Black Tom Island Historical Panel

A free virtual panel discussion about the Black Tom Explosion featuring historians and the play’s creative team will take place on Zoom. Free advance registration is required.

The panel will feature historians Janet Akhtarshenas of Liberty State Park and Timothy R. White of New Jersey City University, along with playwright Martin Casella and director Darren Lee. Additional panelists may be announced at a later date. Attendees are encouraged to listen to the podcast before attending the panel.

Today, the Black Tom site is part of New Jersey’s Liberty State Park. A historical marker is located in the southeast corner of the park. The play also takes place in OLC – Our Lady of Czestochowa Catholic Church, which features stained glass windows commemorating the incident today.

Based on an actual incident that took place in Jersey City in 1916, Black Tom Island explores the first documented terrorist attack on American soil through the lens of a fictionalized Slovak immigrant and his wife who may or may not be involved in the attack. Funded in part through the Hudson County Historical Partnership Grant.

Event link: https://www.arthouseproductions.org/collections/art-house-online/products/blacktomislandpanel