Years ago, illiteracy was common so communicating visually was quite important.
You could put the word "tavern" on your sign, but would anyone know they could drink ale there?
That's why tavern signs consisted of visual cues to let folks know where they could enjoy a pint or two.
The Newtown Historical Society presents "Tavern Signs: Art and Advertising in Early America."
Time & Date: 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9
Location: C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St., Newtown
From the C.H. Booth Library website:
"Richard Mallet will lecture on the Connecticut Historical Society's collection of tavern signs, one of the largest in the country. In an age when illiteracy was still common, a simple image would serve to announce the wares within a building. These images were often done by an itinerant or local folk artist, and are colorful and creative."
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