Manufactured by
Unidentified
Owned by
Wallace, Herman, American, 1941 - 2013
Subject of
Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, American, founded 1835
Date
after 1972
Medium
plastic, metal, ink on paper, and hair
Dimensions
H x W x D: 3 1/4 × 1 5/8 in. (8.2 × 4.1 cm)
Caption
Herman Wallace (1941-2013) spent 42 years in solitary confinement in Louisiana state prisons, first at the correctional facility known as Angola and later at Elayn Hunt Correctional Center. Wallace, along with fellow Angola inmates Albert Woodfox and Robert King, became the longest prisoners held in solitary confinement. Members of the Angola Chapter of the Black Panther Party (BPP), the men long insisted that they were framed and wrongfully convicted in retaliation for their support of the BPP and advocation for reform within Angola. Known as the "Angola Three," these men never gave up their fight against injustice, and became a rallying cry for prison cruelty and the need for reform.
Wallace died October 4, 2013, three days after his conviction was finally overturned and he was released from prison. Among his final words were "I’m free, I’m free."
This collection of personal belongings from Wallace’s 42 years of solitary confinement is a powerful testament to the human spirit as well as creativity and craft traditions. These objects demonstrate Wallace’s strength and resilience in maintaining his personal identity, social connections, and commitment to justice during his longtime isolation.
Description
A round, white plastic lotion tub repurposed to hold small personal items by Herman Wallace while incarcerated at Angola Prison. Inside the container are tiny objects wrapped in plastic, to include: a kite, handmade battery charger, electronic part, needle, matches, copper wire, melted paper clip, a photo, screws and springs, a ball of hair, and printed instructions of chemo dosages. The top is detachable by twist action. There are no markings or inscriptions on the container.
Place used
Angola, West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
Herman Wallace Archival Collection
Classification
Memorabilia and Ephemera - Other
Accessories and Personal Effects
Type
containers
make-dos
Topic
American South
Health
Men
Prisons
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Maria Hinds
Object number
A2018.36.1.1
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd53e1016e1-9ad9-48d4-ad25-e0075f11229d

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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