McLhinney's Speakeasy Museum and International Market is open in Havre de Grace

Havre de Grace has another unique museum to entertain visitors and area residents, one showcasing the Prohibition era that is a rich part of the city and Harford County's history.McLhinney's Speakeasy Museum and International Market opens to the public Friday at 212 N. Washington St. It will be open noon to 7 p.m.The museum held a ribbon-cutting Thursday morning. Regular hours will be noon to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday.McLhinney's Speakeasy Museum and International Market will host the museum and sell local arts and crafts, resale items, imported gifts, soaps, historical photos and continue to gather information on the era.&quot;The long term goal is to secure a historical grant to remodel the Remax building next door, where an actual speakeasy once existed, along with another 15 that were said to be in the city during Prohibition,&quot; Annie McLhinney-Cochran said.Her grandfather, Walter, bought the building in 1910 and operated it as a newsstand, as did her father, Charles McLhinney Sr. Walter McLhinney was a popular mayor of Havre de Grace from 1951 to 1957 and from 1959 to 1961.&quot;We want to gather as much information on this lively era of Havre de Grace before it is lost forever and perhaps develop a brew pub on the second floor securing an outside business to operate the establishment. Both my father, grandfather and other family members have saved rooms of old newspapers and regional memorabilia that will be placed out for viewing as it is uncovered from the second floor of Remax and the attics of the family,&quot; McLhinney-Cochran explained in a statement.Included in the museum will be historical photos of many of the paperboys and girls of Havre de Grace.In addition to the museum and its shops, the owners will host weekly Sunday flea markets from 9 a.m. to noon and Speakeasy Tea Dances every Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. beginning this week (weather permitting) on the large grassy lawn behind the storefront.Tea Dances will include an hour of free salsa lessons by Christina Bollino, of BeachBee Yoga, and music by Smash Hits Radio 103.7 FM in Havre de Grace. Musical selections will shift from Motown, to salsa, to shagging, to contra and top dancing hits. Encouraging family fun on Sunday afternoons, the dance club will be free for children under 16, and seniors over 70, $5 for everyone else.McLhinney-Cochran said Wednesday she recently returned from California after spending 34 years there and she would always joke with her dad that she would start a speakeasy museum if no one else did.&quot;I just decided it would be fun. I am going through all the historical things,&quot; she said, noting the Prohibition era &quot;really fascinates me&quot; because she always heard stories about it growing up.The city's horse race track flourished in the 1920s and 30s and attracted movie stars, noted sportsmen and gangsters. McLhinney's News Depot was a popular hangout of the era, as horseplayers waited for the early edition of the racing form to arrive.McLhinney-Cochran added that the dancing is a big part was a big part of that era and she &quot;really wanted it to be a family atmosphere&quot; because there are not many places in Havre de Grace to dance.The dancing area will include a tent for shade and she expects Sunday evenings to be &quot;really fun.&quot;For more information, visit McLhinney's Speakeasy Museum MD on Facebook, or www.SpeakeasyMuseumMD.com or call 760-200-6215.

McLhinney's Speakeasy Museum and International Market is open in Havre de Grace

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