Prohibition exhibit opening scheduled for Friday at History Museum on the Square

QUINCY — An exhibit covering the Prohibition years in the Quincy area is installed at the History Museum on the Square at 332 Maine, and a “Rendezvous at the Blind Tiger” party from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 16, will open the exhibit.

The unusual name for the event is a combination of the generalized name for a place that sells alcohol illegally — blind pig or blind tiger — with the name of one of the most elaborate and notorious road houses in the area — the Rendezvous, located south of Quincy at that time at 36th and State.

During the party, the museum’s player piano will be put to good use rolling out music from the 1920’s. An area of the museum will be reimagined as a soft drink parlor and “Gin Rickey’s” and other drinks of the period will be available. Hors d’oeuvres will be served and guests are encouraged to come in period attire.

The new exhibit will feature advertising memorabilia and newspaper articles gathered from Quincy and Adams County which show the local response to the constraints of prohibition from 1920–1933. Items from Ruff Brewery and J.J. Flynn Bottling as well as unique pieces from the society’s collection will be displayed. A 1924 map identifying the many ‘road houses” of the era will be available, and museum guests will learn stories about some of Quincy’s most flamboyant ladies during that time.

The party and the exhibit are free and open to the public, and the exhibit will be on display in the museum for several months with additional pieces added as time permits.