The Museum, in partnership with the Irish Heritage Society of McLean County, is pleased to present Director of Education Candace Summers’ illustrated program, “Wet or Dry? Prohibition in McLean County,” on Tuesday, February 12 at 6:30 p.m.

On January 16, 1919, the 18th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution was ratified—prohibiting the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcoholic beverages. From that point on, Americans were fighting a ticking clock—counting down the months, days, and hours until National Prohibition went into effect one year later on January 17, 1920. McLean County may not seem like the typical area where bootlegging and rum running flourished in the early 20th century—but it did! This presentation will explore the who, what, and why of national Prohibition at the local level, and ultimately why it failed. Rarely seen Prohibition-era items from the Museum’s collection will be on display during the program.

For more information about this program, please contact the Education Department at [email protected] or 309-827-0428