Cumberland Maryland Eastern Star Lawn Carnival Cabbage Patch Kids Real Photo Postcard
The "Mrs. Wiggs's Cabbage Patch" exhibit was a popular feature at the Eastern Star Lawn Carnival in Cumberland, Maryland, reflecting an early 20th-century cultural phenomenon. This theme was directly inspired by Alice Hegan Rice's best-selling novel, *Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch*, published in 1901, which depicted a cheerful, impoverished family. Such displays, often featuring costumed children or dolls in a staged "cabbage patch," capitalized on the book's widespread popularity and sentimental appeal during its peak influence.
Lawn carnivals and fĂȘtes, like this one organized by the Order of the Eastern Star, were common community fundraisers and social events in American towns during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These gatherings provided entertainment while supporting charitable causes, often showcasing local talent and popular cultural references of the time. The postcard documents a specific example of these fraternal organizations engaging with popular culture to foster community spirit and aid their philanthropic missions in locations such as Cumberland.
Lawn carnivals and fĂȘtes, like this one organized by the Order of the Eastern Star, were common community fundraisers and social events in American towns during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These gatherings provided entertainment while supporting charitable causes, often showcasing local talent and popular cultural references of the time. The postcard documents a specific example of these fraternal organizations engaging with popular culture to foster community spirit and aid their philanthropic missions in locations such as Cumberland.
