Liquid History: Pub Crawl

The Western Illinois Museum is planning a new annual program, Liquid History: A Pub Crawl, an engaging walking tour of three historic buildings on Macomb’s Courthouse Square.  The guided tour explores the region’s history at the turn of the twentieth century. Guests encounter re-enactors who will make the Gilded Age and Progressive era in Macomb come to life: the boom and bust of railroads, bootlegging and the temperance movement, and the age’s “New Woman.” Guests will also learn about the history of the buildings.  The tour includes an opportunity to enjoy the hospitality and purchase refreshments at each location.

The event will be held on Saturday, April 9^th from 4:30 to 6:30 pm.  Guests are asked to check in at the Western Illinois Museum located at 201 South Lafayette Street where they will organize into groups, each led by a guide in period dress depicting a local historical figure. Space is limited to three groups of 15 each to ensure space at each venue. Check-in at the museum begins at 3:30 pm.  Tickets are $10 and participants must be 21 years or older.  Venues reserve the right to request proof of age. Food and drink are not included in ticket price. Guests will receive a complimentary glass with the event logo courtesy of the Macomb Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Tour stops include three late 1800s buildings on Macomb’s historic Courthouse Square: Chandler Hall and current home of Magnolia Restaurant, The Sports Corner, originally known as the Bailey Block, and Taylor Hall, now home to the Wine Sellers and Sullivan Taylor Coffee House. Guests can expect to meet re-enactors depicting figures such as the baseball player turned temperance movement preacher, Billy Sunday; Civil War veteran and business man, C.V. Chandler, and Confederate Colonel Simon Lafayette Sommers, a local land agent from Virginia; and a few suffragettes engaged in conversation with Judge J. Ross Mickey.

The Western Illinois Museum is located at 201 South Lafayette Street, one block south of Macomb’s historic Courthouse Square. For more information contact the Western Illinois Museum at 309.837.2750 or info@wimuseum.org.