Washingtonians
Hears The Voice
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Unshackled
Posts: 7,901
Washingtonians
I was doing some reading today and came across a wikipedia article on the Washingtonians. Apparently they were a secular sobriety group founded in Baltimore in 1840.
I had not previously heard of this group. I like a bit of history. Anyone have any additional information on them?
The idea was that by relying on each other, sharing their alcoholic experiences and creating an atmosphere of conviviality, they could keep each other sober. Total abstinence from alcohol was their goal. The group taught sobriety and preceded Alcoholics Anonymous by almost a century. Members sought out other "drunkards" (the term alcoholic had not yet been created), told them their experiences with alcohol abuse and how the Society had helped them achieve sobriety.
Not The Way way, Just the way
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: US
Posts: 1,413
Originally Posted by Nonsensical 
I was doing some reading today and came across a wikipedia article on the Washingtonians. Apparently they were a secular sobriety group founded in Baltimore in 1840.
I had not previously heard of this group. I like a bit of history. Anyone have any additional information on them?
I had not previously heard of this group. I like a bit of history. Anyone have any additional information on them?
GT
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 94
The first episode of the PBS documentary series on prohibition discusses the rise and fall of the Washingtonians. I think it is available on Netflix, and is definitely available on ITunes. It is a good series generally, but I particularly liked the first episode: "a nation of drunkards"
~sb
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MD
Posts: 15,964
Bill W. knew of them. They were a group of men who gathered at a local pub in Baltimore, MD and who decided to get sober. They are a part of AA history as they were able to prove that one alcoholic helping another alcoholic works quite well. They met weekly at the pub....without drinking, most likely after hours...not sure
They are also part of the history of how the 12 Traditions in AA came about as they tried to do all kinds of things to promote themselves....they fell apart because of the lack of agreement
They are also part of the history of how the 12 Traditions in AA came about as they tried to do all kinds of things to promote themselves....they fell apart because of the lack of agreement
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
