American Prohibition Museum

209 W. Julian St.
Historic District
Daily 10am-4:15pm
Admission $16 adult, $11 child 4-12
912-220-1249
website

Review

The 18th Amendment to the constitution outlawed the sale, consumption, and transportation of alcohol in the United States from 1919 until it was superceded by the 21st Amendment in 1933, which made it legal again.  But during those 14 years known as “prohibition,” alcohol didn’t stop flowing, it just flowed a little more discretely, and ceratinly illegally.

That’s where this fascinating, fun, and informative museum comes in.  It starts well before 1919 to explain how the temperance movement to get people to abstain from alcohol gained ground and traces the political and social powers that led to prohibition.  

Using easy to read graphics, photos, memorabilia, and interactive elements, the museum provides and in-depth view of topics like moonshine, rum-running, speakeasies, and the mafia and how it all affected the people and the businesses of the time.

They even have their own version of a speakeasy, Congress Street Up, that is open on Friday and Saturday nights and as part of the museum tour during every day except Sunday.  It offers fine craft cocktails, classes, and tastings.