Flask 1870 - 1876

This light blue glass flask was made by William Frank and Sons sometime between 1870 and 1876. More than just a container, it reflects the temperance movement and the cultural anxieties around alcohol consumption in 19th century America. The word "UNION" is embossed on the glass, an indication of the fraught political climate following the Civil War. The flask visually promotes national unity, a common theme in popular imagery of the period. The presence of this flask in a museum collection speaks to the changing role of institutions in shaping our understanding of the past. To fully understand the flask's cultural significance, we might consult historical archives, temperance movement publications, and studies of American material culture. By examining such resources, we gain insight into the complex interplay of social norms, economic forces, and the everyday objects that reflect and shape our world.