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Bluff City: The Secret Life of Photographer Ernest Withers
  • Date: Tuesday, February 05, 2019
  • Time: 5:00 pm
  • Location: William G. McGowan Theater, Washington, DC

Who was Ernest Withers? Most Americans may not know his name, but they know his photographs, which are some of the most iconic images of the civil rights movement. In Bluff City, author Preston Lauterbach examines the career of Ernest Withers, an African-American photographer who traveled extensively with Martin Luther King, Jr. during his public life. What no one knew, was that Withers was an informant and an essential asset to the FBI.

A book signing will follow the program. Purchase this book on the day of the event from the National Archives Store and receive a 15% discount (members get 20% off).

All public programs at the National Archives are free and streamed live online via the National Archives’ YouTube channel. Reservations are recommended; seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The doors to the building will open 45 minutes prior to the start of the program. Use the Special Events entrance on the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Street, NW. Click here for more information on getting to the National Archives and parking.

Live captioning will be available online and in the William G. McGowan Theater. If you require an alternative or additional accommodation for an event (such as a downloadable transcript or a sign language interpreter), please send an email to public.program@nara.gov or call 202.357.5000 in advance.

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