American Prohibition Museum

-- The Beecher Family One of the most influential early Temperance advocates was Reverend Lyman Beecher, pictured here in the mid-1800s. Reverend Beecher, disturbed by the heavy drinking throughout New England, published six anti-alcohol sermons in 1826 which were widely distributed for decades. That same year, Beecher founded the American Temperance Society, an organization where members would voluntarily pledge to abstain from the drinking of distilled spirits (beer and... wine were still okay!). Within a decade, they had more than a million pledged members across the country. If Beecher’s name sounds familiar, it may be because he was the father of 13 children, many who grew up to be extremely influential towards a handful of different social causes. Catherine was an advocate for education expansion, including the importance of physical education and kindergarten. Isabella was a prominent suffragist, and several of his sons were prominent ministers. The Beecher you’re probably familiar with is Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin and a vehement opponent of slavery. Harriet’s writings spread through the North like wildfire, waking Americans up to the brutality that enslaved people were subject to throughout the South. In fact, many of the Beecher kids were prominent voices for the abolition of slavery! Today, Reverend Lyman Beecher’s home, the only surviving home of his seminary, in Cincinnati is preserved as The Harriet Beecher Stowe House. - #apmsav #savannah #prohibition #temperance #abolition #reverends #activism

-- The DeSoto Precinct As promised, we’re back with more talk about Savannah’s own, The DeSoto Hotel! Plenty of Savannahians know all about the hotel’s elegant history, but those of y’all who haven’t spent time with us might not know that it was also important in Savannah’s Prohibition history. In the first few years of National Prohibition, the Haar family sailed to the front of the Savannah bootlegging scene with a fleet of ships transporting liquor from the Caribbean to ...here, the Hostess City. Willie Haar was the ringleader of what would become known as the Savannah Big Four liquor ring. The government desperately wanted to put the Haar’s out of business, but their attempted raids never netted them significant arrests. Local bootleggers always seemed to know when the cops were on their way. In order to nab the Haars, federal agents meticulously planned a raid without informing the local police, who they suspected of having loose lips. The raiding agents trickled into the city over the course of a few weeks so as to not draw attention. They rented out an entire floor of The DeSoto Hotel without telling any of the staff who they were or what they were there for. Warrants were dispensed out of a single hotel room instead of the local police precincts. Ultimately, the raid was a huge success and the Haars, along with more than 100 others, were indicted for violations of the National Prohibition Act. But that’s not all! While we talked earlier about the rich and famous that checked into the hotel from time to time, we left off one (in)famous name: Al Capone. The gangster known as Scarface was known to have stayed at The DeSoto while passing through the city. Good thing he never stayed there at the same time as all those federal agents! - #apmsav #savannah #prohibition #visitsavannah #savannahhistory #hotels

-- The Dowager Empress of the South -- The DeSoto Hotel off of Madison Square here in Savannah sits at the center of our Historic District. While years of renovations and re-imagining have kept it rather modern looking, the property has a storied history as a premier lodging destination going all the way back to the 19th century. It first opened as The DeSoto on New Year’s Day in 1890, and its design was overseen by the architect, William G. Preston, who also designed the Ch...atham County Courthouse. The design was elegant, unique, and immediately made The DeSoto among the most recognizable landmarks in the city. It boasted state-of-the-art amenities such as a swimming pool and a lighted miniature golf course. Its elegance was so widely regarded that it earned the local nickname, the Dowager Empress of the South. Over the years, some of the most noted visitors to our city checked into the hotel, including film stars like Katharine Hepburn and Gregory Peck, musicians such as Elvis Presley and B.B. King, and even three consecutive U.S. presidents: William McKinley, William H. Taft, and Woodrow Wilson! The original structure, pictured, was demolished after closing in 1965 and was replaced three years later by the towering hotel that occupies the property today. The hotel underwent massive renovations in 2017 when it was renamed to its original name: The DeSoto. Now that we’ve got the general history down, we’re going to talk about The DeSoto’s place in Savannah’s Prohibition history later today. Drop by later on for that post! - #apmsav #savannah #prohibition #visitsavannah #savannahhistory #hotels #travel

We have a spooky menu planned for you on this Halloween night! Jason AND Sean are behind the bar, and they are ready to serve you these delightful treats! No tricks! #apmsav #cocktails #spookytime

Happy Halloween from all of us at The American Prohibition Museum! #apmsav #halloween #CAST #spookyseason

A common refrain in Prohibitionists' arguments was that their opponents could not care less about the citizens affected by the scourge of the liquor traffic. Either they were in the business themselves and valued profits over lives, or they simply were average people ambivalent to the effects of drink if they weren’t being affected. As usual, the Drys are not mincing any words when talking about their opposition in this cartoon from the era. It depicts a respectable anti-pr...ohibition voter washing his hands of a mourning family at a drunkard’s grave. To add insult to injury, the title invokes a comparison to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, who condemned Jesus Christ to crucifixion. It suffices to say that the artist had little patience or regard for those not willing to vote dry. - #apmsav #savannah #prohibition #politicalcartoons #politics #drys #temperance See more

Don't worry, there is a flask to suit any lifestyle! Are you a photographer? Get a camera flask! Are you a big reader? The book The Four Spirits may be right up your alley! #apmsav #flasks #prohibition #1920s

Frequently Asked Friday! Q: Was it illegal to drink alcohol during Prohibition? A: Of all things guests learn when they visit with us, this one probably elicits the most surprise. No! Consumption of alcohol was not actually illegal under the 18th Amendment. So what WAS illegal? The language of the amendment specifically bans the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors. Basically, the legislators were depending on alcohol being completely unobtainable, ...and there would be no need to go after consumption rights. This way, anything legally purchased prior to January 17th, 1920 was yours to keep and enjoy in your house. It also meant the legal exceptions like sacramental wine and medicinal liquor could be consumed without legal ambiguity. To sum the law up: drink it if ya got it! - #apmsav #savannah #prohibition #faqs #constitution #laws #18thamendment #drinkup #1920s

Hmm...looks like this guy is trying to pull a fast one on Morgen! #apmsav #rumrunning #museum #CAST

Here is a little #tbt for you this Thursday! We are gearing up for Halloween, and this costume is always the one that is highly sought after! Who should wear it this year? #apmsav #halloween #moons

It's a Know Your Onions double-post day! Our web page is up, and we would love for you to go take a look! Click below! #apmsav #knowyouronions #webpage #webseries https://bit.ly/2HLwWwb

Do you think Colby is going to let in the Federal Agent? Find out on the next episode of Know Your Onions! #apmsav #knowyouronions #1920s

Don't worry! Jason isn't using this crate of whiskey for his class tonight, but what is he using? You'll have to take the class to find out! #apmsav #whiskeytasting #whiskeyclass

Look at his excitement! Are you ready for Billy Sunday? #apmsav #billysunday #waxfigure

Hatchets at the ready! #apmsav #carrynation

We only have two spots left for tonight's Cocktail Class! Are you going to be the one to sell it out? Book your spot below! #apmsav #cocktailclass https://www.trustedtours.com//cocktail-classes-in-congress

It’s all just a bunch of Hocus Pocus! Thank you for coming Stella and Heidi! #apmsav #hocuspocus #wagoween #renegade

It’s always good to see Pippa, especially when she is dressed to impress! #apmsav #wagoween #pups