‘Spirited’ talk about the history of distilling in Augusta County

The traditional craft of distilling whiskey came from Ireland in the 1730s, with the earliest settlers in Augusta County. Making whiskey became a routine way to get grain and corn crops to market compactly and profitably. Before the Civil War there were sizable commercial distilleries in the area, with two of the best known near Middlebrook.

Local historians Katharine Brown and Nancy Sorrells will give an illustrated talk about their study of “Whiskey Making in the Valley” at the Augusta County Historical Society’s Spring Meeting Sunday (April 14) at 3 pm. The free talk is at First Presbyterian Church in Staunton, in the Sunday School building, corner of Frederick and New Streets.

The public is invited, free of charge.