ALCATRAZ LIVING HISTORY DAY
The National Park Service and Friends of Civil War Alcatraz are excited to be hosting the second Civil War Living History Day on Alcatraz Island.
The event will take place on Saturday, October 4, 2008.
We will have coffee, doughnuts, etc. on the island in the morning and LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED.
This announcement should include everything you’ll need to know about the event. If you attended the first Living History Day in February, there have been some additions, deletions and changes, so please review this document carefully.
| TOPIC | PAGE # |
| Hosts | 1 |
| Overview | 1 |
| Schedule for the day | 2 |
| Impressions and Scenarios | 2 |
| What to Expect from the Public | 5 |
| What to Expect from the Weather | 6 |
| Friends and Family | 7 |
| Directions, Parking and Maps | 7 |
| Day of the Event (Important) | 9 |
| What you can do to help the Event | 9 |
| Pre-Event Contact Information | 10 |
| Web Sites | 10 |
| How to Participate | 10 |
National Park Service (NPS)
Friends of Civil War Alcatraz (FOCWA)
The purpose of the Alcatraz Living History Day is to enhance the experience of visitors to the National Park. It is hoped that the living history program will augment the visitor’s understanding and awareness of the many layers of history present on the island.
The story of the Post on Alcatraces Island – as it was officially known, is largely untold. As a participant in the Living History Day, you will be tasked with the telling of this from a very human perspective.
The National Park Service is gearing up for the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War as well as recognition of Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday (Feb. 12, 2009). In keeping with these programs, we are beginning to gear up living history on the island.
Last February, our Living History Day was limited to 50 participants. For October, we feel comfortable in increasing the participation to 150. In order to be fair, participation will be, “first confirmed, first served.” In February we had a waiting list. Due to cancellations, five people on the list were able to attend. So please confirm early and if you must cancel for some reason, please advise us ASAP, so that we may give those on the waiting list as much advance notice as possible that they are, “in.”
Alcatraz Island Historic Landmark District is an amazing site and a hard place to get to; you have to obtain tickets in advance, find and pay for parking, get on a boat… Yet 1.3 million people from all over the world visit the island each year. As a point of reference, Gettysburg sees 1.6 million visitors and you can just drive your car through the place if you’re so inclined.
Expect to interact with over 4,000 visitors on Saturday, October 4.
8:30AM Arrive at the Alcatraz Cruises Dock (Hornblower Ferry, Pier 33), San Francisco
8:45AM Depart on the NPS (Work Boat) ferry to Alcatraz Island
9:00AM Arrive on Alcatraz
Registration. You will be classified as volunteers with the National Park Service (no commitment other than this day on the island is implied)
Weapons Check
Coffee and doughnuts
9:30AM Set-up and preparation
10:00AM Living History Program begins
10:30AM Public Guided Tour: Arms, Armament & Architecture (John Martini)
10:30AM Tour of the Citadel (Participants Only)
11:30AM Tour of the Citadel (Participants Only)
11:45AM Public Guided Tour: Arms, Armament & Architecture (Brad Schall)
Noon Lunch (provided to Participants) – Time Approximate
1:00PM Public Guided Tour: Arms, Armament & Architecture (John Martini)
1:30PM Tour of the Citadel (Participants Only)
2:00PM Public Guided Tour: Arms, Armament & Architecture (Brad Schall)
2:30PM Ladies Tea – in the Gardens
4:00PM Living History Program Concludes
4:30PM Last boat off the island departs
U.S. MILITARY
Military impressions will be limited to units that were stationed on the island during the war. Between now and event time, please visit your local sutler to obtain the correct insignia.
Units Stationed at the Post on Alcatraces Island during the War Between the States:
REGIMENT/UNIT COMPANY/BATTERY
3rd U.S. Artillery A, B, D, E, H, I, K, L, N, Band
9th U.S. Infantry F, G, H, K
U.S. Engineering Det. A
1st Dragoons Recruits
1st California Vol. Inf.
2nd California Vol. Inf. G
2nd California Vol. Cav. F
5th California Vol. Inf. H, K
6th California Vol. Inf. A
8th California Vol. Inf. B, E, G, H, M
1st Washington Vol. Inf. Recruits
Military Prisoner N/A (see below)
This is a garrison impression.
Required uniform for artillery and infantry:
1) Frock coat with appropriate buttons. Kepi with appropriate insignia. A Hardee Hat with appropriate insignia is acceptable.
2) Sack coat with appropriate buttons. Kepi with appropriate insignia.
