Early American Pop Culture Research Paper

Daniel Byers

Prof. Scott Keys

History 111

23 November 2016

Taverns, Gaming and Almanacs in Early American Culture

American pop culture is defined as cultural activities or commercial products reflecting, suited to, or aimed at the tastes of the general masses of people (Dictionary.com, LLC 2016). It serves to bring a large diverse population of individuals together with a unified cultural identity. For most of us, pop culture is what we fill our leisure time with. It can include a variety of sources such as entertainment like music, literature, theatre, art and food. Pop culture can also include the products consumers buy in order to participate in current tastes and fashions. Pop culture grows when a substantial population,

Men from all walks of life gathered inside taverns to conduct business, gamble, share a newspaper, peruse the latest broadside or pamphlet, and discuss politics or the latest news and gossip, over hearty food and a bottle of wine, pint of stout, a tankard of ale or a bowl of punch. They served as the first town hall, inns, news centers, post office, trading posts, courtrooms, and general store. The local militia would also assemble there to join ranks with the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. (Dobbin House Inc., 2012; Dobbinhouse.com). Newspapers were delivered to taverns by postal carriers and the literate patrons read them aloud to their illiterate neighbors. (American Antiquarian Society 2010; Americanantiquarian.org). Tavern culture was complicated and chaotic. Drunkenness and debauchery were common as well as crime such as prostitution, yet these same places formed the foundation of public discussion and thought. For all the variety of functions urban colonial taverns served, the one constant in all of them was the presence of alcohol. Colonists of every sort, size, and age, including children, drank often and in quantity. The distilled liquors of the time, such as rum and rye whiskey, averaged 45% alcohol, or 90 proof. (Keating, Aaron Man Full of Trouble, 2013;

He was a tireless promoter of the game and created a manufacturing company which later merged with its chief competitor, J.M. Brunswick & Balke, to form the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company, which is today Brunswick Billiards, the largest American manufacturer. While the game has had its heroes since the early 1800's, it has had to wage a constant battle for respectability. Poolrooms were often the target of politicians and legislators eager to show an ability to purge immorality from the community. Even today, obtaining a billiard license can require compliance with out-dated regulations. (Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 2016;