Franco-American Temperance Workers
Westbrook, ca. 1920
Collections of Maine Historical Society/Maine Today Media
Coll. 1949; 2005.061.13657
These temperate citizens on a parade review stand in Westbrook, show the serious side of Prohibition.
Who Profits from Beer?
Christian Civic League of Maine
Collections of Maine Historical Society
Coll. 1863, Box 3
The Christian Civic League was founded in 1898 and became a mainstay of the dry movement.
Toe Tag: I Am Out On a Hell of a Time
Collections of Maine Historical Society
Coll. 1863, 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.
The Beer Question
Newspaper clipping, April 27, 1933.
Collections of Maine Historical Society
Coll. 1863, Box 3
Their Security Demands You Vote Repeal
Courtesy of the Charles E. Burden Collection
Led by New York's Pauline Sabin, the Womens Organization for National Prohibition Reform became an effective anti-prohibition group.
W. C. T. U. Sign
Early 20th century
Courtesy of The Great Lost Bear, Portland
This impassioned sign summarizes the attitude and goals of the Prohibition movement.
Overindulgence post card, 1938
Maine Historical Society
I'm Making Whoopie-e at Old Orchard Beach, 1938
Postcard
Collections of Maine Historical Society, a gift from Charles E. Burden
Coll. 2093, B2F6
Shall We have a State Liquor Store in our Town (or City)?, 1936
Waterville
Collections of Maine Historical Society, a gift from Charles E. Burden
Coll. 2093, B2F6
This Christian Civic League handbill encourages citizens in Waterville to prevent liquor being sold in their town. Maine towns voted on this issue every two years.
The Joy of Repeal (Bacchus), 1933
Abbott Fuller Graves (1859-1936)
Oil on canvas
Courtesy of Charles and Joanne Cochrane
Graves, a respected Kennebunkport artist, painted this fleshy tribute in honor of the repeal of Prohibition. Though some individual towns would choose to remain dry, the Noble Experiment had ended for the state and nation.
Patrick and Marie Cyr, ca. 1940
Biddeford
Courtesy of Janet and Ray Verrier
Acadian entrepreneurs from Van Buren, Patrick (1897-1959) made beer for sale and Marie (1903-1975) occasionally smuggled in liquor from Canada during the 1930s. Like members of other ethnic groups, they ran a kitchen bar. After moving to Biddeford, they show the same enjoyment of life.
GALLERIES: Bootleggers vs. Police | Society Copes | Reform and Repeal