Weapons
M1842, M1855 or M1861 Springfield Rifle – depending on the unit.
Sword only if appropriate to the impression.
There is a 24-pound Howitzer in the Guard House available for gun drill and other demonstrations. Implements on the island include: one staff with sponge and rammer, one worm staff, “gun hoist bar,” one dummy friction primer, one lanyard, one canister, one grape, one dummy shell.
NO POWDER and NO CAPS ALLOWED
Cavalry shell jacket and kepi with appropriate insignia.
Weapons
M1859 Sharps Carbine or appropriate issue weapon.
Appropriate revolver (Colt pattern 1851 or 1860).
Saber appropriate to the impression.
NO POWDER and NO CAPS ALLOWED
Sack coat with white letter “P” sewn on back (9” high, 5” wide [centered]) and kepi (no insignia).
U.S. Army Prisoners may be utilized as “time portal hosts.” In this capacity, the prisoner would meet the public and re-direct their mindset from the Penitentiary years to the Civil War era (see What to Expect from the Public, below).
It would be a good idea to decide “what you’re doing time for” ahead of time. Many prisoners were doing time for desertion and assaultive behavior. Going AWOL while on liberty in San Francisco would likely be a minimal sentence. Striking an officer might get you shot. Keep in mind that you’ll likely have to explain your situation in front of children, so crimes such as rape or sodomy (while authentic) would be NOT be appropriate.
Note: Military prisoners weren’t known for being responsible people (which is why they were prisoners). With that said, we have found that those portraying prisoners NEED TO BE THE MOST RESPONSIBLE. Once again, you will likely be the visitor’s gateway to the past.
Civilian impressions may include:
Wife
Laundress
Cook (for officer’s family)
Other impression(s)
Contractor
Laborer
Mason
Carpenter
Secessionist Prisoner (limited number)
Confederate Privateer
Secessionist Prisoner: A secessionist prisoner may very well be the most difficult impression. Since there is no documentation of anyone wearing a Confederate uniform in California during the war, CIVILIAN ATTIRE is required. This impression will require answers to questions such as: Where are you from originally and what did you do there? Why are you in California? How long have you been here? Where do you live? What is your occupation? If you are a miner (for instance), how do you do that job? Why are you a prisoner?
As a Secessionist prisoner, you may be philosophical or somewhat indignant about your situation, but keep in mind that this is the Civil War. Your rights have been suspended and corporal punishment is acceptable. So it would be very unwise to antagonize your captors too much.
Confederate Privateer: Approximately 27 privateers from the schooner Chapman were confined on Alcatraz beginning March 15, 1863. Details of the Chapman situation may be found on the internet, including the California Military Museum website (see page 10 of this narrative). There is also information on the internet concerning the Chapman’s captain, Asbury Harpending. Again, this impression calls for CIVILIAN ATTIRE.
Note: When researching this historical event, you may find the vessel identified as the, “J.M. Chapman.” “Chapman” was the schooners correct name. We also have a list of crewmen’s names, but most have not had any background search conducted.
It is our intention to move living historians around during the day (unless you want to stay where you are) to provide breaks and changes of scenery.
Attire for the most versatile impression would be a frock coat. In this uniform, you are free to adopt / portray many personas. You may post yourself (or be posted) as a guard in a variety of locations on the island, including the Dock, Guard House, China Alley and the Tunnel as well as strolling the island. The impression will allow for interpretation on the road above the Gardens where the ladies will be having tea in the afternoon.
Scenario Locations:
Alcatraz Dock (three locations)
Alcove – period music
Cooking Demonstration
Amphitheater for presentations: weapons, life on Alcatraz, soldier’s pay, etc.
Guard House (two rooms)
Artillery Demonstrations with 24-pound Flank Howitzer
Women’s Demonstrations (or other)
China Alley (including Tunnel)
Soldier’s Life (life as a soldier, passes to San Francisco, etc.)
Prisoners
Gardens (afternoon)
Ladies Tea
Parade Ground
(Tentative) Powder Magazine (under the north yard)
Electric Shop
Medical Impression
Entertainment (or lack thereof)
Food
Uniforms
The post as a fortress
The post as the Military Prison for the Department of the Pacific
Concerns about the possibility of a Confederate raid
Concerns about secessionist activity in San Francisco and other locations
Reading or writing letters
Maintaining equipment
Playing cards
Discussing fatigue duties
On the island (maintaining gun batteries, painting, etc.)
