WPBS-DT, Watertown, NY – January 11, 2017 – WPBS-DT is pleased to announce that “Discovering Watertown”, a new high-definition docuseries with historical reenactments produced by WPBS-DT, will be shown at this year’s Snowtown Film Festival. The festival, now in its third year, celebrates winter and Northern New York through film. The festival will open Friday, January 27th, with a kick-off by actor Viggo Mortensen, and will continue through Saturday, January 28th, with a full day of film selections, filmmaker panels, short film competition and award ceremony. WPBS-DT’s documentary, “Discovering Watertown”, will be presented on Saturday, January 28th at 11am at the Dulles State Office Building located in Watertown, NY. For more information about the festival or to purchase tickets please visit snowtownfilmfestival.com.
About Discovering Watertown
This docuseries, originally broadcast in three, 30 minute episodes, chronicles the fascinating and rich history of Watertown, New York. The documentary will be shown in its entirety at the Snowtown Film Festival. Panelists representing WPBS that were involved in the film will be on-site for Q & A following the 90-minute presentation.
“Settlement & the Early Years”, covers the prehistoric ice age through the founding of Watertown and into the 1840’s. Watch as as surveyor, Benjamin Wright, explores Jefferson County in 1796. Discover the influence of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 on the North Country and why early American settlers decided to make Watertown their home. Learn about the Native Americans who were here prior to the American Settlers and uncover the key players whose courage and ambition helped build the foundation for Watertown to become a successful community. Gain insight into founding father, Henry Coffeen, and his efforts to make Watertown a place of prominence in the new frontier.
“Industrial Growth & Prosperity”, shows us how the city transforms from a rugged wilderness into an industrial powerhouse. Watch as the textile and manufacturing industry grew, jettisoning Watertown into an era of wealth and prosperity during the mid 1800’s and into the twentieth century. Uncover how the landscape of Watertown changed as immigrant workers came to fill the factories and brought with them their culture and religion. See how a class of new wealth was created in Watertown, making it a place of repute throughout the North East. Catch a glimpse of the challenges and hardships Watertown had to endure throughout its development. Challenges such as harsh winters, natural disasters, and several national wars. Part two of Discovering Watertown covers the Industrial boom in the 1850’s through the end of World War II in 1945.
“The Modern Era”, watch as Watertown adjusts to a world after World War II and new challenges. From the controversial Urban Renewal movement under President Lyndon B. Johnson, to the departure of the manufacturing infrastructure. Uncover the economic influence of Fort Drum and the long and intertwined history that the Fort and Watertown share today. Discover the rich history of local sports in Watertown, from boxing with Sugar Ray Robinson to hosting the oldest semi pro football team in the United States. Discover how Watertown has adapted in order to succeed in the modern era and how the undefeatable spirit of Watertown is still alive and well.
Major funding for Discovering Watertown is provided by the Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation. Additional funding Provided By: New York Air Brake., Slack Chemical, JCED, T. Urling & Mabel B. Walker
About WPBS-TV
WPBS-TV is a non-profit public television station serving approximately 650,000 households throughout Northern New York and Eastern Ontario. WPBS-TV’s mission is to educate, entertain and inform our two-nation audience through superior local and national content and media engagement in order to enhance the lives of those it serves. More information about WPBS is available at www.wpbstv.org, or by following WPBS on Twitter and Facebook. Download the mobile app at Google Play or the ITunes App Store.
About Snowtown Film Festival
Snowtown Film Festival is a two-day film festival organized to foster appreciation for the art of film-making and to encourage the development of independently produced films that celebrate our legendary Northern New York winters. The Snowtown Film Festival offers official film selections, and a juried film competition in downtown Watertown, NY.
Snowtown Film Festival provides a unique form of culturally-enriching entertainment in Northern New York, celebrating our long, cold winters through the medium of film. Visit them online at snowtownfilmfestival.com.
