Guests of the Third Reich Public Events
Join us for these free, public events in conjunction with the special exhibit, Guests of the Third Reich: American POWs in Europe, on display through July 7, 2013. For more information call 504-528-1944 x 229.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012, 5:00 pm reception, 6:00 pm presentation
Discussion – Meet the Curator
Join curator Kimberly Guise as she discusses the inspiration, creation and public reception to this thought-provoking exhibition. A reception will precede the event at 5:00 pm.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012, 6:00 pm
Film Screening – The Great Escape
This 1963 film is about an escape by Allied prisoners of war from a German POW camp, starring Steve McQueen, James Garner, and Richard Attenborough.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Lunchbox Lecture – Nathan Huegen presents “POWs in Louisiana”
History Day Coordinator Nathan Huegen will explore the experiences of Louisiana’s WWII POW camps. Learn how the labor from these prisoners affected the state and how Louisiana residents reacted to them.
Thursday, February 21, 2013, 6:00 pm
Film Screening – Stalag 17
This 1953 film tells the story of a group of American airmen held in a German POW camp, who come to suspect that one of their number is a traitor. Produced and directed by Billy Wilder, it starred William Holden, Don Taylor, Robert Strauss, Neville Brand, Harvey Lembeck, and Peter Graves.
Thursday, March 21, 2013, 5:00 pm reception, 6:00 pm presentation, 7:00 pm book signing
Meet the Author – Craig B. Smith, author of Counting the Days
Counting the Days is the story of six prisoners of war imprisoned by both sides during the conflict the Japanese called the “Pacific War.”
Tuesday, March 26, 2013, 6:00 pm
Documentary Screening – Lost Airmen of Buchenwald
This film chronicles the extraordinary journey of 168 Allied airmen illegally imprisoned in the Buchenwald Concentration Camp during World War II.
Mondays in April, 7:30 pm
Screening – Hogan’s Heroes
Based on the play/film Stalag 17, this TV series ran from 1965 to 1971 and focuses on the exploits of five POWs who aim to sabotage the German war effort. Select episodes will be screened and discussed.
Thursday, April 4, 2013, 4:30 pm reception, 5:30 pm presentation
Symposium – The Lynching of Allied POWs in World War II
Guenter Bischof, Director of Center Austria at the University of New Orleans, will chair a panel of academics discussing the lynching of Allied Airmen behind enemy lines during World War II
Wednesday, April 24, 2013, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Lagniappe Lecture – Kevin Fontenot presents “Over These Prison Walls I Would Fly: Country Music POWs during World War II”
Kevin Fontenot will discuss the war service, POW experiences and post war musical careers of three influential figures in country music: Charlie Fitch (founder of Sarge records), Cajun music pioneer Julius “Papa Cairo” Lamperez and Sidney “Hardrock” Gunter, who recorded what is widely regarded as one of the first rock and roll records.
This event has been cancelled. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please listen to a recording of this lecture from a previous event here.
Thursday, May 16, 2013, 6:00 pm
Documentary Screening – Berga: Soldiers of Another War
The story of a group of more than 300 American soldiers who were captured by the Germans during the Battle of the Bulge. Because they were either Jewish or “looked” Jewish, they were sent to concentration camps instead of POW camps, where many died. Directed by Charles Guggenheim.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Lagniappe Lecture – Kimberly Guise presents “Wartime Logs”
Learn more about the special diaries that the YMCA and Red Cross provided for POWs held captive by the Germans in WWII.
Monday, May 27, 2013, 1:00 pm
Presentation – From Their Fathers: Children of POWs Share Stories and Artifacts
Moderated by Robert Miller (director of the Patton Foundation and author of Hidden Hell: Discovering My Father’s POW Diary) this panel will bring together children and grandchildren of men held as POWs during WWII.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013, 6:30 pm
Book Discussion – Slaughterhouse-Five
Slaughterhouse-Five, or The Children’s Crusade: A Duty-Dance with Death (1969) is a satirical novel by Kurt Vonnegut about an Allied soldier called Billy Pilgrim. One of Vonnegut’s most influential and popular works. Join us for a discussion on this moving book.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013, 6:00 pm
Film Screening – Slaughterhouse-Five
Director George Roy Hill faithfully renders for the screen Vonnegut’s obsessive story of soldier and POW, Billy Pilgrim.
Visit the Guests of the Third Reich microsite.
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