The Business of Addiction: The Economic and Moral Complexities of the Opium Trade
FAIN: GE-278308-21
Forbes House (Milton, MA 02186-4215)
Barbara Warnick Silberman (Project Director: September 2020 to present)
Development of a temporary exhibition, including virtual elements, a teacher workshop, and public programing, examining the legacy of the eighteenth- and nineteenth-century opium trade.
This project is an exhibitions planning grant that will explore the history of the 19th c. opium trade and the involvement of the Forbes family. The purpose of the exhibit is to examine the moral complexities faced by the Forbes in light of today's social issues like inequality and racism and how they impact our relations with China today. The Captain Robert Bennet Forbes House Museum requests $40,000 to support this planning effort.
Associated Products
Authors' Talk on Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Family Dynasty and The Hard Sell: Crime and Punishment at an Opioid Startup (Public Lecture or Presentation)Title: Authors' Talk on Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Family Dynasty and The Hard Sell: Crime and Punishment at an Opioid Startup
Abstract: One of a series of programs offered in conjunction with the museum's upcoming exhibition, Opium: The Business of Addiction. Keefe and Hughes examine stories of greed, deception, excess and legal battles in the pharmaceutical industry. Keefe’s book follows the rise and fall of the Sacklers at the helm of Purdue Pharma, maker of OxyContin, while Hughes’s book documents a similar trajectory by entrepreneur John Kapoor, founder of Insys Therapeutics and maker of Subsys. The books reveal that OxyContin and Subsys are highly-addictive opioids that were aggressively and deceitfully marketed, and which are directly linked to today’s opioid epidemic. Local access TV recorded this talk.
Author: Evan Hughes
Author: Patrick Radden Keefe
Date: 03/24/2022
Location: Pierce Middle School, 451 Central Avenue, Milton, MA 02186
Primary URL:
https://www.forbeshousemuseum.org/opium-exhibition/Primary URL Description: Visit this site to learn more about the exhibition and upcoming programs.
Guide Training for Exhibition (Course or Curricular Material)Title: Guide Training for Exhibition
Author: Barbara Silberman
Abstract: Guide Training was offered to 30 guides who volunteered to provide guided tours of the exhibit and to staff the arrival point and gift shop. The course was provided in 10 sessions, on either Tuesday mornings or evenings, to accommodate as many guides as possible. The sessions were held on zoom. Some were recorded; some were not due to technical issues. There were several guest speakers: Otis Edwards, a Ph.D. candidate in history at the University of Hong Kong, spoke Captain Robert Bennet Forbes and his development of a supply ship at LinTin off the China coast that supplied sundries to sailors but also served as a new smuggling point for opium; Elisabeth Nevins, a museum educator and evaluator; who provided information about how to engage visitors and provide interesting tours; Angela Lee, a HS world history teacher, specializing in the China Trade; Tom Claflin, a businessman operating trade operations in China now; Bill Sargent, the former H.A. Crosby Forbes Curator of Asian Export Art, who spoke on various art objects in the collection that will be included in the exhibition; Kristin Wason, RN, NP, Addictions Specialist, who spoke on the opioid epidemic; Karen Groce-Horan and Jayne Otago, of Courageous Conversations for Racial Justice, who directed a guided conversation about Asian racism, beginning with the China Trade and continuing today; Jill Conley, project curator who discussed handling objects and care of the collections, Barbara Silberman, Project Director, who provided background on the Forbes family, and the ships that were used in the Trade, as well as safety and security for visitors; and Heidi Vaughan, Executive Director, who provided background on the Museum and provided additional information for many sessions. Fifteen of the original participants completed the program and will provide guide services for the exhibition. One other person audited the course, and two others are in HS and will complete the course at the end of the school year.
Year: 2021
Audience: Other
Opium: The Business of Addiction (Exhibition)Title: Opium: The Business of Addiction
Curator: Jill Conley
Abstract: “Opium: The Business of Addiction ” relates the story of the Forbes family’s involvement in the 19th c. opium trade, its links to the current opioid-epidemic, and its lasting impact on US-Sino relations. The exhibition is installed in two venues-the Forbes House Museum and the Milton Public Library. At the Museum, objects related to the trade and personal objects of the family brought back from China depict the family's business dealings and the opulent lifestyle they enjoyed as a result of the wealth they accumulated selling opium. At the Library, the exhibition focuses on information related to the use of opioids, destigmatization of addiction, and new treatments for substance use disorder. Conclusions in both venues connect the opium trade with the epidemic and the state of US relations with China.
Year: 2021
Primary URL:
http://www.forbeshousemuseum.orgPrimary URL Description: Museum website with section devoted to exhibition.
Prizes
Award of Excellence
Date: 6/1/2023
Organization: AASLH
Race, Relationships and Reconciliation (Public Lecture or Presentation)Title: Race, Relationships and Reconciliation
Abstract: This program was held under the auspices of Courageous Conversations Toward Racial Justice, which facilitates guided discussions about racial issues. This program was aimed at addressing Asian-American racism and included panelists who were Chinese-American and one history professor. One of the panelists related a horrific story about how opium addiction had affected her family. There was an extended question and answer session, with participants attending in person and on zoom.
Author: Jayne Otega and Karen Grace-Horan
Date: 05/12/22
Location: Milton Public Library
Primary URL:
http://https://www.courageousconversations-milton.org/Opium: The Business of Addiction (Script)Title: Opium: The Business of Addiction
Writer: Barbara Silberman and Rebecca Migdal
Director: Barbara Silberman
Abstract: Master script for exhibition with master object list.
