Picnics, Outings, and Woodland Idylls

"There are few things so pleasant as a picnic eaten in perfect comfort." 

(Quote: Novelist W. Somerset Maugham, 1943)

 

 

Dillman Bomberger was outgoing and gregarious. He loved a good time, and in his generation good times meant lawn parties, basket sociables, and summertime picnics. Dillman was a bachelor schoolteacher until he married Amy Brubacher in 1910, but he was no hermit. His circle of friends was large, and his associations were many, including the Brunnerville Choral Society and the Rothsville Literary Society. 

Dillman Throws a Party at his Parents' Farm for 85 Friends:

On June 19, 1900, when he was 19 years old, he invited 85 of his best friends to a picnic at his parents' farm. The social column in Lancaster's Daily New Era described the picnic: "A basket sociable in honor of Dillman R. Bomberger, of near this village [Halfville near Lititz] took place at his home on Tuesday evening." The Semi-Weekly New Era newspaper reported the same picnic: "Mr. Dillman Bomberger gave a lawn party at his home near Halfville on Tuesday evening. About 85 young people were present."

I do not know if photos survive of that party. But Dillman photographed many other picnics and outings, including the photos on this page.

 

 

 

Above: An "Arbutus Party": In Search of Woodland Wildflowers.

Dillman's caption for this outing is "arbutus party." He and his friends are in search of the woodland wildflower known as trailing arbutus (Epigaea repens).  The arrival of these springtime flowers meant it was time for countless "arbutus parties" throughout the East Coast. These excursions were picnics by young people in search of the "Mayflowers". The youthful plant hunters carried their floral trophies home for decoration. Dillman's brother Norman holds a shovel to dig up the flower roots.  

Above: Dillman and friends in a leafy rowboat on the Conestoga River. They are at Conestoga Park, in Lancaster County.

 

 

 

 

Above: Dillman's caption for this photograph is "Martindale Outing." Martindale is a village in Lancaster County east of Hinkletown.

 

Above: Dillman's inscription on this photographs glass plate negative is " "Poplar Run April 26, 1906."