Maine Memory Network

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Drinking Implements

"Drinking Implements Back to: 1620 to 1820: New England's Great Secret X Scamman Jug, 1689-1702 Germany, Westerwald District Salt-glazed…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Why Study the History of Drinking?

"Why Study the History of Drinking? The history of drinking in Maine and America is rich and complex."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Drinking: Elegance and Debauchery

"Drinking: Elegance and Debauchery Back to: 1820 to 1865: Temperance and the Maine Law Cartoon, Portland Watch or Cracking Notes, ca."

Prohibition in Maine in the 1920s

Federal Prohibition took hold of America in 1920 with the passing of the Volstead Act that banned the sale and consumption of all alcohol in the US. However, Maine had the Temperance movement long before anyone was prohibited from taking part in one of America's most popular past times. Starting in 1851, the struggles between the "drys" and the "wets" of Maine lasted for 82 years, a period of time that was everything but dry and rife with nothing but illegal activity.

Rum, Riot, and Reform - 1620 to 1820: New England's Great Secret

"1850Maine Historical Society The Coming of Drink to New England (1620–1820) For Maine's early European settlers, alcohol was a social institution, a…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - 1820 to 1865: Temperance and the Maine Law

"Though Dow's legal attempt to completely abolish drinking was never fully successful, the attention he brought the issues helped change people's…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Overview & Introduction

"… gradual—and sometimes riotous—move towards drinking reform. This web site is a reproduction of the exhibition that documented these events and was…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - The Continuing Debate

"… promotional poster, 1998 X Excessive drinking, once New England's secret, is now a recognized public issue."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Quenching the Thirst

"1910Maine Historical Society Don't Drink the Vanilla Isaac Simpson (1874-1957), Amity, Maine Photograph, ca."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Society Copes

"Sewall. Keeping, drinking, and serving alcohol was by no means limited to one social, economic, religious, or ethnic part of the population."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - A Call to Temperance

"… (1790-1856), an Irish priest concerned about drinking in his homeland began a highly successful temperance crusade in 1838."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Temperance Membership

"… traffic in intoxicating liquors to be used as a drink, we hope that the State of Maine will have the honor of leading this glorious reform." Neal…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - 1865 to 1919: The Drys Gain New Adherents and Leaders

"… laws were gradually strengthened, and brewing, drinking, and selling were outlawed in the State Constitution in 1885."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Influential & Interesting Documents

"951, vol. 14 Public drinking establishments were regulated in Maine as early as 1636 when tavern keepers were held accountable for allowing anyone to…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Business as Usual

"After Maine went dry in 1851, it was illegal to drink, possess, or sell alcohol but manufacturing remained legal until a stricter law was added to…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - 1919 to 1934: The Nation Follows Maine Into Prohibition

"Statistically, legal drinking declined sharply while illegal drinking became so popular that it helped stimulate new heights of crime and evasion."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Politics and Enforcement

"Cider as an Alcoholic Drink, WCTU pamphlet, ca. 1920 Collections of Frances Willard House Museum and WCTU ArchivesMaine Historical Society Union…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Taverns, People, and Scenes

"Workers or apprentices are shown working and drinking on their grog break. "At eleven o'clock on each day the bell would ring, the masons come…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Reform and Repeal

"… Box 3 Humor has been an integral part of the drinking scene from the earliest times. This specimen was given out with Belfast 5" cigars."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Acknowledgements

"… and Reform: Maine and the History of American Drinking Curators: Bill Barry Nan Cumming Design: Nan Cumming Mark Skinner Duncan Smith Tony Taylor…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Neal Dow

"… shows the development and rising demand for soft drinks and their evolution from cure-all tonics. X Neal Dow Commemorative Goblet, 1856…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Women Leaders and Temperance

"… they themselves had pledged to abstain from drinking alcohol. X The Beautiful Life of Frances E. Willard Anna A."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Bootleggers vs. Police

"… obeyed the laws, but many found ingenious ways to drink, hide, transport, and sell spirits. Illegal roadhouses, kitchen bars, and clubs joined…"

Maine Sweets: Confections and Confectioners

From chocolate to taffy, Mainers are inventive with our sweet treats. In addition to feeding our sweet tooth, it's also an economic driver for the state.