Historical Society of Baltimore County

presents a Special Speaker Series Event

Speakeasies and Spirits

with guest speaker Dr. Michael T. Walsh

Saturday, October 24 from 3:00 - 5:00 pm

For a period of thirteen years (1920-1933) during the Roaring 1920s and Jazz Age, National Prohibition was the law of the land. Though the 18th Amendment had its share of supporters and opponents, there was perhaps no region more opposed to Prohibition than Baltimore and Maryland. The Free State was defiant in its protest from thoroughly wet Governor Albert Ritchie to esteemed Catholic Cardinal James Gibbons. Maryland was the only state to not pass a baby Volstead enforcement act. Speakeasies emerged at Frostburg’s Gunter Hotel and at Baltimore’s famed Belvedere Hotel, whose famous owls’ blinking eyes would notify its patrons if it was safe to indulge in bootleg liquor. Rumrunners were frequent on the Chesapeake Bay as bootleggers populated the city streets. Journalist H.L. Mencken, known as the “Sage of Baltimore,” drew national attention criticizing the new law. Dr. Walsh will present this “intoxicating” history of the Free State’s experience under the 18th Amendment!Author Dr. Michael T. Walsh a native of Baltimore, Maryland, is a historian who specializes in both twentieth-century U.S. history as well as local history. Michael majored in history and received his undergraduate degree from Loyola University, Maryland. He obtained a Master's degree in Historical Studies at University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and subsequently earned his Ph.D at UMBC in Public Policy with a concentration in Policy History. 

Michael has previously served as an Adjunct History professor at the Community College of Baltimore County, and  is currently the Director in the Office of Sponsored Programs at UMBC.   Michael is also a professional musician in various bands in the Maryland region. He currently resides in Parkville, MD with his wife, two daughters, and their Australia Shepherd.


Four spirit tasting selections provided by Louthan Distilling. Light fare provided. 

Admission: HSBC members, $40, Non-members $45, Registration required.

As a nonprofit we certainly appreciate any support you offer by joining as a member or making a donation. You can do this below if you choose.

Location: HSBC Almshouse, 9811 Van Buren Lane, Cockeysville, MD 21030

Questions? Please contact us at [email protected]

TicketsPrice

General Admission

Please use this option if you are not a member of HSBC.

$45.00

HSBC Members Only

For HSBC members, who can attend our Speakers events for free.

Not a member? Join now, using the options below, and book your ticket for free!

Please note that we reserve the right to refuse free admissions booked by anyone who is not a member.

$40.00

Donation

HSBC is a registered non-profit* and we welcome donations - any amount helps! Donations are one of our major sources of income and help us maintain our collections and programs. To learn more about the work that donations support at HSBC, please visit www.hsobc.org.

*The Baltimore County Historical Society (d.b.a. Historical Society of Baltimore County) is tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is a qualified organization for contribution purposes.

Total: $0.00

Membership

  • Membership - Individual

    Join HSBC now and enjoy free admission to this and other Sunday Speaker Series presentations, plus receive all of our other membership benefits, including:

    -Free unlimited admission to our library/research center
    -Free or discounted admission to Society-sponsored events, exhibits, and lectures
    -New issues of our public history journal, History Trails, and bi-monthly newsletter delivered to your home
    -Free access to downloadable copies of all past issues of History Trails since 1966
    -Discounts on staff-conducted research
    -Knowing you support the only organization that preserves and promotes Baltimore County history in its entirety!

    We offer additional membership levels and joint discounted memberships in the Maryland Historical Society. Please visit www.hsobc.org/membership/ to learn about the full range of membership options.

    Memberships are for one calendar year from the date of purchase.

    $40.00 ea.

  • Membership - Household

    Join HSBC now and enjoy free admission to this and other Sunday Speaker Series presentations, plus receive all of our other membership benefits listed above, for up to two adults and two children.

    We offer additional membership levels and joint discounted memberships in the Maryland Historical Society. Please visit www.hsobc.org/membership/ to learn about the full range of membership options.

    Memberships are for one calendar year from the date of purchase.

    $60.00 ea.

  • Membership - History Lover's

    Membership - History Lover's

    History Lover’s Individual Memberships include all of the above basic benefits plus access to the Greater Baltimore History Alliance and provides two free admissions to Alliance institutions.

    We offer additional membership levels and joint discounted memberships in the Maryland Historical Society. Please visit www.hsobc.org/membership/ to learn about the full range of membership options.

    Memberships are for one calendar year from the date of purchase.

    $120.00 ea.
$0.00

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