THE MOB MUSEUM LAUNCHES “PROHIBITION: AN INTERACTIVE HISTORY,” A
DIGITAL EXHIBIT DEDICATED TO THE WIDE-REACHING IMPACT OF THIS
FASCINATING AMERICAN ERA
Launch Coincides with Anniversary of Prohibition’s Repeal
The Mob Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, has unveiled “Prohibition: An Interactive History,” a robust and captivating digital exhibit. The content, developed by Museum staff, aims to enhance the experience of touring the Museum. Providing an educational and enjoyable ride through Prohibition’s many facets, the digital exhibit reveals surprising insights into one of the most interesting and misunderstood periods in American history through photographs, text, videos and a variety of interactive elements including a Prohibition-themed game.
“Prohibition: An Interactive History” encompasses sections addressing eight different aspects of the era, including:
- The Road to Prohibition – The turbulent history of alcohol’s impact on America from the 17th century onward gave rise to the powerful—and largely women-driven—Temperance Movement.
- The Prohibition Underworld – Prohibition’s worst-kept secret, the speakeasy, proliferated and Mob operatives clamored to cash in on the liquor racket.
- The Rise of Organized Crime – Prohibition’s bootlegging profits transformed the Mob and gave rise to rumrunners.
- Enforcing the Prohibition Laws – Too few law enforcement agents meant it was impossible to thoroughly enforce Prohibition, but key Supreme Court rulings emboldened the IRS to take down mobsters for not paying taxes on their bootlegging earnings.
- How Prohibition Changed American Culture – Everything from the advancement of women’s rights to cocktail culture to music and movies owes a debt to the Prohibition years.
- Prohibition Potpourri – An intriguing collection of Prohibition insights includes NASCAR’s origins during the era, fun facts and anecdotes as well as the distinctive slang terms that evolved and are still used today.
- Prohibition in Las Vegas – Before it became America’s playground and the Entertainment Capital of the World, Las Vegas was proud of its record of Prohibition enforcement.
- The End of Prohibition – A confluence of factors—from lack of enforcement to economic woes of the Great Depression—resulted in the repeal of Prohibition in late 1933. Its legacy persists today in the assortment of archaic and unusual liquor laws that vary from state to state.
Finally, an additional section challenges users to “Get the Booze to the Stash House” with a bootlegging-themed game, test their knowledge with eye-opening Prohibition-related trivia and provides a map detailing current state-by-state liquor laws.
“A top priority of the Museum is to be a premier source of information for those interested in organized crime and law enforcement, subject matter, regardless as to their location,” explains Ashley Miller, director of marketing and public relations, The Mob Museum. “We envisioned this particular exhibit to connect with our visitors as well as scholars, history buffs, crime story enthusiasts and anyone else interested in learning more about Prohibition—whether they can actually visit the Museum in person or not. Of course, the Museum already addresses Prohibition onsite in a variety of ways, highlighted by its signature artifact, the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Wall.”
Another digital exhibit, launched earlier this year, delves into all facets of this infamous wall where the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre took place on February 14, 1929. Divided into 13 distinctive sections, StValentineMassacre.com is designed to bring the history of one of the Museum’s most significant artifacts—the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Wall—to life for anyone with access to the internet. It incorporates photographs and text addressing the event from numerous angles, including the bitter rivalry between bootlegging Mob bosses, Bugs Moran and Al Capone; the public outcry that followed the Massacre; the various characters who played a role in the crime; and the ballistics evidence used in the investigation.
The Museum’s digital exhibits are available to the public for free. Development continues on additional digital content to be announced in 2017. For more information about The Mob Museum, call (702) 229-2734 or visit themobmuseum.org.
ABOUT THE MOB MUSEUM
The Mob Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, provides a world-class, interactive journey through true stories—from the birth of the Mob to today’s headlines. The Mob Museum offers a provocative, contemporary look at these topics through more than 1,000 artifacts and immersive storylines. Whether you like it or not, this is American history. Since opening in 2012, The Mob Museum has accumulated numerous accolades, including being named one of TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 U.S. Museums,” USA Today’s “12 Can’t Miss U.S. Museum Exhibits,” “A Must for Travelers” by The New York Times, one of “20 Places Every American Should See” by Fox News and Budget Travel magazine and “Best Museum” by the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Nevada Magazine. Admission is $23.95 for adults ages 18 and over with special pricing for online purchase, children, seniors, military, law enforcement, Nevada residents, and teachers. The Museum is open daily; visit the website for up-to-date operating hours. For more information, call (702) 229-2734 or visit themobmuseum.org. Connect on Facebook at facebook.com/themobmuseum.org or Twitter @themobmuseum.
