Alcatraz East Crime Museum has some exciting things on tap, giving guests a glimpse into some of American history’s most famous criminal cases. First up is a new temporary exhibit titled Watergate Remembered: The Downfall of Richard Nixon, followed by a fascinating guest speaker. Alcatraz East will be hosting a talk with Arthur Bohanan about his experience as a forensic expert at Ground Zero following the September 11 attack.
“Watergate is a case that always sparks a lot of interest,” says Ally Pennington, artifacts and programs manager at Alcatraz East Crime Museum. “It’s been 52 years since the scandal, and people still refer to it and talk about it regularly. We are thrilled to put it in the spotlight with this new exhibit.”
The exhibit will be on display through September 2025. Guests will get a chance to learn more about the famous political corruption scandal and what ultimately led to former President Richard Nixon’s undoing. On June 17, 1972, a security guard in a Washington D.C. hotel and office building was making his rounds when he noticed an exit door was taped open. Little did he realize that once he alerted authorities, it would turn into a significant case that would drag out a couple of years and lead to the only presidential resignation in the country’s history.
The exhibit will feature Watergate journalist artifacts, signed Watergate tape transcripts, and the restraints from the James McCord trial. McCord was in charge of security for the President’s re-election campaign and was one of the people arrested for his part in breaking into the Democratic National Headquarters at the hotel and office building. He was sentenced to one to five years in prison, but he was released after serving four months due to cooperating with the ongoing investigation. He died in June 2017 at the age of 93.
“We also want to welcome Arthur Bohanan back to speak,” added Pennington. “He’s always a popular speaker, and the information he shares is fascinating. We are grateful to have such an expert provide our guests with his first-hand account of the 9/11 aftermath.”
Bohanan, a Sevier County native, is a forensics expert who assisted in identifying human remains following the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. In his talks, he shares his feelings about his experience, the hazardous conditions, and how first responders are still impacted by the experience today. His 30-minute talk will occur on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at noon and 1:30 pm. Sitting in on it is included in the regular admission ticket. To get more information about the talk, visit the site at: https://www.alcatrazeast.com/temporary-exhibits/speaker-programs/art-bohanan/
Alcatraz East Crime Museum will be accepting submissions for the annual Graffiti Art Contest through September 2, 2024. There will be prizes and the contest’s top three pieces will be displayed inside the museum. To get more information about the graffiti art contest, visit the site here: https://www.alcatrazeast.com/graffiti-contest/
The museum features over 100 exhibits and interactives and four temporary exhibit spaces, with many famous items on display, including Al Capone’s rosary, Ted Bundy’s dental molds, and Charles Manson’s acoustic guitar.They also hold various programs throughout the year, including an annual highlight of 9/11 and a biennial art contest that puts graffiti in the spotlight.This top museum is open at 10 am daily. The last tickets are sold 60 minutes before closing. These interactive experiences are available for an additional fee for birthday parties, school groups, scouts, team building, or other special events. To get a discounted rate for groups of 15 or more, complete the online form and allow up to 72 hours for confirmation. For more information about tickets, discounts, temporary exhibits, and all the museum offers, visit the site: https://www.alcatrazeast.com.
Alcatraz East Crime Museum has updated its board of crime experts, which includes Derwin Bradley, a retired master police officer; James R. Knight, a crime writer; Robin Maynard, a certified crime scene investigator in Florida; Derek Newport, a law enforcement veteran who worked for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for 20 years; and Judge Belvin Perry, Jr., who presided over the notorious case against Casey Anthony, among others.