The Ticonderoga Historical Society will present a free public program on Friday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. at the Hancock House, 6 Moses Circle, Ticonderoga.

The program will be titled “Our Best Endeavors: Temperance and Prohibition in the Champlain Valley” and will be presented by Susan Evans McClure, Executive Director of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum.

“When you think about Prohibition, most people imagine 1920s gangsters and bootleggers with tommy guns and fancy cars,” says McClure. “But to truly understand federal Prohibition in the Champlain Valley, you have to start earlier than the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1919. Vermont actually had statewide prohibition from 1853-1904.”

The program will spearhead the opening of the museum’s latest exhibit on Prohibition, examining how the Champlain Valley was transformed from major production and consumption of alcohol in the early 1800’s to a hotbed of temperance sentiment by the mid-19^th century. The program will free to the public and offered outdoors. It will be cancelled in the event of rain, and attendance will be limited to 35 persons. Reservations are required and social distancing guidelines will be enforced. Masks are mandatory and attendees should bring their own lawn chairs.

You may reserve a spot by contacting the Hancock House are 518-585-7868, or emailing them at tihistory@bridgepoint1.com