Prohibition and the jazz age

We’re all familiar with the prohibition era and the resulting gangsterism that captivated and menaced the United States from 1920 to 1933. The ill-thought out Volstead act, which prohibited the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages, forced innovative citizens to go to great lengths to get their hands on the ‘demon drink’ with speakeasies and illicit stills popping up all over the country.

Up to 10 million gallons of illegal spirits were smuggled into the US annually by rum-runners right up until 5th December 1933, when prohibition finally ended.

Get a flavour of this riveting tale by peering into our recreation of Eliot Ness’ office. Ness was one Chicago’s last honest police officers prepared to take on the likes of Al Capone with the help of his band of merry men, The Untouchables.

‘The Greatest Social

Experiment of Our Time’

During prohibition, the US enjoyed a drop in crime and a massive reduction in alcohol-related work absence. However, the rise of bootlegging and missing liquor tax revenue forced them to put an end to their 13-year long experiment in 1933.

Take a look around

Explore

Mr Jefferson’s office

Step inside this Dickensian office and be whisked back to an age of industry, right in the heart of Georgian Whitehaven.

Antiguan rainforest

A flavour of the sights, smells and sounds of the dense flora and fauna, all of which were completely alien to 17th century English settlers.

Slavery and the history of rum

In this thought-provoking exhibit we chronicle the history of harvesting and processing raw sugar cane to create the dark spirit we know today.

The Jeffersons

Delve into the history of one of the oldest wine and spirit merchants in the UK and discover their links to some of Britain’s greatest institutions.

Bonded warehouse

Ideally located in west Cumbria, the Jefferson warehouse was the perfect place to receive imported goods from the Caribbean.

Pirates and smugglers

Blow me down! Did you know that plundering pirates were engaged by the crown to attack enemy ships for silver, gold, tobacco and rum?

Rum and the Royal Navy

Life on board a navy ship was brutal and a spot of hard drinking was fair compensation for being permanently wet, in danger and at risk of disease.

Prohibition and the jazz age

Prohibition forced innovative citizens to go to great lengths to get their hands on the ‘demon drink’ with speakeasies and illicit stills.