Prisons, Activism, & History: The 1973 Walpole Takeover - Then and Now

Learn about an overlooked chapter in local history, explore archival materials, and reflect on what the takeover of MCI Walpole can still teach us today. In the spring of 1973, the correctional officers union at Walpole went on strike, and the newly formed prisoners’ union took over the institution for two months. A short presentation will be followed by a hands-on dive into primary sources from the Walpole 1973 NPRA Digital Archive. You’ll examine surviving documents and learn firsthand how historians piece together the past and reconstruct stories from archival materials. This program is offered in partnership with the Boston University Center for the Humanities. About the speaker: Thomas Dichter, PhD is a scholar of prisons in American culture and history. He has taught interdisciplinary courses in history, literature, and legal studies at Harvard University, Amherst College, and Boston College. Accessibility Notice : We strive to make our events accessible. To request a disability accommodation and/or language services, contact the department listed in the "Contact Info" pane on the right. Please allow at least two weeks to arrange accommodation. Programming at the Boston Public Library is funded through private support. To learn more about supporting the Library, please visit the Boston Public Library Fund's website .