Patterson Library in Westfield will host a preview screening of “Among the Hemlocks, Fantastic Stories from Fredonia, NY,” a documentary by Roslin Smith, assistant professor of Communication, on Thursday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m.
The film depicts the history of Fredonia using voices of Fredonia residents. Historical photographs, newspaper clippings, re-enactments, interviews and voice-overs bring to life humorous, strange and factual stories from long ago. Over 80 community members and faculty and staff from the university – as well as students enrolled in courses taught by Ms. Smith -- were involved in the production. Research, production and post production spanned 18 months.
Beautiful landscapes of the Fredonia area are featured, as well as historical music and sounds to relive a bygone era and the people who lived among the hemlocks.
The project was made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a re-grant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and administered by Tri-County Arts Council. A grant for summer research was received from State University of New York at Fredonia Provost Teresa Brown.
A copy will be given to the Darwin R. Barker Library in Fredonia as a permanent installation.
The screening is free and open to the public. The library is located at 40 S. Portage St.
