Bedford Museum & Genealogical Library

Presentation & Book Signing with Philip Gibbs
2026-05-09 13:00 - 15:00 UTC | Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library, 201 E. Main Street, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
Presentation & Book Signing with Philip Gibbs - Author of
Sex, Liquor and Lawlessness in Early Roanoke

Join us at the Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library on May 9th from 1:00 to 3:00pm! Mr. Gibbs will be speaking about his book, followed by a book signing where attendees can purchase their own copy. Click here to purchase admission tickets. Priced at $10

About the Book

During the 1880s, the new city of Roanoke attracted a large and diverse workforce and a multitude of merchants and investors. But like the western cow towns and mining camps of the same period, the city also attracted prostitutes, professional gamblers, charlatans, and common thieves. By the early 1900s, Roanoke had become well known for its brothels, saloons, gambling halls, and rampant lawlessness. Despite a campaign to clean up the city, it was unable to shake its unsavory image. This was particularly true after Virginia went dry in 1916. With easy access to the moonshine whiskey that had long been produced in the surrounding mountains, bootleg kingpins boldly transported illegal liquor into the city and used violence to protect their operations. Author Phillip Andrew Gibbs explores Roanoke’s early criminal underworld and how civic leaders and law enforcement struggled to free the city from its wild, wicked, and unrepentant reputation.

Book Signing Schedule

Time

Date: May 9th, 2026Time: 1:00pm to 3:00pm

Venue

ADDRESS: Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library Third Floor201 E. Main Street, Bedford, VA 24523 United States +

Questions? Inquiries?Contact us for more information.

Contact Number: 540-586-4520Email Address: bccm-info@bedfordvamuseum.org
