Evening will include many fun surprises
Published in the May 27-June 9, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Staff Report
The inaugural Prohibition Party will be held June 20 at the Villa Mira Monte site operated by the historical society.
Photo courtesy the Morgan Hill Historical Society
The Morgan Hill House will turn into a “speakeasy” at a special evening Prohibition Party June 20 where the Jazz Age will come to life for guests who are encouraged to come in period costume or as characters from that historic time.
The event is hosted by the Morgan Hill Historical Society which operates the Villa Mira Monte grounds where the historic Morgan Hill House is located.
The idea came about during a brainstorming session to find creative and fun ways to bring the community to the house — which was built in 1886 — and raise funds to continue its maintenance, said Nancy Reynolds, the historical society’s publicity chair.
“Since the Hiram Morgan Hill House is more than 100 years old, a themed party from a bygone era came to mind first,” she said. “I liked the idea of a little something naughty to possibly entice the curiosity of those who aren’t already familiar with historical society and Villa Mira Monte.”
The evening will have many fun surprises that Reynolds could not divulge “as we don’t want to risk being discovered by the police” running an illegal speakeasy, she said jokingly.
“I can share that guests will receive a secret password about a week before the party and their names will be on a VIP list at the ‘secret’ entrance,” she said. “We will not have a bar since it’s Prohibition, but we will have a ‘blind pig’ that guests can buy a ticket to view and maybe, just maybe, they will receive a gratuitous Prohibition era cocktail after their viewing.”
Chinese and Italian cuisine will be served at the party as they were considered “exotic and quite the rage” during the Roaring 1920s, she said. The band The Zinfandel Stompers will play jazz from the period and guests will have an opportunity to learn how to do the Charleston, the popular dance.
Reynolds encourages guests to attend in costume such as attire based on or influenced by the era.
“Of course, full-fledged gangster and flapper girl are most recognized, but there are some pretty easy basics that can just be added to modern clothing,” she said. “Vest, bow tie, suspenders and cap for men really pick up the Prohibition era feel. For women, cloche-style hats, turban-style head bands with feathers, gloves, pearls and almost anything with black fringe sets a nice tone for the Jazz Age.”
