Cheers, Virginia!

On Display
to
Exhibition Type
Limited Time Exhibition
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Yellow and white text on a green background reads Cheers Virginia! To the bottom right are three icons of hands holding a wine glass, beer mug, and spirits snifter.

About the Exhibition: Celebrate the work of craft brewing, distilling, and fermenting and the makers whose art fill your glass. From homebrewers to local distillers and wineries, alcohol makers have captured the soul and identity of Virginia with their intoxicating offerings. 

Highlights: See artifacts from Virginia's beverage history, including a liquor chest given by the Marquis de Lafayette to William Cabell, Jr. as a token of his service during the Revolutionary War; fluted drinking glasses belonging to George Washington; the Champion mint julep cup presented to John Dabney by the City of Richmond in 1860; and more.  

Inside the Cheers, Virginia! Exhibition

Cheers, Virginia! Featured Artifacts

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A silver goblet with the name John Dabney engraved on it
Silver cup presented to John Dabney by the citizens of Richmond for “Champion Julep,” May 1860

From the VMHC Collection, 2021.38.1-2.

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A green glass bottle of 1899 Claret from Monticello Wine Company
Wine and Bottle, Monticello Wine Co. Virginia, Claret, 1899

From the VMHC Collection, 2003.183.

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A square scarf with a blue border and an illustration of three people in the center, two of whom play handheld drums and 1 of whom plays a flute. Words read "Repeal the 18th Amendment: More Beer Less Taxes"
"Repeal the 18th Amendment/ More Beer Less Taxes" scarf, 1920s

From the VMHC Collection, 2003.424.

Explore the Cheers, Virginia! Exhibition

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A gallery view of the Cheers, Virginia! exhibition with graphics and artifacts related to beverage history in Virginia
Entrance to the exhibition
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A gallery view of the Cheers, Virginia! exhibition with graphics and artifacts related to beverage history in Virginia
Alcohol in Early Virginia
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A gallery view of the Cheers, Virginia! exhibition with graphics and artifacts related to beverage history in Virginia
Virginia's Crafting Community
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People explore the Cheers, Virginia! exhibition with graphics and artifacts related to beverage history in Virginia
Sensory aspects of beverages
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People explore the Cheers, Virginia! exhibition with graphics and artifacts related to beverage history in Virginia
Cider history in Virginia
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People explore the Cheers, Virginia! exhibition with graphics and artifacts related to beverage history in Virginia
Brewing ingredients
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People explore the Cheers, Virginia! exhibition with graphics and artifacts related to beverage history in Virginia
Virginia beverage packaging
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People explore the Cheers, Virginia! exhibition with graphics and artifacts related to beverage history in Virginia
Distilling history in Virginia, including a copper still