Michael Lewis "The Coming of Southern Prohibition" (MEMBER EVENT)

Join us on Sunday, October 9 at 2:30 pm to hear author Michael Lewis talk about his newly-released book The Coming of Southern Prohibition. The book examines the rise and fall of South Carolina’s state-run liquor dispensary system from its emergence in 1892 until statewide prohibition in 1915. The dispensary system, requiring government-owned outlets to bottle and sell all alcohol, began as a way to avoid prohibition and enrich government coffers. The book focuses on the Aiken County dispensary located at the foot of the 13th Street bridge, connecting North Augusta to Augusta. The North Augusta dispensary ultimately sold more liquor than any other store in the state, and the money resulting from dispensary sales helped build parks and schools, pave roads and keep county and municipal taxes the lowest in South Carolina. Michael Lewis is an associate professor of sociology at Christopher Newport University in Virginia. He studies southern history, especially the period between Reconstruction and World War I. This event is free to AHC, NACAC, NAAG and North Augusta Heritage Council members or $5 for non-members. If interested in attending, please call the AHC at 803-441-4380 to register.