The Intoxicating History of the American Revolution
Eighteenth-century Americans consumed a staggering amount of alcohol compared to us today. Drink influenced their politics, built and sustained their relationships, and drove the economy. Booze was not a small part of colonial society, nor covertly consumed in private spaces—it was integral to American life. When the colonists rebelled against the British Empire, this culture of drink and taverns helped foster revolution.
As the first in our Fall Speaker Series, join historian Brooke Barbier for a lively talk about the influence of tavern and drinking culture on the American Revolution. This talk pairs with our Tavern Night on Friday, September 25th. This year’s theme is “Spirits of ’76”! To learn about the breweries, music, tickets, and more for Tavern Night, click here.
The Speaker series is held at Dedham Museum & Archive, 612 High Street, Dedham, MA.
Admission: Free to members, $10 non-members at the door. No advance registration is needed.
This talk will not be recorded, so don’t miss out and attend this presentation.
About Brooke:
Brooke Barbier is a public historian who received her PhD in American history from Boston College, researching Boston’s social and cultural life during and after the American Revolution. While earning her graduate degree, she taught history at Boston College and Stonehill College.
Two of Brooke’s favorite things are history and beer, so in 2013 she founded Ye Olde Tavern Tours, which offers tours of Boston’s historic sites and taverns (beer is included!). She is the author of the award-winning King Hancock: The Radical Influence of a Moderate Founding Father, and Boston in the American Revolution: A Town Versus an Empire. Her latest book, Cocked and Boozy: An Intoxicating History of the American Revolution examines the influence of alcohol on the founding generation and received a starred review from Booklist and positive reviews from the The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Her essays have appeared in The Washington Post, Daily Beast, People, Slate, and Air Mail.
Click on this link if you’d like to read some of Brooke’s writings on alcohol consumption during the American Revolution or visit