional clubs over amateurs. This was the rise of the professional clubs over amateurs. In 1871 the National Association became the first professional league. In 1871 the National Association became the first professional league.

Baseball Cards Baseball Cards are almost as old as baseball itself. Baseball Cards are almost as old as baseball itself. Originally baseball cards were only available by buying cigarettes. Originally baseball cards were only available by buying cigarettes. By viewing old baseball cards we can get a sense of the early game of baseball and its ‘stars’. By viewing old baseball cards we can get a sense of the early game of baseball and its ‘stars’.

Questions to ponder Who were the people playing baseball? Who were the people playing baseball? How old were they? How old were they? Where did they live and work? Where did they live and work? Were they all white men? Were they all white men? How does the rise of baseball reflect life during the turn of the century? How does the rise of baseball reflect life during the turn of the century? What can we learn about life at the turn of the century from these baseball artifacts? What can we learn about life at the turn of the century from these baseball artifacts? Is the Honus Wagner card in the Library of Congress collection? Why or Why not? Is the Honus Wagner card in the Library of Congress collection? Why or Why not? Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Reproduction number: LC-USZ

What do we want to Learn? What do we want to learn about baseball, its influence in history, and life at the turn of the century? What do we want to learn about baseball, its influence in history, and life at the turn of the century?

Where can we go? Primary Sources: Primary Sources: Library of Congress Website Library of Congress Website Baseball Cards Baseball Cards Touring Turn of the Century America Touring Turn of the Century America Spalding Base Ball Guides Spalding Base Ball Guides America at Leisure America at Leisure National Baseball Hall of Fame National Baseball Hall of Fame Secondary Resources Secondary Resources Encyclopedia Encyclopedia almanac.com/treasure/autont005.shtml almanac.com/treasure/autont005.shtml almanac.com/treasure/autont005.shtml almanac.com/treasure/autont005.shtml

Now Go Play Ball! Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Reproduction number: LC- USZ DLC