Pressroom

Nov 29 2009
Dec. 2nd Premiere Set for "Echoes of John Brown;" CVB Sponsors Documentary "Echoes of John Brown;" Historical Film Features Travelogue and Interviews With NPS Chief Historian

CVB Sponsors Documentary; “Echoes of John Brown;” Historical Film Features Travelogue; Film to Premiere on December 2nd 7pm at Bridge of Life Center in Hagerstown (Hagerstown, MD) – The Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is hosting the Hagerstown Premiere of "Echoes of John Brown." The documentary was filmed by Historical Entertainment during 2009, in Franklin County (Pennsylvania), Washington County (Maryland), and Jefferson County (West Virginia). The film was financially sponsored by the Hagerstown-Washington County CVB. The film includes a historical look at abolitionist John Brown, and the 1859 Raid on Harpers Ferry, said to have been the “Spark that Caused the Civil War.” A short preview of the documentary is available on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5MZ5OmZwzo. The premiere is scheduled at the Bridge of Life Church (formerly the Colonial Theater in Hagerstown on 14 South Potomac Street, built in 1914 and totally refurbished with state-of-the-art video and sound systems). According to Tom Riford, President and CEO of the Hagerstown-Washington County CVB, “This terrific film takes a detailed look at what happened here 150 years ago. Historical Entertainment did a great job recreating the sights and sounds of 1859, and the documentary includes little-known facts of John Brown’s Raid.” Riford said that the CVB financially supported the project, as part of the 150th Anniversary of John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry. For more information about the anniversary, see: www.johnbrownraid,org. In recognition of the events and activities surrounding the 150th Anniversary, the CVB was presented with the Maryland Cultural Heritage Tourism Award by Governor Martin O’Malley this month at the Maryland Tourism and Travel Summit. Tickets for the premiere are only $5 and anyone wishing to buy a DVD after the show will be able to do so for the reduced price of $15 ($5 off the regular price, limit 1 discount per ticket). This special pricing is only for those attending this showing. The showing will begin at 7 p.m. with limited seating available. For more information, contact Historical Entertainment to reserve seats in advance. The documentary is approximately 35-minutes in length, and includes a historical look at the events surrounding John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859. The documentary also includes a travelogue with places of historical interest in the area, which help explain the events of John Brown’s Raid. “Echoes of John Brown” Executive Producer: Russell E. Richards, Jr. Produced and Edited by Steven Devoney Directed by Russell E. Richards, Jr. Written by Sue Fedor Featuring interviews of National Park Service Historians Dennis Frye and Ted Alexander Additional Historical Research by Lt. Col. Robert A. Lynn Original Sketches by Michael E. Brown Additional Music by Susquehanna Travelers Production Assistance by Thomas Spruill Narrated by Tom Riford This video project is part of the ongoing commemoration of John Brown's historic raid on Harper's Ferry, October 16, 1859. The premiere will be held on the same date as the hanging of John Brown on Dec. 2, 1859 in Charlestown WV. Viewers will hear John Brown’s Raid brought to life when told by Chief Historian of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Dennis Frye, along with a detailed travelogue of places to visit in the Tri-State area, hosted by Chief Historian of the Antietam National Battlefield, Ted Alexander. The documentary is narrated by Tom Riford of the Hagerstown-Washington County CVB. Ted Alexander and Dennis Frye are scheduled to attend the premiere, and will be available to sign copies of the DVD for anyone wishing to have a personalized copy. Anyone who can not attend the Premiere but would still like to obtain a copy of the documentary can order it from the Historical Entertainment website at www.HETVFILM.Com. For more information, contact: Russell E. Richards, Jr CEO/President Historical Entertainment, LLC www.HETVFILM.Com 1-877-HE4-FILM 1-301-241-3350 Washington County is home to the Kennedy Farm, the site where John brown planned and staged the Raid on Harpers Ferry (www.johnbrown.org). Washington County is also home to 5 national parks, 8 state parks, more than 30 museums, and is ranked first in the State of Maryland for Retail Opportunities. For more information about Hagerstown-Washington County, see: www.marylandmemories.com. Washington County is part of the Maryland state-certified Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area (www.heartofthecivilwar.org), and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area (http://hallowedground.org). Washington County is also part of the Quad-State Tourism Coalition, a four-state tourism group along I-81. For more information, see: www.quadstate81.com. # # # #