The Rise and Fall of Prohibition Opens at Grand Rapids Public Museum Tomorrow

Tomorrow, September 26, American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition will grace the galleries of the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) through January 17, 2016. This exhibit explores America’s most colorful and complex constitutional hiccup, spanning from the inception of the temperance movement, through the Roaring ’20s, to the unprecedented repeal of the constitutional amendment.In addition to the exhibit,the GRPM will offer a variety of community and educational programs to complement the exhibition. Programs vary from free with admission to an additional cost to participants.

Admission to American Spirits; The Rise and Fall of Prohibition will be included with general admission to the GRPM. This exhibit is free to Museum members.

The programming schedule includes:

Member Preview
Friday, September 25 for the first viewing of the exhibit. The preview will be from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are first come first serve. Members can RSVP at grpm.org/SpiritsPreview. For more information on becoming a member, visit grpm.org/membership.

Opening Weekend
A fun filled weekend opening weekend of American Spirits! The Great Gatsby cast from the Grand Rapids Civic Theater will be interacting with guests and activities like building oversized Lincoln Log cabins and interactive dance lessons taking place on the Galleria floor. It is an exciting weekend to be the first in the community to see American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition.

Cocktail Classes
For the first three Tuesdays in October (October 6, 13, and 20), join the GRPM and New Holland Brewing for hands on cocktail classes in the Museum. Tickets are $10 and include general admission.

Legacy Awards Gala
Join the GRPM for the 7th Annual Jay & Betty Van Andel Legacy Awards Gala on Thursday, November 12 starting at 5:30 p.m.  Attire is roaring 20s fashion. Tickets may be purchased by calling 616.929.1754 or at grpm.org/legacyawardsgala.

Family Workshops
Make your own marbles at the Grand Rapids Public Museum on November 14 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Learn how to make your own marbles out of clay, and while they bake play some of the original marble games that were popular in the 1920s! All ages welcome, recommended for ages 6-12. The workshop is $12 per person and includes general admission to the Museum. For more information visit grpm.org.

Last Call! Closing Weekend
The last call is the last chance to see the exhibit on January 16 & 17, 2016! January 17 marks the 95th anniversary of the 18th amendment. On this weekend meet historic figures such as Wayne Wheeler and Carry Nation who helped bring about this constitutional amendment. As you journey through the history of Prohibition in American Spirits, hear in depth talks about the era, the culture and the changes that were seen in 1920. Saturday, January 16, join Speak EZ Lounge in the Meijer Theater at 3 p.m. for an exclusive mixology presentation.

American Spirits is a national touring exhibition created by the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and curated by Daniel Okrent, Pulitzer Prize finalist and author of Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition. The exhibition includes 17 artifacts on loan from the Collection of the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

Support for American Spirits is provided by Amway, Anheuser Busch, West Side Beer Distributing, Experience Grand Rapids, Long Road Distillers, New Holland Brewing, Alliance Beverage Distributing Company, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, Brewery Vivant, WoodTV 8, and Mlive Media Group.

American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition is made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor.