The National Park Service (NPS), Friends of Manzanar, and Manzanar History Association invite the public to attend a series of special events this Saturday, September 17. The day begins with an 11:00 a.m. dedication ceremony for the recently reconstructed guard tower. During the ceremony, Grateful Crane Ensemble will perform 1940s songs and acclaimed poet Lawson Fusao Inada will read a work he has composed for the occasion. The NPS and Friends of Manzanar will recognize Sue Embrey, Rose Ochi, and Bill Michael for their decades of effort to preserve the site and highlight its importance in American history. After the ceremony, Manzanar History Association (MHA) will provide light refreshments.
At 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., MHA will host a talk and reading by Lawson Fusao Inada. Considered by some to be the father of Asian-American literature, Inada’s recent works include Legends From Camp, Drawing The Line, and Only What We Could Carry: The Japanese American Internment Experience. Mr. Inada will be available to sign books between his readings.
From 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Jennifer Anderson, a studio artist employed by Hiromi Paper International in Santa Monica, will demonstrate traditional Japanese bookbinding techniques.
From September 17 to October 15, Manzanar will host a special exhibit by professional photographer John Tonai featuring contemporary images of each of the former War Relocation Centers. The events are free and open to the public. Manzanar National Historic Site is located along U.S. Highway 395, six miles south of Independence, California and nine miles north of Lone Pine. For more information on programs and projects at Manzanar, please visit our website at www.nps.gov/manz or call (760) 878-2194 or (760) 878-2932.