Maintaining the gun battery or tending gardens on Angel Island
Discussing Ft. Point (advantages or disadvantages of being stationed there vs. the island)
Complaining
About being paid with paper money. California was a “coin” state; gold and silver. A soldier’s hard earned paper pay was discounted 15% in San Francisco – sometimes more.
Complaining in general. It’s something soldiers did and still do.
Alcatraz is a truly unique and exciting place to interact with the public.
However, it’s important to recognize that the vast majority of people visiting the island have come to see the prison. They don’t realize that Alcatraz is a National Park because of its military history, not its prison history.
The National Park Service (NPS) and Friends of Civil War Alcatraz (FOCWA) have been working on shifting the focus of the Alcatraz experience towards the military history for some time. The Living History Day that we will be conducting is a natural next step in this process.
We (the NPS and FOCWA) have evaluated the February Living History Day and received some excellent input and critique from participants.
The boats to the island disgorge 400 or more visitors about once every half hour. That means we’ll see over 4000 people on Saturday.
The two most asked questions on the island are 1) “Where’s the bathroom?” and 2) “Where’s Al Capone’s cell?” Those two questions define the focus of visitors, who literally come from all over the world.
Upon arriving at the island, the public is given a brief orientation on the Alcatraz Dock and off they go up the narrow road to the see the Cell House at the top of the island.
There is one road to the top, so every half hour, we experience a tidal wave of visitors rolling up the hill, followed shortly thereafter by a tram carrying visitors with mobility needs.
There will be some advance publicity for the Living History Day, but it is doubtful that many visitors will be aware of the event before arriving at the Alcatraz Cruises Dock.
The majority of visitors will arrive with a focus on the infamous prison. We think it best to pretty much let the public go to the top of the island and get Al Capone, George “Machinegun” Kelly, the “Bird Man” and Clint Eastwood out their systems. Then we catch them on the way back down. Our Living History Day in February bore this out, but not to the degree we had expected.
However, we believe that you will find visitors more relaxed and receptive to presentations after they’ve visited the Cell House. That doesn’t mean that people won’t stop for your presentation on the way up (more stopped in February than we would have a right to expect); just don’t expect your program to be a “show stopper” for visitors just off the boat.
In essence, expect your audience to be composed of visitors coming down the road rather than up it.
Presentations in the Guard House will need to be synchronized with the Tram. Since we’re dealing with a very narrow road, presentations at locations along the thoroughfare need to begin after the tram comes through and conclude before it makes the return trip. This means presentations should have a maximum duration of about 20 minutes.
October on Alcatraz can be relatively warm and sunny, cold and windy, overcast or foggy. All of the above in a single day is common.
Layers work best. Bring authentic, or concealable modern long underwear. A greatcoat and gloves are also recommended. If you have a rain proof (poncho), bring it along as well. While we’re on the subject, a canteen is also a very good idea, because the location of your presentation might be 100 yards or more from a water source. It’s one of those, “If you don’t bring it, you’ll likely need it,” things.
RAIN
Rain is not likely in October, but it’s always a possibility.
In the event of rain, the Theater – located inside the Civil War era Bombproof Barracks, will be made available for two or three presentations to take place. We developed several other rain sites earlier this year as well, but ultimately, IF we receive some showers, it will require some “punting” on the part of reenactors.
Friends and Family not participating in the living history day must obtain a ticket from Alcatraz Cruises (see PRE-EVENT CONTACT INFORMATION and WEBSITES, below). Tickets should be purchased well in advance.
Parking at Fort Mason and the NPS Shuttle are not available to Friends and Family not participating.
Four things up front:
1) Parking at Fort Mason (free to Participants) and utilizing the NPS Shuttle to the Alcatraz Cruises Dock.
2) Parking in the vicinity of the Alcatraz Cruises Dock (12-15 dollars for the day).
3) DO NOT utilize a parking space with a PARKING METER. They are only good for two hours.
4) If you have a bunch of stuff to unload and transport to the island, such as cooking gear, contact Event Coordinator, John Nevins well ahead of time to make arrangements.
The NPS will make several runs with the Shuttle if necessary from Fort Mason to the Alcatraz Cruises Dock. It only holds 9-10 people and the first shuttle (which leaves promptly at 8:30AM) will, of necessity, give priority to Park Service staff.
If you opt to park at Fort Mason, BE SURE TO OBTAIN A PARKING PASS from NPS Staff and place it on the dashboard of your vehicle.
