Historic Bethabara Park

“With a Congressman from Georgia there was an opportunity to talk about our mission to the Negroes in the West Indies, and to tell him that in our experience the Negroes who accepted the Gospel served their masters more faithfully than formerly" - Salem Diary, August 31, 1802

Enslavement in Bethabara was never as straightforward as more traditional. 

Enslaved Individuals and Alcohol

I owe the completion of this project to Diana Overbey, Jacob Crews, and the staff at Historic Bethabara who helped guide me in the right direction with this project. In addition, I want to thank Dr. Torren Gatson and the UNCG Department of History. 

"The tavern in Bethabara is at present in fair condition, though poorly built. When trade moves to Salem it will have much patronage, and must either be given up, or bring in little or nothing." - Marshall reports, 1770, from "Records of the Moravians in North Carolina, Volume 2. 

Stories From the Tavern

"Yesterday we arrived in Carolina. On the entire journey from Bethlehem the Lord has kept us in good health, and has guided us with His eye." - Bishop Spangenberg, September 10, 1752 

Introduction to the Moravians and Bethabara 

This timeline focuses on significant events regarding the Moravians in North America and Bethabara. There is a particular focus on how alcohol was ever-present in Bethabara's economy, trade, and the diets of Bretheren. 

Timeline of Moravians and Alcohol in and Beyond Bethabara

"Plant and root put into beer and cooked a little make a drink which is good for pain in the limbs" - Record of the Moravians, Volume II, p. 570. 

Alcohol, Trade, and The Lifeblood of Bethabara

There are hundreds of different kinds of beers one might come across, and it can be understandably overwhelming.

Beer is a blanket term for various styles from all across the globe. Indiana Pale Ale (IPA), Hefeweizen (German Wheat Beer), Stouts, Lagers, and Pilsners, are all beers as they are undistilled alcoholic drinks with fermentation and added hops and malt. All these examples are beer, however, not all are the same 

 of beer. Styles are determined by the fermentation process, types and amounts of malts/hops used, temperature, and additional ingredients added. 

This section is meant to be a short guide to just a few different styles (Ales, Porters, Lagers, etc.), what their ingredients tend to be, and 

Beers O'Plenty! 

This digital exhibit overviews the history of alcohol at Bethabara. From health to trade, alcohol was a lifeblood for the Moravians living in Bethabara, yet it remains somewhat of a hidden history. This online resource is broken up into several sections detailing the background of the Moravians, alcohol production in Bethabara, enslaved narratives related to alcohol, and stories from the tavern. All of these sections culminate into a comprehensive 

narrative of how alcohol was a key component to the daily operation of Moravian life, even if not always immediately present. 

                                                             Thank you so much for taking the time to look through this exhibit! 

Resource Kits

Object Library

Museums

The History of Alcohol at Bethabara

Enslaved Individuals and Alcohol

Guiding Question