Media Alert
July 14, 2022
Taylor Fuqua, Manager of PR & Marketing; tfuqua@VirginiaHistory.org; 804.342.9661
Richmond, Va- The Virginia Museum of History & Culture continues its opening celebrations with a toast to Virginia beer, wine and spirits. These 400-year traditions span all corners of the Commonwealth.
Exhibition: Cheers, Virginia!
Dates: Aug. 6, 2022-Jan. 29, 2023
Venue: The Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond, Virginia, USA. David and Susan Goode Gallery
Admission: Free with museum admission ($10 general admission; free for VMHC members; discounts for seniors, children and military/veterans)
About the Exhibition: Celebrate the brewing, distilling and fermenting craft and the makers whose art fills your glass. Alcohol has been a part of life in the Commonwealth for more than four centuries. From the arrival of the first Europeans, winemaking, brewing and distilling have been the work of Virginians, and their products have been enjoyed widely. Shaped by the land and the innovation and creativity of its makers, Virginia continues to play a unique role in the story of alcohol in America. Cheers, Virginia! explores how makers have used their talent and enthusiasm to connect with and represent the people, places and history of the Commonwealth.
The exhibition explores how these makers have affected life in the Commonwealth, including early Virginians' need to drink alcohol as an alternative to unsafe drinking water; George Washington's contribution to distilling in the country's earliest days; the need for packaging and transport that led to numerous inventions; prohibition that evolved from the temperance movement and its ultimate repeal; current craft brewing, distilling and winemaking culture and practitioners; and much more.
Square feet: 1,700
Number of artifacts: 50
Liquor chest given by the Marquis de Lafayette to William Cabell, Jr. as a token of his service during the Revolutionary War (VMHC 1986.51)
Fluted drinking glasses belonging to George Washington (VMHC 1939.10.4.a-b)
Copper still made by Arnold & Fiske of Richmond, about 1860 (VMHC 2000.201)
Virginia liquor taxation stamp, 1916 (VMHC 1996.10.1)
"Repeal the 18th Amendment/ More Beer Less Taxes" scarf, 1920s (VMHC 2003.424)
Champion mint julep cup presented to John Dabney by the city of Richmond, 1860 (VMHC 2021.38.1)
Parkway Brewing Company “Get Bent” beer tap handle (VMHC 2015.38.2)
Monticello Wine Company wine bottle, Charlottesville, VA, late 1800s (2003.183)
Reynolds Metals Company alcohol advertisements (2004.240.11)
Richbrau Premium Beer bottle, brewed and bottled by Home Brewing Company, mid-1900s (2004.213.39)
Sherry glass, 1720s (1969.24)
Curator: Paige Newman, VMHC
Related Programs:
Fifth Annual BrewHaHa craft beer festival, Aug. 6 at 6.p.m
Enjoy beer selections from a wide variety of Virginia breweries from across the Commonwealth, live music from the Slack Family Band, food trucks and access to Cheers, Virginia!
Tickets: $10-$45 (with early bird discount through July 24)
Virginia Distilled, Sep. 17 at 6.p.m
Celebrate Virginia Spirits month at the inaugural Virginia Distilled festival featuring samples of spirits produced by distillers from around the Commonwealth, live music, food trucks and after-hours access to Cheers, Virginia!
Tickets: $10-$35
Virginia Vines, Oct. 15 at 6.p.m
Featuring wine selections from some of Virginia’s best wineries and vineyards, live jazz, food trucks, and access to Cheers, Virginia!
Tickets: $10-$35
Additional images available here.
"Repeal the 18th Amendment/ More Beer Less Taxes" scarf, 1920s (VMHC 2003.424)
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture is the only institution dedicated to presenting the entire history of Virginia over time and across regions. Its nationally significant collection of more than 9 million objects, renowned research library, galleries and public programs demonstrate the centrality of Virginia to the narrative of the United States.
The VMHC is owned and operated by the Virginia Historical Society — a private, non-profit organization established in 1831. The historical society is the oldest cultural organization in Virginia and one of the oldest and most distinguished history organizations in the nation.