Prohibition Era Rochester: A Family Affair

Abstract

This project researched the largely overlooked historical topic of Rochester, NY during the Prohibition Era. It draws upon a wide variety of sources, including oral history from the author’s family who were directly involved in the illegal sale of alcohol in Rochester. These stories offer unique insight into the heretofore-undocumented side of the speakeasy operators. The combination of oral history and more traditional research offers a diverse interpretation of Rochester NY during the Prohibition Era. The project also includes a historiography of research on Prohibition in general and Rochester specifically as well as a DBQ designed for 8th grade US history students.