‘Memories of Montpelier’ to Be Screened at Green Mountain Film Festival

March 26, 2009

The history documentary “Memories of Montpelier” by Johnson State College Professor Bill Doyle has been selected by the Green Mountain Film Festival.

The free screening will be at Montpelier City Hall, Thursday, March 26, at 11 a.m. It will be followed by a public discussion with some of the people interviewed for the film.

“Memories of Montpelier” is the fifth history documentary produced by Professor Bill Doyle, in collaboration with Waterbury videographer Vince Franke.

Green Mountain Film Festival director Don Rae said the film selection was an obvious choice. “We thought this would be a good opportunity to show this film at the festival because we knew it would be of great interest to the local community,” he said.

Montpelier Mayor Mary Hooper said: “I have to say I liked the film so much, I was showing it on Town Meeting Day. I have to say I think it’s a fabulous film that really captures what Montpelier once was, and I think it’s great that people can see this little gem.”

Doyle, who is also a senator for Washington County, noted: “We had over 200 people come to the first two screenings at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library, and I’m very pleased the film has been selected for the Green Mountain Film Festival.

“I am grateful to all the people we interviewed who made this such a wonderful documentary,” Doyle added.

“Memories of Montpelier” blends interviews and images of local people in the first half of the 20th century. More than 200 photographs provide a fascinating visual record of life in the city.

The other four documentaries Doyle has completed, “Life in Chittenden County,” “Life in Lamoille County,” “Life in Franklin County” and “Life in Orleans County” were produced by students in Doyle’s Vermont History and Government class at Johnson State College, also in collaboration with videographer Vince Franke.

Future films to be produced this year include “Life in Grand Isle” and “Life in Washington County,” and a film relating to Barre.

“With the last weather storm coinciding with the premiere at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library, I was very surprised to see so many people come out to see the documentary,” said videographer Vince Franke. “The response was great and I was pleased to hear the positive comments afterwards. I felt honored that the festival chose to include the Montpelier film. It’s a testament to all the wonderful people we interviewed and the stories they shared,” Franke added.

Local people interviewed for the documentary include: Lola Aiken, Raelene Aldrich, Jean Balham, Rosendo Cueto, Willis Bryan, Wes Cate, Landale Edson, Petie Ferris, Olive Franzi, Manuel Garcia, Glen Goodall, and Paul Guare.

Copies of the film will be sent to libraries and schools in Washington County.

An 8-minute excerpt of the documentary can be viewed online at: http://www.peregrineproductions.com/programs.html

DVD copies of the documentary cost $15 and are available online at: www.peregrineproductions.com; or from Professor Doyle, tel: 223-2851. All proceeds of the film will be donated to the Montpelier Historical Society. Checks should be made out to the Montpelier Historical Society.

Supporters of the documentary include the Montpelier Historical Society, Johnson State College, and Professor Bill Doyle.

For more information, contact Professor Doyle at: 371-7898.