Please join us for a conversation about 19th century taverns, politics, and democracy with Jon Grinspan, Curator of Political History at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

In the 1800s, saloons became the center of American politics. Diverse, working class populations gravitated to America’s many saloons to debate the issues, fight with rivals, and plot campaigns, all over frothy mugs of lager.

At a time of tribal partisanship, violent politics, and a disrupted and anxious citizenry, millions found a rare source of stability, identity, and community drinking beer in neighborhood saloons. These same institutions could be exclusive along race and gender lines, but fostered vibrant populist politics. Around the turn-of-the-century, well-to-do reformers targeted this saloon culture, openly working to suppress the votes of working class immigrants. The resulting Anti-Saloon League, and eventual victory of Prohibition, were in large part designed to quiet this working class political culture. Across the nation – but especially in Chicago’s wards – Prohibitionist reformers and working class politicos fought a decisive battle over saloon politics, with impacts that still resonate today.

This virtual happy hour takes place via Zoom and Facebook Live.