Would you believe there is only one museum dedicated to the Prohibition Era in the entire country?
One! And yet, this fascinating time in our history was filled to the brim with characters. One hundred years later, their exploits, motivations, vehicles—even their recipes—tell stories that loom larger than life. We’re talking about a six-foot-tall woman crisscrossing the country smashing saloons with a hatchet, a crime boss whose operation raked in $100 million per year, and a rum-running, teetotaling Captain who made his fortune on the top-shelf tastes of others.
When you think about it, it’s no less than you might expect after a 70-year nationwide push to outlaw alcohol and then the rip-roaring 13 years in which alcohol’s sale, manufacture, and transportation (but not the drinking, itself!) was banned. “With speakeasies, flappers, White Lightning moonshine, and Rum Row, this is definitely not your typical ‘dry’ museum,” says Museum Director Kayla Black with a laugh. “It’s not the kind of place that only history buffs and museum enthusiasts will enjoy—it’s fun for everyone.”
And no matter what your speed, there’s an experience for you.
With a regular ticket, visitors encounter photos, murals and videos that captivate the senses. The museum houses more than 200 historical artifacts and restored Prohibition-Era vehicles. Forty-five-minute guided tours, led by fully costumed guides bursting with stories, feature 1,000 artifacts spread throughout 12 galleries, videos and interactive displays, and even 35 wax figures! Cocktail Classes include a specific lesson on the history of Prohibition-Era libations and step-by-step recipes for two period-accurate cocktails or mocktails (one shaken, one stirred).
“In April,” says Kayla, “we will launch a brand-new Guided Tour and Cocktail Experience. Guests enjoy a full-length Guided Tour with one of our knowledgeable docents. Then they take a short-form Cocktail Class, where they’ll sample a classic stirred cocktail. Then make a shaken cocktail along with an instructor. Ninety minutes long, cocktails are an hour after your tour begins. Stay tuned for more details,” she says.
So, if you’ve ever wondered why Savannah was dubbed the “Bootleg Spigot of the South” or longed to see the Speakeasy that Zagat labeled “One of the Hottest Bars in Savannah,” the American Prohibition Museum is just the ticket. Located next to the beautiful Ellis Square in City Market, this is an experience you will not want to miss!
By Dani Ray
American Prohibition Museum
209 W. St. Julian St.
(912) 220-1249
www.americanprohibitionmuseum.com