Oral History Interview with Dennis Bidwell
Title
Oral History Interview with Dennis Bidwell
Narrator (written)
Dennis Bidwell
Narrator First Name
Dennis
Narrator Last Name
Bidwell
Interviewer
Patrick Howard
Abstract
Dennis Bidwell ’71. Oral History Interview for the Dartmouth Vietnam Project. Bidwell discusses his childhood in Denver during the 1950s and early 1960s. He then shares his Dartmouth experience through debauched dorm life, his emerging political awareness during a study abroad term in Bourges, France, his shift to majoring in government, his teaching as a Tucker Foundation intern in Jersey City, NJ, and his involvement in the antiwar movement, including with the Congressional lobbying group, Continuing Presence in Washington (CPW). He also describes watching the 1969 draft lottery, applying for Conscientious Objector (CO) status, and conflicts with his father over his CO application. Bidwell describes his post-graduation move to Boston, work in community organizing and education, and deferring his acceptance to NYU Law School in anticipation of alternative service. Bidwell describes his later career change to nonprofit funding and real estate philanthropy and his move to Northampton, MA. Finally, he offers final reflections on his activism and on healing familial rifts over the war.
Date of Interview
May 3, 2023
Subject
Conscientious Objector
Dartmouth Alumni
Dartmouth History
Political Participation
Protest/Antiwar Activism
Language
English
Rights
Interview Audio Source (MP3)
//rcweb.dartmouth.edu/DDHI/histories/bidwell_dennis/bidwell_dennis.mp3
Interview Transcript Source (PDF)
//rcweb.dartmouth.edu/DDHI/histories/bidwell_dennis/bidwell_dennis_transcript_final.pdf
HTML
//rcweb.dartmouth.edu/DDHI/histories/bidwell_dennis/bidwell_dennis_transcript_final.html