Maine Memory Network

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 - 1919 to 1934: The Nation Follows Maine Into Prohibition

"The Volstead or Prohibition Enforcement Act, passed by Congress on October 28, went into effect with Prohibition."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Reform and Repeal

"… Sabin, the Womens Organization for National Prohibition Reform became an effective anti-prohibition group. X W."

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

"The most prominent prohibition organization, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (W.C.T.U.), was founded in 1874."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Society Copes

"… to: 1919 to 1934: The Nation Follows Maine Into Prohibition X The 18th Amendment, 1920 Bowdoin Bugle 1920 Collections of Maine Historical…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Overview & Introduction

"… other States' and eventually the Nation's prohibition of alcohol. Read about the issues that framed the temperance debate and establish the…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Bootleggers vs. Police

"Prohibition cartoon, ca. 1925Maine Historical Society Prohibition's effectiveness in Jackman and Quebec, ca."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Politics and Enforcement

"The GOP tended to back Prohibition more often than the Democrats who were pictured as the party of immigrants and by association, alcohol."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Women Leaders and Temperance

"X W.C.T.U. Prohibition Progress ca. 1910 Collections of Maine Historical Society Coll. 1863, Box 3 X What Lillian M."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Quenching the Thirst

"… and sportspeople in the big woods in spite of Prohibition laws. Vanilla, with an alcoholic content, was imbibed by the truly desperate."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Business as Usual

"From the late 1880s, long after the Maine Law prohibited alcohol in Maine, the state was a key market."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Influential & Interesting Documents

"In spite of prohibitions against dancing, cards, billiards, etc., increased leisure time and prosperity heightened the demand for such entertainments…"

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

"In 1685, Maine taverns were prohibited from selling alcohol to Native Americans and were held accountable if they drank too much."

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

"… on paper at least, it stayed dry through National Prohibition. Celebrated as the "Napoleon of Temperance," Dow promoted his approach nationally and…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - A Call to Temperance

"… to 1865: Temperance and the Maine Law X Prohibition vs. License Early 19th century Collections of Maine Historical Society; gift of Marian…"

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

"… 1827, Neal Dow made some of his first converts to prohibition while serving as the clerk of the Deluge Fire Company."

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 - Temperance Membership

"… Temperance Membership Back to: 1820 to 1865: Temperance and the Maine Law "The results of our agitation will be the expulsion from all the…"

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

"Taverns, People, and Scenes Back to: 1620 to 1820: New England's Great Secret X Darby and Joan, ca."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - The Continuing Debate

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

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Acknowledgements

"Acknowledgements Advertisement or premium for Anheuser Busch Brewing Co., ca. 1892 Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division…"

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 - Neal Dow

"Neal Dow Back to: 1820 to 1865: Temperance and the Maine Law X Colonel Neal Dow, ca. 1865 Published by John Russell Hand-colored lithograph…"

Power of Potential

The National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs (NFBPWC) held their seventh annual convention in Portland during July 12 to July 18, 1925. Over 2,000 working women from around the country visited the city.