Emancipation was the word in 1863. The NY Times was pleased to see women skating expertly, not needing to be accompanied by men. From The New-York Times December 24, 1863:
Skating on Central Park Lakes and Fifth-avenue and Other Ponds.
ahead of her time? (c1861)
Yesterday “The Ball is Up,” was on the lips, in the mouths, in the looks and smiles of old and young of both sexes, and thousands pressed up town to the Central Park lakes and Fifth-avenue Park, to a[v]ail themselves of the welcome opportunity for skating. The ice was in fine condition on the Central Park lakes, and the large attendance can be judged by the fact that nearly 4,000 pairs of skates were loaned by the parties licensed for that purpose by the Commissioners, and these in addition to the immense numbers who own ice-skimmers themselves.
No other accident or annoyance occurred than the occasional and usual transposition of some of the tyros in skating from a vertical to a horizontal position; and the Park Police had none but the pleasing occupation of assisting pretty young ladies who had subsided into an interesting heap to regain their perpendiculars, and to send them again blushing on their icy way.
It is a very noticeable, and at too same time a very pleasing fact that, this season, a large proportion of the lady skaters are — either singly or in company with others of their sex — entirely unattended by gentlemen, and dash past the latter with perfect impunity and confidence. “Of course, there were many excellent skaters on the lakes yesterday, but the most noticeable one was young HAINES, the skating champion.
The most noticeable of the fair sex was a sweet little girl of about 12 years, who was as expert as she was graceful, and created quite a furore wherever she appeared. She was accompanied by another pretty young lady and young gentleman, hardly less expert and graceful. The arrangement of the Commissioners in the Skate and Refreshment Department are excellent. Skates are furnished at reasonable raies, and refreshments of all kinds and of the best quality at moderaie charges. Another department has been established, in which property or clothing, for a slight charge, is taken care of. Thousands were on the lakes last night, enjoying “skating by moonlight.”
From The New-York Times December 24, 1863:
CHRISTMAS FAIRS AND FESTIVITIES.
— Last evening a very elegant Christmas Tree was provided and given to the Sunday School children of St Bartholomew’s Church, corner of Great Jones-street and Lafayette-place. The Church was crowded with joyous little ones, and the festivities were carried on with great spirit. A solo, superbly sung by Miss BRAINERD, and excellent organ music by Dr. CLARK W. BRAMES, added to the either attractions. The Congregational Church at Harlem, (Rev. Mr. BOURNE’s,) is holding a very successful fair, which will close this evening. The proceeds are to be employed toward furnishing the Church.
The Christmas tree is brought to us courtesy of Karen’s Whimsy
