Union County - Westfield - "Liberal Libations of the 18th Century”
Sunday, March 8 – Union County 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
"Liberal Libations of the 18th Century”
Miller-Cory House Museum, 614 Mountain Avenue, Westfield
Colonists treasured their beer, rum, and hard cider. "Mourt's Relation," a journal kept by the Pilgrims, states that the Pilgrims decided to land in Massachusetts instead of sailing on to Virginia because they were running out of beer! Colonists, adult and children alike, drank alcoholic beverages. Popular, too, were punches or "flowing bowls" mixing strong drink with sugar and other ingredients.
Alcoholic beverages were believed to have curative powers, curing everything from lung diseases to wormwood. Thomas Jefferson stated, "Beer, if drunk in moderation, softens the temper, cheers the spirit, promotes health."
Come and learn about the many alcoholic beverages the colonist consumed on a daily basis. Visitors will be able to sample a non-alcoholic punch. Tours of the fully furnished, c1740 museum and open-hearth cooking demonstrations are included. Admission is $5.00 for adults and children 13 and older, $3.00 for children ages 3 to 12 and free under age 3. For more information, please call 908-232-1776 or email millercoymuseum@gmail.com. The museum’s website is www.millercoryhouse.org