If you can’t get on the 8:30AM Shuttle, you will need to take a later boat to the island. This means that by the time you get to the island you will have limited choices where the doughnuts are concerned, but you should have sufficient time to set up for the program, which begins at 10:00AM.
Also be advised that the Return Shuttle(s) (from the Alcatraz Cruises Dock to Fort Mason) will not be operating until 4:45PM.
The RED DOTS on the Map, below, indicate the location for parking lots and garages near the Alcatraz Cruises Dock. Fort Mason is on the Left.
Map of Fort Mason. See above map to reference location.
Directions to the Alcatraz Cruises Dock (Hornblower, Pier 33)
Driving from the South
To reach Hornblower Alcatraz Landing from the south, take Highway 101 North and follow the signs towards the Bay Bridge. Take the 4th Street exit, then turn left onto Bryant Street. Follow Bryant St. to The Embarcadero. Turn left onto The Embarcadero and continue north approximately 1.7 miles to the Hornblower Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33.
Driving from the North
To reach Hornblower Alcatraz Landing from the north, take Highway 101 South across the Golden Gate Bridge. Take the Marina exit onto Marina Blvd. Follow Marina Blvd. to Bay Street. Turn left onto Bay Street and stay on Bay all the way to The Embarcadero. Hornblower Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33 is located at the intersection of Bay Street and The Embarcadero.
Driving from the East
To reach Hornblower Alcatraz Landing from the east, cross the Bay Bridge into San Francisco. Take the Fremont Street exit, and turn left onto Fremont. Follow Fremont St. to Howard, and then turn right on Howard Street. Follow Howard to The Embarcadero. Turn left onto the Embarcadero and continue north approximately 1.7 miles to the Hornblower Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33.
DAY OF THE EVENT – THINGS TO KNOW
NO PARKING ON THE ALCATRAZ CRUISES DOCK
There is very limited parking on the dock. All of the spaces are allocated by the National Park Service. Those participants with “large loads” may be given a parking space on the dock. Please don’t count on it. Any participant who needs one of these spaces must receive approval well in advance. How “well in advance?” If you’re reading this, now is the time to call the event coordinator.
You may drop off people and/or equipment at the dock before parking elsewhere.
BOARDING THE FERRY (IMPORTANT)
Regulations now require that everyone boarding the ferry present a valid I.D. (California Drivers License, etc.)
WEAPONS INSPECTION
Prior to boarding the ferry, weapons, cartridge boxes, cap pouches, etc. will be inspected by a NPS Law Enforcement Ranger and FOCWA safety officer, pursuant to maritime law.
You will be asked to officially sign on as National Park Service Volunteers. No commitment other than this day on the island is implied.
NPS SHUTTLE
The NPS shuttles will transport from Fort Mason to the Alcatraz Cruises Dock in the morning. They will make return trips at the end of the day (beginning about 4:45PM). There are no NPS shuttles during the day, so if you plan to leave the island early, you’ll need to walk the one mile to Fort Mason (mostly up hill) or take a cab.
ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4th, USE THE FOLLOWING CONTACTS:
John Nevins, Event Coordinator, FOCWA: 916-599-6642
Brad Schall, Co-chairman, FOCWA: 510-867-5106
National Park Service, Alcatraz: 415-561-4900 (after 9:00AM)
Alcatraz Cruises: 415-981-7625
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP THE EVENT
· Fill out the Registration Form (below) and mail it early
· Car Pool
· Arrive early enough to drop you passengers off at the Alcatraz Cruises Dock. We only have so much room aboard the shuttles and we are increasing participation three fold (to 150 participants)
· If you have registered for the event and can’t make it, please let us know ASAP so we can get somebody off the waiting list and into the Living History Day program.
PRE-EVENT CONTACT INFORMATION
John Nevins, Event Coordinator
Home Phone (best): 916-560-8505
Cell: 916-599-6642
Email: scss1co@comcast.net
Brad Schall, Co-chairman
Home: 916-408-4482
Cell: 510-867-5106
Email: dschall@starstream.net
WEB SITES
Friends of Civil War Alcatraz: www.friendsofcivilwaralcatraz.org
This is a new web site. It is just getting up to speed, so please be patient.
National Park Service, Alcatraz: www.nps.gov/alcatraz
California Military Museum: www.militarymuseum.org
Good histories about the units stationed on Alcatraz as well as some information on the island itself.
Alcatraz Cruises (Hornblower Ferry): http://www.alcatrazcruises.com
Purchase tickets to Alcatraz
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
To participate in the Alcatraz Living History Day on Saturday, October 4, 2008, Print the Registration Form and mail it.