Art
In the 1880s, the wealthiest Americans built private leisure spaces inside their mansions. Jay Gould's personal bowling alley was a luxury only the ultra-rich could afford—a sign of how the gap between rich and poor shaped even how Americans played.
Art · Full story
You step into the mahogany-lined alley beneath gas lamps, the smooth wooden lane stretching before you. The air smells of wax and wood. Servants stand ready to reset pins while Gould and his guests roll heavy balls down the gleaming floor, their laughter echoing off the walls—a game just for them, behind closed doors.
Reflect
What games or activities do you enjoy at home? Who gets to participate, and who doesn't?