Online Lecture: A Penitentiary with a Past — The Story of Alcatraz

Prior to becoming a federal penitentiary, Alcatraz was a lighthouse, a military fort, and a prison for rebellious Native American tribes. Join writer and San Francisco local expert James Dalessandro as he traces the troubled history of America’s most renowned penal institution. Learn what the island was originally used for and how it transformed into a worldwide stage for the 1969 American Indian Movement. In this session, you’ll meet some of the most infamous criminals who have been detained at Alcatraz over the years and uncover shocking new details about the most sensational prison escape in U.S. history.

Your online lecture will take place live over the course of 1-2 hours. All times are listed in the EASTERN time zone. If you live in a different time zone, please adjust your schedule accordingly. This live online experience uses Zoom Webinar, an easy-to-use web video service that includes closed captioning. All you need is an Internet connection and your computer. You will receive a confirmation email when you enroll, and a reminder email one week and one day before, as well as the morning of the event with a link and instructions on how to tune in. You will not be pictured on screen during the lecture, but you will have the opportunity to ask the instructor live questions using the Q&A box. Unless otherwise noted, all those who enroll in this program receive access to the live event as well as a recording of the lecture that you can watch any time within the two weeks following the live event.