Virginia Mountain Whisky, 2026
Graphite on cotton paper
Dimensions: 20 in. x 15 in.
Framed Dimensions: 23.25 in. x 18.25 in.
All pieces are professionally framed with acid-free materials and UV-protective, anti-glare glass.
 
This piece features a pre-Prohibition whiskey called Virginia Mountain Whisky, produced by James Bumgardner. Bumgardner  built a home and distillery, called Bethel Green, in Augusta County, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. He produced many whiskies at this distillery and became quite successful and well-known in the liquor business in the early 1900s. As indicated by the label, this whiskey was produced for sale by R. L. Christian, a Richmond businessman who operated a high-end grocery and liquor store. When Virginia’s statewide prohibition took effect in October 1916, Christian moved the wine and liquor portion of his business to Water Street in Baltimore. An October 1916 article in the Evening Journal documents the move.
 
References:
"Evening Journal" 25, October 1916 sourced from the Library of Virginia
Jack Sullivan's Blog: "Those Pre-Pro Whiskey Men!: James Bumgardner MADE Virginia Whiskey"