Social interaction between townspeople and summer residents in the resort community of Nahant, Massachusetts

Lowell, Mary Windsor (1976) Social interaction between townspeople and summer residents in the resort community of Nahant, Massachusetts. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine social interaction in the resort community of Nahant, Massachusetts, one of the earliest east coast summer resorts and the summer residence for prominent Bostonians from the 1800s to the early 1900s. The period emphasized is from 1900 to World War II by which time the town had become a year-round community. The focal point of the study is the reconstruction of the relationship between two distinct social classes: the Boston summer people and the local permanent residents whose livelihood depended on the summer resort industry. One folklore form, the personal experience narrative, through which this relationship is demonstrated will be analyzed. -- Fieldwork for this study was conducted in the author's home community and field methods included interviewing townspeople and remaining summer residents as well as participating in local activities and folklore events. Disciplines other than folklore, most notably sociology and oral history, are incorporated in this study. -- The history of the permanent settlement and that of the resort era of the town are discussed separately to demonstrate specific factors of the development of each while keeping in mind the interdependence of the summer and year-round populations. Social change and social status are then examined to determine certain factors contributing to the change from a summer resort to a year-round community and to understand Nahant's current position as a suburb of Boston. The relationship between the townspeople and the summer residents on a business and social level are studied noting the differing life styles of the two groups. The relationship is demonstrated in part through the personal experience narratives of one of the last remaining tradesmen to be involved in the once lucrative summer business. As well as presenting the memories of this local plumber, Charlie Gallery, this study also includes a discussion of Gallery as a storyteller.

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