The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series

Alcatraz: 250 Years on the Rock – John Martini

The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series

Welcome to The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series on radio and podcast. I’m Paul Vogelzang, and as part of our Art Of Living interview series, we have an excellent program about America’s most notorious island: Alcatraz,  home of Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary.  Our guest today is Smithsonian Associate John Martini. John Martini will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates coming up, and the title of John Martini’s presentation is Alcatraz: 250 Years on the Rock  Check out our website for more details.

Thank you so much for listening. We’ve got a great guest today for our Smithsonian Associates  Art Of Living interview series with Smithsonian Associate John Martini.   I’ll introduce  Smithsonian Associate John Martini in just a moment.  But, quickly, if you missed any episodes, last week was our 706th episode when I spoke to Smithsonian Associate, returning guest biblical scholar and NYT best-selling author Dr. Bart Ehrman.  Two weeks ago, as part of our series on Women’s History Month, I spoke with award-winning American television producer, filmmaker, and journalist Natasha Lance Rogoff author of the new book Muppets in Moscow.   Excellent subjects for our Not Old Better Show audience, especially during Women’s History Month…If you missed those shows, along with any others, you can go back and check them out with my entire back catalog of shows, all free for you, there on our website, NotOld-Better.com

Alcatraz is America’s most notorious island, and its most misunderstood. Beginning with its first sighting by Europeans in 1769 through its present standing as the top paid tourist attraction in San Francisco, its history is multi-layered. Former National Park ranger and historian John Martini talks to us today about how he’s uncovered both the island’s infamous past as a federal penitentiary from 1934 to 1963 and its lesser-known roles as a Civil War fortress, political prison for Confederate sympathizers, and a military prison for recalcitrant U.S. Army soldiers and Native American warriors.  The title of John Martini’s presentation at Smithsonian Associates is Alcatraz: 250 Years On The Rock.  We’ve got lots of questions for John…let’s jump right in.

My thanks to John Martini for his generous time today.  Remember to check out John Martini’s presentation at Smithsonian Associates is Alcatraz: 250 Years On The Rock.  And, check out the show notes today for more information and ticket details.  My thanks to the Smithsonian team for all they do to support the show.  My thanks to you, my wonderful Not Old Better Show audience… Let’s talk about better.  The Not Old Better Show Smithsonian Associates interview series.  Thanks, everybody. 

For more details, please check out Smithsonian Associates: 

https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/alcatraz