The illegal smuggling activities of the early 20th century on Washington's shared border with British Columbia included such highly tariffed items as wool, cigarettes, and animal hides. This illegal trade went on for decades, but none was more widespread than rum running during the Prohibition years of 1920 to 1933. Tacoma and Seattle each had their charismatic rum running kingpins. Their illicit networks stretched from the limits of the Salish Sea down to the rugged West Coast and all the way to Mexico. Join us for tales of liquor pirates, international intrigue, mystery, and danger, with twists of historical irony and grim humor from historian Jesse Clark McAbee.  

Jesse Clark McAbee is a museum professor and historian with a bachelor's degree in history from Washington State University and a certificate in museum studies from the University of Washington.

Enjoy 15% off your hotel stay on History Pub nights! Show your ticket at check-in.

These events are open to everyone interested in Pacific Northwest history, and beyond! Often co-sponsored by local or state historical and civic organizations, we bring you experts, scholars, first-person experiencers, historians and documentaries expounding on topics from indigenous history to the birth of Portland, early explorers to hop growing, and on and on! It's like being back in the classroom - except this time you get to settle into comfortable seats and enjoy a drink or two with dinner while you listen and learn.

This event is eligible for a History Pub Stamp