April 3, 2026, will be the 30th anniversary of the arrest of the person who became known simply as the Unabomber. It’s the day that Theodore “Ted” Kaczynski was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), following a 17-year investigation. Alcatraz East Crime Museum is highlighting the anniversary this month, inviting people to take part and learn more about the crimes that shook the nation.
“The Unabomber case was one of the largest in FBI history and it is a case that continues to intrigue the public, even thirty years later,” said Ally Pennington, artifacts and programs manager at Alcatraz East Crime Museum. “From the man’s mindset to how and where he was discovered – it’s all fascinating crime history.”
Throughout April 2026, Alcatraz East Crime Museum will be spotlighting the case on its social media pages. This will include Trivia Tuesday questions that center around the Unabomber Manifesto. To participate, visit the museum’s Facebook Page every Tuesday for a chance to win general admission tickets to the museum. Alcatraz East Crime Museum will also be highlighting an artifact related to the Unabomber from their collection every Monday.
Additionally, people are invited to join the Crime Museum Book Club Facebook Group to follow along as the club features the bookMadman in the Woods: Life Next Door to the Unabomber by Jamie Gehring. The group will hold online discussions about the book. Gehring grew up on the same land as Kaczynski’s’ infamous cabin. She shares her experiences growing up and her later research on understanding Kaczynski after he was arrested. Additional information about the book can be found online on the author’s website. Those interested in the topic are invited to read the book and take part.
According to the FBI, the Unabomber was arrested in a 10’x14’ cabin in the mountains of Montana. His cabin contained bomb components and 40,000 written journal pages, among other items. His brother led authorities to him, following a lengthy investigation, where the Unabomber left false clues to throw off investigators. He created untraceable bombs and delivered them to random targets, killing three and injuring 23. The Unabomber took his own life in 2023 while serving consecutive life sentences in prison.
“Now is the time for college students to stop in and check us out,” Pennington said. “They won’t want to miss getting in on our annual college days, where they will be eligible for a special admission rate.”
College Days at Alcatraz East Crime Museum will be held throughout the months of April and May 2026. All college students with valid student identification can score a ticket rate of only $15 plus tax per person. Student identification must be shown at the admission desk and the offer cannot be combined with any other promotions or offers.
The museum features over 100 exhibits and interactives, as well as four temporary exhibit spaces, showcasing many famous items, including Al Capone’s rosary, Ted Bundy’s dental molds, and Charles Manson’s acoustic guitar. This top museum is open daily at 10 am. The last tickets are sold 60 minutes before closing. These interactive experiences are available for an additional fee for birthday parties, school groups, scouts, team building, or other special events. To get a discounted rate for groups of 15 or more, complete the online form and allow up to 72 hours for confirmation. For more information about tickets, discounts, temporary exhibits, and all the museum has to offer, visit the website: https://www.alcatrazeast.com.
Alcatraz East Crime Museum has updated its board of crime experts, which includes Derwin Bradley, a retired master police officer; James R. Knight, a crime writer; Robin Maynard, a certified crime scene investigator in Florida; Derek Newport, a law enforcement veteran who worked for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for 20 years; and Judge Belvin Perry, Jr., who presided over the notorious case against Casey Anthony, among others.
