In 1919, Congress ratified the 18th Amendment calling to ban the selling, manufacturing and transport of alcohol. The Amendment, as we now know, spurred what is now remembered as the tumultuous, controversial and often romanticized 13-year Prohibition era.

The Lyman Allyn Art Museum will present “Spirited: Prohibition in America” — a traveling exhibition from the National Endowment for the Humanities that explores America’s Prohibition period from its flappers and suffragists, bootleggers and temperance lobbyists, and its real-life legends (Al Capone and Carry Nation) to the complex issues that led America to adopt Prohibition in the first place.

An opening reception will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the museum, and the show will run through May 25. The reception is free for members, $10 for non-members. RSVP to (860) 443-2545, ext. 129. The Lyman Allyn is located at 625 Williams St., New London. Admission is $10 adults, $7 seniors and students (over 18), $5 students under 18, $7 active military personnel, and free for children under 12. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun., closed Mon.; (860) 443-2545, ext. 129, lymanallyn.org.