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Alcohol In Vermont: Creation To Consumption, Tolerance To Temperance

April 9, 2015 By eastwickpress

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submitted by The Bennington Museum

“The history of Vermont’s relationship with alcohol reflects the struggle to reach a balance between personal freedom and the regulation of a powerful substance that can bring enjoyment or ruin lives.” states Callie Stewart, Collections Manager and curator of Alcohol in Vermont: Creation to Consumption, Tolerance to Temperance on view at the Bennington Museum from March 28 through June 21.  [private] Sponsored by Bennington Beverage Outlet and Vermont Public Radio (VPR), this exhibition and related events examine the significant role of alcohol in Vermont’s history.  In the late 1700s taverns were the center of community life and alcohol was consumed in quantities unimaginable today.  The 1800s witnessed the rising up of reformers who fought the evils of addiction and drunkenness; Politicians intensely debated the regulation of alcohol in some of the most notorious elections in state history.  Later in the 20th century, the craft beer movement took hold and today Vermont is one of the largest producers of craft brew in the nation, with cideries and distilleries on the rise. The story of alcohol in Vermont is about the artistry and innovation of creation, as well as the delights and perils of consumption.  Highlights of this exhibit include Ethan Allen’s bartab, beautiful historic glassware for high class drinking, records and banners from local temperance societies, the original sign from the Walloomsac Inn, and a flask used by a local flapper.

Frederick D. Burt (1881-1966) Clam Bake, 1911 Glass Plate Negative. From the Collection of Bennington Museum.
Frederick D. Burt (1881-1966) Clam Bake, 1911 Glass Plate Negative. From the Collection of Bennington Museum.

The Early Days

Taverns offered both lodging for travelers and a place for locals to socialize, conduct business and discuss local issues and politics.  Catamount Tavern was the Green Mountain Boys headquarters, and it was here that Ethan Allen planned his daring raid of Fort Ticonderoga in 1775.  Other meetings of consequence held at the tavern were the Council of Safety meeting prior to the 1777 Battle of Bennington, and the meeting of Vermont’s new General Assembly in March of 1778.  Another tavern of note – The Walloomsac Inn – served as a community watering hole where local business was conducted regularly.  For travelers, inns served a vital role as stagecoaches ran regularly scheduled routes, and every hour or so the horses would be changed at a public inn.   Stagecoach travel was hot, noisy, and uncomfortable and even women who were unaccustomed to drinking were expected to partake at the end of the day to refresh themselves

1800s Bring Change

The average alcohol consumption for Americans amounted to thirty-four gallons of beer and cider, five gallons of distilled spirits, and one gallon of wine annually.  There were 125 to 200 active distilleries operating in the state of Vermont in 1810.  It was this degree of creation and consumption that initiated great debate on the control of alcohol.  Some town leaders believed that institutions such as the church, schools, and state should be responsible for demanding moral behavior.  Others claimed that personal freedom was too important and that men and women were responsible for their own habits.  Temperance reform was primarily aimed at saloons and public drunkenness, and wealthy socialites were slow to give up their wine.

In the early 1800s temperance reformers focused on moral persuasion to reduce or “temper” the amount of alcohol consumed while politicians debated the regulation of alcohol.  How far could the state influence the public good without infringing on personal liberty?  Should regulations be decided on a local level, or in Montpelier or even Washington?  As the movement grew, many Vermonters resented those individuals and public entities (including government) that were trying to regulate their personal habits.

The 1840s saw reformers starting to doubt the efficacy of moral persuasion which led to an attempt to instead cut off access to alcohol.  Sellers of alcohol had to be licensed by the county court, and in January 1845 referendums were held in each county. Central and western Vermont voted themselves dry, while northern and southern counties voted for restricted licenses.  Shortly after, in 1852, Vermont narrowly passed a law completely prohibiting the sale of alcohol in the state which remained in effect for fifty years.  Frustrated with the lack of enforcement and change brought about by the current laws, the late 1800s saw stronger actions by organizations such as the Bennington Temperance League, National Christian Temperance Union, Citizens League of Bennington, and the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.  They took matters into their own hands and organized citizens of similar thought by introducing pledges to abstain from drinking of alcoholic beverages.  Meeting with limited success, perhaps the strongest outcome of these efforts was found in the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) that was formed in 1874 and led to the women’s suffrage movement in Vermont broadening the horizons of rural Vermont women and fostering their talents as public speakers, organizers, and leaders.

