World War ll program at Wright Museum next week

WOLFEBORO — The Wright Museum will welcome Stephen Harding for the third program of the Wright Museum’s 2026 Education Series.

They collaborated with Nazis and Fascists. Conspired against Allies in World War II. Committed unthinkable acts of treason. And triggered a secret manhunt as harrowing as any Hollywood cliff-hanger. The mission was part of the FBI’s “European Operation.” The targets were U.S. citizens plotting against their own country. The goal: to identify and capture these traitors hiding in the shadows of war-torn Europe. To accomplish this, a small group of federal agents assumed new identities to infiltrate underground networks, interrogate key suspects, and expose the enemies within the Allied ranks. It is one of the most fascinating spy stories of World War II — and one that’s never been fully told. Until now.

Using newly declassified documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act — as well as exclusive interviews with family members of the FBI agents and unpublished accounts of American citizens accused of treason — this meticulously researched book provides shocking new details behind this crucial World War II operation. From J. Edgar Hoover’s attempt to expand FBI operations overseas to the agency’s covert ties to Britain’s MI5; from the shocking exposure of espionage activities in France and Italy to the final convictions of Nazi war criminals at the Nuremberg trials — this incredible saga of spy and counterspy is brought vividly to life by author Stephen Harding in what is destined to be a classic of World War II literature.

This program will be on Tuesday, June 9. Doors open at 6 p.m., the program begins at 7 p.m. at the Wright Museum’s DuQuoin Education Center, 77 Center St. Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made online at wrightmuseum.org/lecture-series or by calling 603-569-1212.

The region’s leading resource for educators and learners of all ages on World War II, the Wright Museum features more than 14,000 items in its collection that are representative of both the home front and battlefield.

For more information about the 2026 Lecture Series, or museum, visit wrightmuseum.org.