Browse Items (18 total)

J. N. Stearns, The Temperance Speaker, National Temperance Society and Publication House, 1876

The Temperance Speaker represents an American-produced contribution to the vast offerings of juvenile temperance “reciters.” It was published by the…

Tags: children, children's literature, dialogue, elocution, lecture, literature, lyceum, national temperance society, nineteenth century, oratory, poetry, public speaking, recitation, story, temperance, WCTU, woman's christian temperance union, women's history

William Darrah, The Onward Reciter, 1872

The Onward Reciter is a product of the Band of Hope movement in Northern England, specifically Lancashire and Cheshire. Most of the selections were…

Tags: band of hope, Britain, children, children's literature, elocution, England, lecture, lyceum, nineteenth century, oratory, poetry, recitation, story, temperance, youth group

Lost and Saved

With words by poet and songwriter Eben Rexford and music by singer, teacher, and composer T. Martin Towne, Lost and Saved was quite elaborate,…

Tags: cantata, chicago, drama, Illinois, musical, nineteenth century, parlor drama, temperance, theater

George Melville Baker, The Temperance Drama

George Melville Baker’s collection features eight original temperance dramas that were also published separately “for the convenience of performers.”…

Tags: blackface, drama, farce, George baker, George melville baker, nineteenth century, parlor drama, parlor guide, temperance, theater

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

"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, 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

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