 What Came Next

After 50 years of tinkering with Vermont’s ineffective prohibitory law, many were ready to reject it all together. A Local Option was introduced which meant that individual towns could decide whether to grant licenses to sell liquor.  In 1902, a fierce state campaign pitted John G. McCullough against Percival Clement, who was in favor of legalizing the sale of alcohol making it a taxable commodity.  Clement lost the election but the Local Option Movement won.  A statewide referendum was approved replacing prohibition with local option.  Bennington voted itself wet until 1914 when it returned to a dry state.

Taking effect in 1920, the Eighteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution prohibited the production, transportation and sale of alcohol.  After this, there was a reduction in alcohol consumption among the general public, but a significant increase in crimes involving the production and distribution of illegal alcohol.  Organized criminal syndicates were able to take advantage of weak enforcement, understaffed police forces, and corrupt public officials to establish powerful smuggling networks especially over the Canadian border into Vermont and onward from there.   Once again, a change was coming as anti-prohibition groups, backed by powerful business interests and media members, were able to build enough opposition to have prohibition repealed.

Today in Vermont

In 1988, Greg Noonan started a new movement when he opened the Vermont Pub and Brewery.  However, before it even opened, it took three years to convince Montpelier to change archaic laws forbidding the purchase and consumption of alcohol where it was made.  Changing that law made Vermont one of the first states to create a fertile ground for brewpubs and microbreweries.  In an era dominated by large mass producers of beer, one could not find equipment for small breweries.  Noonan had to improvise using a maple sap boiler and farm equipment.  This rudimentary start and tough beginning paid off and also paved the way for dozens of microbreweries that have opened since.  Vermont now boasts more breweries per capita than any other state in the country, some of them reaching national recognition and others choosing to remain small.   In addition to craft brews, small wineries, cideries, and distilleries are also evolving, taking advantage of Vermont’s local agriculture and appetite for locally produced beverages.

Related Events

Join us on April 10, 7 to 10 pm for “Jazz and Spirits,” a wonderful event highlighting the spirits of Vermont.  Sip your way through a variety of craft spirits from distillers throughout the Green Mountain State.  This event will be held in the Paresky Wing of the Bennington Museum. Music by the Jeff McRae Band.  Hearty cuisine from Wild Oats Market. Free babysitting on site – limited space, call for reservation.     The price is $75/per person for tickets to attend both this event and the Blues and Brews Event on May 15.  $45/per person for a ticket to this event only.  Reservations taken at 802-447-1571.

On May 15, the museum hosts “Blues and Brews,” an exciting event to engage guests in the art of craft brewing. Taste some of the newest and best brews including beers, ales, porters and more.  Music by the Jeff McRae Band.  Hearty cuisine from Wild Oats Market. Free babysitting on site – limited space, call for reservation.  7 to 10 pm    Price:  $75/per person for tickets to attend both this event and the Jazz and Spirits Event on April 10.  $45/per person for a ticket to this event only.  Reservations taken at 802-447-1571.

Friday, June 5 at 8 pm – First Friday finds the museum open late – straight through the viewing of Disappearances, a Kingdom County Production by Jay Craven.  Based on the award-winning novel by Howard Frank Mosher, the film is the story of schemer and dreamer Quebec Bill Bonhomme.  It is a spellbinding tale of high-stakes whiskey-smuggling, a family’s mysterious past, and a young boy’s rite of passage.  Set in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom in 1932, just months before the repeal of Prohibition, the film stars Kris Kristofferson, Charlie McDermott, Genevieve Bujold, Gary Farmer, William Sanderson, Lothaire Bluteau, Luis Guzman, Bill Raymond, Heather Rea, John Griesemer.  $5 members, $7 non-members.  Rated:  PG13, parental guidance advised.

About the Museum

Bennington Museum is located at 75 Main Street (Route 9) in Bennington, Through May, the museum is open every day except Wednesday, 10 am to 5 pm and open daily June through October.  It is wheelchair accessible.   Regular admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and students over 18.  Admission is never charged for younger students, museum members, or to visit the museum shop.  Visit the museum’s website www.benningtonmuseum.org or call 802-447-1571 for more information. [/private]

Filed Under: Front Page, Rensselaer County

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