The cultural, military and natural history of Alcatraz

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The cultural, military and natural history of Alcatraz

A new exhibition highlighting the intriguing Alcatraz Island has popped up in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco.

A new exhibition highlighting the intriguing Alcatraz Island has popped up in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco.

The exhibition titled ‘Alcatraz: Life on the Rock’ showcases the history and infamous inmates of Alcatraz Island through interactive displays and authentic artifacts on loan from Alcatraz alumni.

The exhibit features facts and presents parts of the island not normally open to visitors. From a visitation booth where guests pick up a prison phone and listen to stories from inmates and guards, to a peek-through replica of the tunnel escapees dug to break out of Alcatraz, to videos featuring historic footage and accounts of Alcatraz residents.

“As a national park, Alcatraz belongs to all Americans, and we’ve partnered with the National Park Service on Alcatraz: Life on the Rock to share the island’s captivating story with guests nationwide,” says Terry MacRae, CEO of Alcatraz Cruises and Hornblower Cruises & Events. “We hope this exhibition inspires guests to visit the national parks in their own backyards, as well.”

Guests step through cell doors to enter Alcatraz: Life on the Rock. From there, four main thematic displays and six freestanding components shed light on different aspects of the island.

“Military History” examines Alcatraz’s role as a Civil War-era fortress and military prison, complete with a citadel cellblock replicating a part of the island not traditionally open to visitors. A recreated prison cell is the centerpiece of “Life on the Inside,” which explores the conditions convicts experienced in Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary.

Six years after the prison closed, a group of American Indians staged a 19-month political takeover of the island; video footage from that period is part of the “Strength: The Native American Occupation” display. And, centering on 2 spectacular 8-by 12-foot hand painted murals, “Preserving the Rock” highlights the island’s current status as a national park and shares images of its lush gardens and wildlife.

Also, the hotel’s Eclipse Restaurant is hosting commemorative menu that includes items that were originally fed to the inmates.

Alcatraz Cruises, the National Park Service concessioner of ferry service to Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay, created Alcatraz: Life on the Rock in partnership with the National Park Service.

Information for the public is available at www.alcatrazcruises.com/exhibits.

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A new exhibition highlighting the intriguing Alcatraz Island has popped up in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco.

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