October 29, 2019–March 12, 2020
Briscoe Center for American History, Austin, Texas
Weatherby Gallery
Political provocateur, charismatic protestor, counterculture icon: Abbie Hoffman is known for a brand of activism that used theatricality, irreverent humor, and seemingly spontaneous actions to raise awareness and rally support for a wide range of anti-establishment causes. Hoffman’s archive, now housed at the Briscoe Center, reveals the deep political and social engagement behind his notoriety and the careful planning behind his writing and activism.
Artifacts and documents on display in this exhibit include photographs, speech drafts, and records of events that made Hoffman a household name, such as the protests at the 1968 Democratic National Convention, and his years spent underground in the 1970s. The archive also includes correspondence with famous figures like Jane Fonda, Jimmy Carter, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, and illuminates Hoffman’s work with those who agreed (and sometimes, disagreed) with his goals.
