History Happy Hour

On Thursday, April 20th, the Phelps Mansion Museum will hold the next History Happy Hour program at 191 Court Street in Binghamton.

The museum will feature The Wonders of the Progressive Era. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and guests will be able to tour the museum’s current exhibit featuring the Progressive Era while also enjoying some excellent brews from Water Street Brewing Co. At about 6:30 p.m., Chelsea Gibson will guide guests through a discussion about what made the Progressive Era so important. Gibson is a graduate student at Binghamton University who has researched the time period from 1893 up to 1915; the period we now refer to as the Progressive Era.

DESCRIPTION

The Progressive Era was born, in part, due to the excesses and corruption of the Gilded Age. While a few individuals and corporations amassed great wealth during the Gilded Age, far more individuals found themselves struggling to survive. Farms were failing and prices were rising much faster than income. People needed help and, at that time, there were no government programs in place to provide help.

During the Progressive Era, a number of changes were brought into being, or at least the seeds were sewn. Organizations were being established to help people cope with problems of alcoholism, poverty, hunger, women’s suffrage, housing, lack of literacy, and health damaging pollution. It was a time of massive change in our social services, but also in the overall economic structure of the country. Join the folks at the Phelps Mansion Museum and Water Street Brewery for this fun and enlightening discussion. Following her presentation, guests are encouraged to ask questions and continue to enjoy refreshments from Water Street Brewing Co.

ADMISSION

Reservations are suggested for the History Happy Hour as space is limited.  To reserve your spot, call the mansion at (607) 722-4873. The doors will open at 5:15 p.m. Admission is $10 for museum members and $15 for non-members for those who purchase/reserve their tickets early. Guests who choose not to pre-register can still attend (space permitting). The at-the-door fee is $13 for members, and $18 for non-members. Guests will receive two drink coupons that can be turned in for a selection of beer and wine from Water Street Brewing Co. Snacks will also be available.

The Phelps Mansion Museum is located at 191 Court Street (next to the library).  The museum offers a wide array of historical and arts-related programming throughout the year.  The museum is a member supported non-profit educational institution that aims to help visitors better understand the importance of the Gilded Age (1870-1893) in the growth of the Southern Tier and beyond.  Individuals who are not able to attend the Happy Hour but who would like to help support the efforts of the museum are encouraged to visit PhelpsMansion.org to learn more about how you can help keep history alive.