John McGrail, interviewed by Laura Finkel

Series

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

A series of fifteen interviews recorded between 1994 - 1997 by Laura Finkel concerning anti-war movement, protests, and activities on the campus at the University of Maine during the Vietnam War era (1964 - 1973).

Dates

Creation: 1994-1998

Creator

From the Collection: Finkel, Laura (Interviewer, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

For digitized items free from access restrictions, we are working to upload this material (pdfs, mp3s, jpgs) for public access, but it is an ongoing project. If you don’t find what you are looking for here, contact Special Collections (um.library.spc@maine.edu).

Extent

From the Collection: 17 items

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Abstract

2552 John McGrail, interviewed by Laura Finkel, November 12, 1996, by telephone. McGrail discusses Vietnam-era protests and activism at the University of Maine; the process of turning to the progressive/antiwar movement; composition of Students for a Democratic Society [SDS]; links between national and local SDS; SDS nationally growing more radical; difference between engineering and liberal arts students; relationship with Student Government; significance of the antiwar movement; difference between UMaine and other, larger schools; perception of UMaine President Win Libby; response to Kent State killings; blood drive; being attacked while marching; talking to fraternities about the war; restrictions of in loco parentis policies; impact of antiwar involvement on his life; his role as the “everyman;” the Communist Party on campus; the backwardness of northern Maine in the 1960s; and individuals involved in the antiwar movement. Text: 72 pp. transcript. Recording: C 1655 1.5 hours.