Bell tent from Cunningham's Camp, Douglas
Date made: 19th century
Maker: unknown
Description: This is a tent used for accomodation at Cunningham's holiday camp in Douglas, in the early years of the 20th century.
The tent is made of canvas, to a military design. Such tents had been used by the army for temporary summer camps for a number of years. The tent is supported by a central pole, thus creating the distinctive bell shape. The soldiers (or in this case civilians) slept with their feet to the pole like spokes in a wheel.
Opened in 1894, and situated on Victoria Road, Cunningham's was the world's first holiday camp. Available to males only, and subject to strict rules of behaviour, the camp none the less aroused the hostility of the Douglas boarding house keepers who quite rightly perceived it as competition. They objected to the fact that the owners of the camp paid lower rates, and tried to argue that the young male campers were damaging the reputation of Douglas with their immoral conduct.
Materials: canvas
Object name: tent
Collection: Social History Collection
ID Number: 2003-0138