An exhibit about Prohibition is an opportunity to look at an important national story as experienced through the lives of New Yorkers, both rural and urban. The thirteen-year “noble experiment” was rooted in more than a century of activism by temperance advocates who sought to first limit alcohol consumption and then to ban it entirely. From New York City in the west to the coastal villages on the North and South Forks, Prohibition affected nearly everyone living on Long Island during this time. During these “dry” years, Long Island and its adjacent waters were integral to New York City’s drinking culture. Large breweries in Brooklyn switched to making “near beer;” enterprising residents tried making their own beer, wine, and liquor; while others smuggled in foreign alcohol through Long Island’s waterways and harbors. From cocktails to crime, the era has left an indelible impression on American culture.
The Long Island Museum
Located at 1200 Route 25A in Stony Brook, the Long Island Museum is a Smithsonian affiliate, dedicated to enhancing the lives of adults and children with an understanding of Long Island's rich history and diverse cultures.
The museum is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m and Sunday from noon to 5.
Regular admission is $10 per person, $7 for seniors and $5 for students ages six to 17. Children under six and museum members are free.
For more information call 631-751-0066