Drinking Games at the Woodford Mansion

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Drinking Games at the Woodford Mansion

2012-05-02 10:54

Drinking alcohol in Colonial America was a popular past time with just about everyone. The Colonists thought alcohol could cure the sick, aid in digestion, and strengthen the weak. In England water was often polluted and caused illness, so the British replaced water with beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages. The Colonists took their cue from the British and avoided fresh water, even though they did not have a problem with polluted water. They didn’t need much of an incentive to partake in the libations. Whether starting the day with a pick-me-up or ending it with a night cap, the Colonists knew how to party.

To make the drinking even more fun they had their versions of drinking games. Two examples were puzzle jugs and fuddling cups. A puzzle jug is a trick jug which, if drunk from incorrectly, causes its contents to spill into your lap. You had to figure out a way to get the alcohol from the jug to your mouth without tipping the jug. I won’t give away how they work, just in case you happen to come across one someday. Another game was played with a “fuddling cup,” which was made of three or more cups joined together internally with holes and tubes. With many explanations online about how fuddling cups work, figuring out how to play the game is part of the puzzle.

This April we had the opportunity to see examples of both of these drinking games at the Woodford Mansion in Fairmount Park. One of the most beautifully-preserved Colonial homes in Philadelphia, the Woodford Mansion contains much more than just drinking games. If you ask nicely, they may even be willing to tell you the secret solutions...

You can find descriptions of the collections at Woodford Mansion on the PACSCL finding aid website.

Comments

Submitted by Befuddled Bay Stater (not verified) on

I saw my first puzzle mug many years ago while in the service. I hadn't thought about them much after that. I went to a Renaissance festival recently and they had a few there. I finally found some on eBay and bought a couple. In my search I ran across the term fuddling cups. I had never heard of them before and was intrigued. They seem similar to puzzle mugs, but probably have a different trick to drinking from them successfully. I have an idea of how you might drink from one of these, but won't ruin it for others reading this by including my ideas here. Do you know where I can find any of these for sale? I'd be interested in getting a couple different ones if they aren't too expensive. Thanks for your time.

Submitted by sleu@hsp.org on

Puzzle mugs and fuddling cups can certainly be tricky! I'm not sure where you could find any for sale. Perhaps continue to check eBay, as you have done in the past. Also, you could try looking in antique shops or novelty stores.

Thanks for your comment, and best of luck!

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