Upcoming Events
Virtual discussion
Ask a Distiller
When: February 2nd, 6:00-7:00 pm
Where: Zoom/Virtual
SPIRITS Museum is thrilled to present the virtual discussion: Ask a Distiller! Join us for an evening of Q&A with distillation experts based in Virginia, where curiosity meets tradition—and courage and craft drive every decision. Go behind the scenes to explore the technical know-how of distillation, discover how equipment and ingredients shape every sip, and gain insider insights you won’t find on the label.
Speakers
Barry Haneberg, Virago Spirits – Founder & Distiller
Brad Haneberg, Virago Spirits – Founder & Distiller
Amanda Beckwith, Virginia Distillery – Director, Liquid Development
Sam Bolt, Virginia Distillery – Trade Development Specialist
Past Events
LECTURE + WHISKEY TASTING
Colonial Whiskey at The Mill
When: 2:00 – 4:00 pm, October 18th, 2025
Where: Burwell Morgan Mill, 15 Tannery Lane, Millwood, VA 22646
SPIRITS Museum joins forces with Clarke County Historical Association for an afternoon combining history and whiskey at the historic 18th century Burwell Morgan Mill.
Two Revolutionaries were behind the creation of the Burwell Morgan Mill: Lieutenant Colonel Nathanial Burwell and General Daniel Morgan. Burwell was an enterprising planter-distiller deeply involved in commerce of the day, opening his own distillery in Frederick County and contributing to the growing whiskey trade. Morgan, on the other hand, was a true military man, who was sent to quell the Whiskey Rebellion in Pennsylvania sparked by post-war taxes shortly after the Revolution. Join our curator Clanci Jo Conover as they discuss whiskey’s impact on the lives of these revolutionaries, how it became America’s favorite spirit, and learn just what happened during the Whiskey Rebellion. We will be sampling two of Eight Shires Colonial Distillery’s recipes, crafted with heritage ingredients using the same methods as our colonial forefathers. There will be tastings of two different whiskeys: Charles River Shire, a single malt aged in charred barrels, and Warrosquyoake Shire, a straight bourbon made with heritage Indian Maize corn, Red Winter Wheat, and Malted Barley.
SITE TOUR
Virginia Tavern Culture Walking Tour
When: 9:00-12:00, Friday, June 13th, 2025
Where: Colonial Williamsburg, Gunsmith, 505 Francis St. E, Williamsburg, VA
SPIRITS Museum presents the Virginia Tavern Culture Walking Tour, hosted in collaboration with Colonial Williamsburg.
We will kick off the tour at the Visitors Center with our historic interpreter, who will lead us through the space and share insight on what life was like in the colonial period. Stops will be made at Raleigh Tavern, Silversmith, and more. We will also view the exteriors of different tavern reconstructions, discussing the prevalence of women tavern owners in Williamsburg and throughout the colonies.
Space is limited and tickets are available on a first come, first served basis.
Conference presentation
SPIRITS Curator Presents at New York History Conference
When: June 5th, 2025
Where: New York History Conference, Cultural Education Center, Albany, NY
What: Dr. Santomee Pieters, America’s First Black Physician – Lightning Round Presentation
SPIRITS Museum curator Clanci Jo Conover will present research on Dr. Lucas Santomee Pieters of New Amsterdam, America’s first Black physician, at the New York History Conference. The talk will take place in a lightning round session.
Virtual Lecture
Rum: Gold of The West Indies
When: Wednesday, May 28th, 6:00-7:00 pm (ET)
Where: Zoom Online
Guest Speakers:
– Dr. Jordan Smith, Associate Professor of History at Widener University, and author of the forthcoming book The Invention of Rum: Creating The Quintessential Atlantic Commodity
– Clanci Jo Conover, SPIRITS Museum Curator
This talk is organized in advance of SPIRITS’ next virtual exhibition Rum in the Colonies: The First Hundred Years, which will launch on our website June 23rd. Programming and related exhibition made possible through funding from the Virginia Spirits Board.
Virtual Lecture
Tavern Talk: Life in the Colonial Virginia Tavern
When: Thursday, April 3rd, 2025, 5:45-6:45 (ET)
Where: Zoom Online
Guest Speakers:
– Dr. Vaughan Scribner, Associate Professor of British American History, University of Central Arkansas, and author of Inn Civility: Urban Taverns and Early American Civil Society
– Erin Barbour-Scala, Sommelier, Writer, Owner of Market Street Wine, Beverage Director at Fleurie Restaurant (Charlottesville, VA)
SPIRITS Museum presents Tavern Talk, a discussion examining the contradictions, customs, and cordials commonplace in 18th century Virginia taverns, and how they compare to other states. The conversation will be moderated by museum curator Clanci Jo Conover, who organized the exhibition White Men Only: Taverns, Discrimination, and The Proprietress in Colonial Virginia.
