During Prohibition, rumrunning was big business on Cape Cod. Fishermen and farmers headed offshore under cover of darkness to “Rum Row,” returning with contraband alcohol while risking heavy fines, jail time, and dangerous encounters with law enforcement, hijackers, and gangsters. From Provincetown’s Manny Zora to Eastham’s Bud Cummings, and the mysterious disappearance of Sandwich’s Eugene Haines, these stories range from thrilling to humorous. Even Boston Mayor James Curley is said to have escaped out a window during a police raid at Yarmouth’s Casa Madrid.
Local author Don Wilding brings this unforgettable era to life, uncovering tales of crime, controversy, and coastal ingenuity from Cape Cod’s Prohibition years.
About the Speaker:
Don Wilding has spent decades sharing stories of Cape Cod’s Outer Beach through lectures, video, and the written word. In addition to Prohibition on Cape Cod: Running the Rum In, he is the author of Historic Storms of Cape Cod, Cape Cod and the Portland Gale of 1898, Shipwrecks of Cape Cod: Stories of Triumph & Tragedy, A Brief History of Eastham, and Henry Beston’s Cape Cod.
An award-winning newspaper editor, writer, and designer for over thirty-six years, Don is also a Cape tour guide and frequent speaker on regional history across New England. He has led history walks for the Harwich Conservation Trust—earning recognition as a 2023 “Conservationist of the Year”—and taught Cape Cod history courses for Open University of Wellfleet and Nauset Community Education. Don lives in South Dennis with his wife, Nita.
Part of our History on Tap series—join us for an evening of local history, conversation, and craft brews.
Admission: $10 per person / $5 for members
Must be 21+ to sample beer; IDs will be checked at the door.
Enjoy craft beer from our sponsor, Cape Cod Beer, along with cheese, crackers, water, and non-alcoholic beer options.
We highly recommend reserving your tickets on our website in advance. Popular events often sell out quickly, and we cannot always accommodate walk-ins. Don’t miss out—plan and secure your spot!
Please Note: History on Tap features a different speaker every two weeks. Be sure to double-check the date before booking your ticket to ensure you’re registering for the lecture you want. If you have any issues, call 508-815-4149 to book directly.
