AIC's 47th Annual Meeting

The state of Mississippi outlawed the sale of alcohol in 1908. The night before this law was enacted the King Edward Hotel in Jackson purchased champagne. After the law was enacted, the champagne was placed in storage. The hotel changed ownership numerous times and Mississippi did not repeal Prohibition until 1966; The champagne bottle was forgotten. When the bottle was rediscovered, it was donated to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. During preparation for the opening of the Two Mississippi Museums, the bottle was pulled for display. Unfortunately, a large vinegar mother had grown inside. This vinegar mother was highly visible and distracting. Due to its importance in the history of Prohibition in Mississippi, it was decided that the bottle could not be opened and emptied. The vinegar mother had to dissolved. A vinegar mother is a combination of cellulose and bacteria which consume the sugar in the alcohol and release acetic acid. A combination of cellulase and an antibiotic worked to break down the vinegar mother, allowing the champagne bottle to represent the story of Prohibition instead of the production of vinegar.