Browse Items (30 total)

"Come Home Father"

Illustration from T. S. Arthur's 1854 temperance novel, "Ten Nights in a Bar-Room," which was subsequently adapted into a bestselling play.

Tags: children, drama, illustration, novel, play, T. S. Arthur, temperance, ten nights in a bar-room, theater

"Signing the Pledge" tableau diagram

In his popular parlor guide The Sociable, George Arnold included a three-part series of temperance tableaux that contrasts the impact of alcoholism on…

Tags: drama, George Arnold, nineteenth century, parlor drama, parlor guide, tableaux, temperance, the sociable, theater

Lost Museum Archive, "The Drunkard"

A recreation of a poster for "The Drunkard" at Barnum's American Museum.

Tags: barnum, Barnum's american museum, drama, museum, nineteenth century, P. T. Barnum, play, temperance, the drunkard, theater

Lost Museum Archive, Abstinence Pledge

A recreation of the temperance pledge that may have been given to audience members at Barnum's American Museum.

Tags: barnum, Barnum's american museum, drama, nineteenth century, P. T. Barnum, temperance, temperance pledge, theater

Advertisement for Elocution Schools

Enclosed in all of the medal contest reciters were advertisements for elocution schools in the Chicago area. The Columbia College of Expression and…

Tags: chicago, Columbia college, drama, elocution, Illinois, Mary blood, oratory, public speaking, temperance, theater, woman's christian temperance union

Helen S. Elliott, Born to Lead: A Puppet Play, The Signal Press, ca. 1950

The mid-twentieth century witnessed the novel idea of enacting the legend of Frances Willard with puppets. “Puppetry has become so universally popular…

Tags: children, drama, Frances Willard, play, puppet, temperance, theater, twentieth century, WCTU, woman's christian temperance union

Adelia E. Carman, Contest Booklets

WCTU oratorical contest booklets were compiled by Adelia Carman, the National WCTU Superintendent of Medal Contests. They were printed at the WCTU’s…

Tags: chicago, contest, elocution, Illinois, oratory, public speaking, temperance, WCTU, woman's christian temperance union, women's history

Benjamin Ward Richardson, Dialogues on Drink, National Temperance Society and Publication House, 1882

Benjamin Ward Richardson was a British physician who advocated total abstinence from alcohol. He was also a prolific writer of biographies, plays,…

Tags: Benjamin ward richardson, Britain, dialogues, elocution, Frances Willard, medicine, nineteenth century, scientific temperance, scotland, temperance, WCTU, woman's christian temperance union

Elocution Lessons By Mail

Enclosed in all of the medal contest reciters were advertisements for correspondence courses in elocution taught by women from small towns in…

Tags: advertisement, correspondence course, elocution, Illinois, nineteenth century, oratory, temperance, twentieth century, WCTU, woman's christian temperance union, women's history

George Melville Baker

George Melville Baker (1832-1890) was a playwright and publisher based in Boston. He first worked for Lee & Shepard publishers before establishing his…

Tags: Boston, drama, George baker, George melville baker, nineteenth century, parlor drama, parlor guide, playwright, publishing, temperance, theater