Lecture + Luncheon
Dr. Bill Dodson Presents A Colonial Spirits History for the Sons of the American Revolution
When: Saturday, February 15th, 11:30-1:30 (ET)
Where: Ford’s Colony Country Club, 240 Fords Colony Drive, Williamsburg, VA 23188
What: Our founder Dr. Bill Dodson will be giving a presentation on the history of colonial spirits to the Williamsburg Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution at their monthly Luncheon.
Cost: $25.00 for the luncheon; Reservations required in advance for members and their guests. Contact the Treasurer Bill Dorn to reserve your lunch – wrdorn48@gmail.com. For non-members, please contact Vice President Ronald Adolphi at ronald.adolphi@cox.net to inquire about attending.
Christmas Party
Christmas Party & Holiday Market
When: Tuesday, December 17th, 5:00 – 7:00 pm (ET)
Where: Eight Shires Coloniale Distillery, 7218 Merrimac Trail, Williamsburg, VA 23185
What: SPIRITS Museum invites you to our Christmas party at 8 Shires Coloniale Distillery! The event will include a raffle for a bottle of 8 Shires colonial-inspired rum, tours of the SPIRITS collection with the curator, and a holiday market. 8 Shires will also be creating a custom cocktail and donating a percentage of sales for this drink to the museum.
Guests will be able to sign up for tours with the curator that will continue throughout the event. Tours will commence at 5:15, 5:45, 6:15, and 6:45. The raffle winner will be chosen at 6:30.
Local Vendors:
K&C’s Crystals & Creations ~ Crystals and small handmade items
CJ’s Commodities ~ Handmade jewelry, original photo prints, vintage books, small paintings
Tutus & Tide ~ Ornaments, trinket dishes, and decorative pieces, all made from locally sourced oyster shells
Virtual Lecture
James River Ghosts: Spirits & Settlers
Date: Wednesday, October 30th, 5:45 – 6:30 pm (ET)
Platform: Zoom – Email info@spiritsmuseum.org to RSVP
Speakers:
Brendan Burke, underwater archaeologist for Virginia Department of Historic Resources
Clanci Jo Conover, SPIRITS Museum Curator
Join SPIRITS Museum Wednesday, October 30th, for the virtual lecture James River Ghosts: Spirits & Settlers! The speakers will discuss our current virtual exhibition America’s First Distillers and The James River. We will explore how archaeology has given us insight into colonial life along the James, taking a special look at the lives lost in creating these riverside settlements where America’s First Distillers practiced. A recording of the presentation is available through the link below.
Berkeley Plantation: Home of Early American Distillers
Date: Friday, September 27th, 2:30 – 5:00 pm (ET)
Location: Berkeley Plantation, 12602 Harrison Landing, Charles City, VA 23030
Our very first walking tour led by curator Clanci Jo Conover will explore the historic site of Berkeley Plantation. Virginia colonist and land owner at Berkeley George Thorpe recorded the first distillation of American corn whiskey in the 1620s, establishing Virginia as the birthplace of the American spirits industry.
This event is funded by a grant the museum received from the Virginia Spirits Board to provide complimentary admission. Admission is on an invite-only basis, but feel free to contact info@spiritsmuseum.org for more information.
VIRTUAL LECTURE
Perfume: A Distilled Remedy For An Unwashed People
Date: Monday, December 11th, 2023, 4:30-5:00 pm (ET)
Platform: Zoom – RSVP to info@spiritsmuseum.org to receive meeting link
Join SPIRITS Museum Monday, December 11th, for our inaugural virtual lecture Perfume: A Distilled Remedy For An Unwashed People. Our museum curator, Clanci Jo Conover, will discuss our current virtual exhibition Distilling Scent: Perfume and The Culture of Olfaction in Early America, giving insight into the colonial perfume industry and its presence in the U.S. The exhibition also looks at how European settlers and indigenous communities understood scent, whether fragrant or acrid, as it differs from our cultural perception of the sense today. The presentation will include a brief introduction and background on SPIRITS Museum, which was launched by SPIRITS Foundation earlier this year. RSVP to receive the meeting link by emailing info@spiritsmuseum.org.
Fundraiser
Pig Pickin' With Live Music
Date: Saturday, October 21st, 2023, 2:00-5:00 pm (ET)
Location: Eight Shires Coloniale Distillery, 7218 Merrimac Trail, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Admission: $30 for adults, $10 for kids under 12; tickets sold on-site and are first come, first serve
Come out and enjoy some great food at the SPIRITS Museum Pig Pickin’! We work with our partner 8 Shires Coloniale Distillery to share our research so they can produce colonially-inspired spirits, and they provide us with a dedicated space to display our museum collection. Join us for an afternoon of food, drinks and music! Admission includes a plate of food and two acoustic sets by Richmond-based artist Tyler Meacham. Drinks will be available for purchase from 8 Shires. For questions or more information, contact info@spiritsmuseum.org/