Year: 2022
Forbes House Museum seeks tour guides (Article)Title: Forbes House Museum seeks tour guides
Author: "Happenings" section
Abstract: This article outlines the exhibit story, provides a photo of some of the objects and provides an in-depth description of the guide training program. The article includes a list of all the funders and describes the architecture of the Forbes house.
Year: 2022
Primary URL:
http://www.miltontimes.comPrimary URL Description: Milton Times website
Access Model: Subscription
Format: Newspaper
Periodical Title: Milton Times
Publisher: Milton Times
"Opium" co-author speaks March 3 at Milton Arts Center (Article)Title: "Opium" co-author speaks March 3 at Milton Arts Center
Author: No byline
Abstract: John Halpern, MD presented a talk on his book, "Opium: How an ancient flower shaped and poisoned our world." Dr. Halpern is a psychiatrist specializing in addictions medicine. He spoke of his multi-faceted approach to battling addiction and the need to destigmatize that term. The presentation was the opening program tied to the upcoming exhibition, "Opium: The Business of Addiction."
Year: 2022
Primary URL:
http://www.miltontimes.comPrimary URL Description: Milton Times website
Access Model: Subscription
Format: Newspaper
Periodical Title: Milton Times
Publisher: Milton Times
The Forbes House Mansion was built with opium money. Now, an exhibit reckons with Boston's lesser known history. (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)Title: The Forbes House Mansion was built with opium money. Now, an exhibit reckons with Boston's lesser known history.
Writer: Martha Biebinger
Director: Barbara Silberman
Producer: NPR
Abstract: This broadcast highlights the role of New England opium traders including the Forbes family and connects the trade to other Boston history.
Year: 2022
Primary URL:
http://https://www.wbur.org/news/2022/04/27/forbes-house-museum-opium-bostonPrimary URL Description: WBUR/NPR website
Access Model: Radio -Station WBUR
Forbes House Museum sponsors author talk at Pierce Middle School (Article)Title: Forbes House Museum sponsors author talk at Pierce Middle School
Author: "Happenings" section
Abstract: This article provides information and background on a talk by authors Patrick Radden Keefe and Evan Hughes, who will discuss their stories of greed, deception, excess and legal battles in the pharmaceutical industry. This article includes a list of funders and sponsors for this program.
Year: 2022
Primary URL:
http://www.miltontimes.comPrimary URL Description: Milton Times website
Access Model: Subscription
Format: Newspaper
Periodical Title: Milton Times
Publisher: Milton Times
The China Trade: Race, Relationships and Reconciliation and The Opium Trade in Context: Local, Global and Modern Connections (Article)Title: The China Trade: Race, Relationships and Reconciliation and The Opium Trade in Context: Local, Global and Modern Connections
Author: Sal Giarratani
Abstract: Two articles about a program on Asian-American racism and a teacher workshop to be held in June. Each short article provides the particulars of time, place and cost.
Year: 2022
Primary URL:
http://noneFormat: Newspaper
Periodical Title: Boston Paper, Dorchester Reporter
Publisher: Boston City Paper and Dorchester Reporter
The Business of Opium Opens at Forbes House (Article)Title: The Business of Opium Opens at Forbes House
Author: June Desmond
Abstract: This article describes the exhibit room by room in the house and discusses the role of the Forbes family in the 19th c. opium trade.
Year: 2022
Primary URL:
http://www.miltontimes.comPrimary URL Description: Milton Times website
Access Model: Subscription
Format: Newspaper
Publisher: Milton Times
Milton Public Library list of books and movies related to opium trade (Course or Curricular Material)Title: Milton Public Library list of books and movies related to opium trade
Author: Will Adamczyk
Abstract: List of movies and books related to China, the opium trade, the opioid epidemic, and current US relations with China.
Year: 2022
Primary URL:
http://miltonpubliclibrary.orgPrimary URL Description: Milton Public Library website
Audience: General Public
Bibliography of Scholarly Sources for Opium Trade (Course or Curricular Material)Title: Bibliography of Scholarly Sources for Opium Trade
Author: Barbara Silberman
Abstract: Bibliography of books, articles, exhibitions, and websites related to the 19th c. opium trade.
Year: 2021
Primary URL:
http://noneAudience: Other
Opium: How an Ancient Flower Shaped and Poisoned Our World (Conference Paper/Presentation)Title: Opium: How an Ancient Flower Shaped and Poisoned Our World
Author: John Halpern, MD
Abstract: John Halpern spoke about his personal and professional relationship to opium and opioids. His best friend died of an overdose; he is a practicing psychiatrist specializing in addictions medicine. Dr. Halpern provided insight into the history of the use of opium and its derivatives, pointing out that is has been used for pain and pleasure for thousands of years. He discussed ways to treat addiction and answered dozens of questions.
Date: 03/03/2022
Milton Public Library Web page for "Opium: The Business of Addiction" (Web Resource)Title: Milton Public Library Web page for "Opium: The Business of Addiction"
Author: Will Adamzcyk
Abstract: This is a compilation of books, movies and articles related to the exhibition, available to the general public.
Year: 2022
Primary URL:
http://https://miltonlibrary.libguides.com/ForbesHouseExhibitPrimary URL Description: Milton Public Library web site, Milton MA