Sons of Temperance Hall, Simcoe & John Streets, Oshawa From the Oshawa Archives Collection

In 1916, against the background of social change and a world war, the Province of Ontario introduced prohibition, making the selling and consumption of alcohol illegal.  Groups like Oshawa’s Sons of Temperance fought hard for this act, believing, “There is no vice which swallows up so much of hope and happiness as Intemperance. It destroys the tenderest ties of social life, and exiles the sweet endearments of home.”

Join the Oshawa Historical Society on Tuesday, September 20 when we welcome The Robert McLaughlin Gallery (RMG) Assistant Curator Alessandra Cirelli and Oshawa Museum Curator Melissa Cole, and together, they will share the history of Temperance and how Oshawa reacted to prohibition.

September’s Speaker Series is presented in partnership with The RMG, in conjunction with their current exhibition, Last Call: Temperance and Prohibition in Oshawa: Selections from the Thomas Bouckley Collection.  The exhibition is on display at The RMG until January 4, 2016.

The Oshawa Historical Society’s May Speaker Series is taking place Tuesday September 20 at 7PM. The Speaker Series will be held at the McLaughlin Branch of the Oshawa Public Library, located at 65 Bagot Street, Oshawa. Admission to the Oshawa Historical Society Speaker Series is $3 or FREE for members of the Oshawa Historical Society or members of The RMG.