"Hillsdale in the 1930’s" film shows ‘swinging’ town, people

"Hillsdale in the 1930’s" film shows ‘swinging’ town, people

Clips from the Roecliff Jansen Historical film “Hillsdale in the 1930s - A Swinging Town” include: (left) the First United Methodist Church, Greek Revival with Romanesque detail, built in 1845 at the intersection of Route 22 & Route 23, Hillsdale: (center) a Methodist Church Picnic held at Prospect Lake in North Egremont, Mass.; and (right) the Roeliff Jansen Central School, a two-story Colonial Revival building that was constructed in 1931 by the Works Progress Administration.

Photo provided

The town and its people are the stars of the latest production of The Roeliff Jansen Historical Society’s 22 minute film “Hillsdale in the 1930’s — a Swinging Town.”

The rare footage from the day — mainly black and white with some color mixed in — was shot by an unknown amateur and given to then town historian Palmer Vincent, whose grandchildren Doug, Ron, and Sue Vincent DiClementine donated it to the society after having enjoyed it as children.

Hillsdale documentarians Julia Brandi and Marilyn Herrington and editor Elizabeth Wilder Elm then came together to create the film — their third collaboration for the Society. It was produced by Brandi, Harrington and Ron Vincent.

They highlighted images with music by the likes of Bing Crosby, the Dorsey Brothers and Irving Berlin to create not just a narrative of the town, but a sense of the moment during which, despite the economic challenges of the day, the “town flourished,” according to Lesley Doyle, current Society president.

Registration is already full for the film’s premier which will fittingly take place on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. at the Town Hall. The building is a major character in the town’s history, having been built in 1926 as the town library and serving since 2011 as the Town Hall.

A second showing will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7, at 6 p.m. at Roe-Jan Brewing Company, 32 Anthony Street, Hillsdale. That 1851 building was originally the site of the Hillsdale Mercantile Association and various stores and a shirt factory.

Registration for that event at swinginghillsdale@gmail.com was still open as of press time.

Following the unveiling, a silent version of the film will be looped there in its entirety as the audience dines on Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 6 and 7, and may be seen either at the Society’s website at roeliffjansenhs.org or the town’s site at hillsdaleny.com.

Latest News

Road crews start new sidewalk to Amenia's Beekman Park
Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — Sidewalk construction that will extend the town sidewalk to Beekman Park got underway this week along Route 44.

On Wednesday, August 20, the crew was checking excavation lines.

Keep ReadingShow less
Backgammon series begins at Hotchkiss Library of Sharon
Backgammon lessons kicked off Wednesday, Aug. 13, at The Hotchkiss Library. Instructor Roger Lourie works with Pam Jarvis of Sharon, while his wife, Claude, assists at a second board with Janet Kaufman of Salisbury.
Leila Hawken

In light of rising local interest in the centuries-old game of Backgammon, Wednesday afternoon backgammon instruction and play sessions are being offered at The Hotchkiss Library of Sharon. The first such session was held on Wednesday, Aug. 13, attracting two enthusiastic participants, both of whom resolved to return for the weekly sessions.

Expert player and instructor Roger Lourie of Sharon, along with his equally expert wife, Claude, led the session, jumping right into the action of playing the game. Claude chose to pair with Janet Kaufman of Salisbury, a moderately experienced player looking to improve her skills, while Lourie teamed himself with Pam Jarvis of Sharon, who was new to the game.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dugazon opens in Sharon, blending Southern roots with global style

Pantry essentials at Dugazon

Jennifer Almquist

You are invited to celebrate the opening of Dugazon, a home and lifestyle shop located in a clapboard cottage at 19 West Main Street, the former site of The Edward in Sharon. The opening is Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 11 a.m.

After careers in the world of fashion, Salisbury residents Bobby Graham and his husband, Matt Marden, have curated a collection of beautiful items that reflect their sense of design, love of hospitality, and Graham’s deep Southern roots. Dugazon is his maternal family name.

Keep ReadingShow less