WESTPORT–Ever wonder what life in America was like at the time of the Revolutionary War?

The Westport Museum for History & Culture aims to give residents a view into that world – specifically the world of 18th-century taverns – through Ale to the Chief, a fundraiser that will take place from 6 to 8 p.m., Nov. 13 at the 25 Avery Place museum.

The fundraiser comes at a time when the museum, which doesn’t receive funding from the town, is trying to raise $750,000 by January. In an announcement this week, the museum said it was at risk of having to sell the 230-year-old Bradley Wheeler House that houses the museum if that amount can’t be raised.

The museum said it’s already implemented cost-cutting measures that include reducing hours it’s open to the public and reducing staff, but its annual expenses still total $400,000, including $150,000 to maintain and operate the property.

In addition to selling its property if the museum can’t raise $750,000 by January, the non-profit’s board of directors and volunteer advisors also would consider:

• Retaining its historic seven-sided ‘Cobblestone Barn’ at Avery Place for limited museum use;
• Relocating Westport collections and archives to a lower-cost off-site location;
• Transitioning to a smaller research-focused organization that provides online access, research services and limited public programming.

Meanwhile, Ale to the Chief on Nov. 13 will feature colonial dances taught by an instructor; live colonial music; 18th-century tavern games; hors d’oeuvres enjoyed by George Washington; exclusive tastings of Washington’s whiskey, which was made in a reconstructed distillery at Mount Vernon, Va. using 18th-century methods; and George Washington’s Tavern Porter, brewed from Washington’s hand-written recipe and otherwise available only at Mount Vernon, according to a press release from the museum.

The evening will also feature stories of Westport’s role in the Revolutionary War, according to the museum’s website.

“Forget the history lecture – this is history you can taste, hear, play and dance your way through,” the press release says.

The museum’s “Cobblestone Barn” and its The Real Revolution exhibition will provide the backdrop for Ale to the Chief, which will transform the museum “into a spirited colonial tavern for the night,” the press release says.

The Real Revolution exhibition, according to the museum’s website, “looks beyond the familiar Founding Fathers to explore the many people whose lives, choices, struggles, and contributions shaped the American Revolution.

“What did people eat and drink? Where did they gather? What did they talk about? And how did the tavern become one of the places where revolutionary ideas – and revolutionary action – took hold?

“Come for the history. Stay for the stout, whisky, and tavern food.”

Tickets for Ale to the Chief are $75 each and attendees must be at least 21 years old.

Proceeds will directly benefit Westport Museum for History & Culture’s exhibitions, educational programming, and initiatives to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, according to the press release.

For tickets and information, visit https://westporthistory.org/