Discovering Alexandria: The 20th Century Premieres December 1 on WETA TV 26
The conclusion of the documentary trilogy captures the evolution of Alexandria, Virginia from the 1900’s to present-day
A new film produced by WETA, the flagship public broadcasting station in the nation’s capital, examines the historic city of Alexandria, Virginia, during the rapid cultural and technological changes of the 20th century. Discovering Alexandria: The 20th Century premieres Thursday, December 1, 2016, at 8pm on WETA TV 26 and WETA HD. “The rich history of Alexandria has had a notable impact on life in Northern Virginia,” WETA president and CEO Sharon Percy Rockefeller notes, “As we continue to explore our local neighborhoods, WETA is proud to highlight the prominent role the city has played within Greater Washington.”
Discovering Alexandria: The 20th Century explores the people, places, and events that defined the remarkable port city of Alexandria, VA, during an era of industrial change and social progress. Stories include the ammunition-to-art evolution of the Torpedo Factory; the construction of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial; the heyday of Potomac Yard, one of the busiest railroad hubs on the Eastern Seaboard; and the significance of the Barrett Branch Library, site of one of the country’s first sit-in protests. Fondly remembering notable and favorite locations past and present, Discovering Alexandria: The 20th Century discovers the iconic sites that helped to shape the city we know today.
Following two previous documentaries Discovering Alexandria: The Early Years; and Martyrs, Mayhem & Martial Law: Life in Civil War Alexandria, this latest film joins the WETA portfolio of local productions created exclusively for television viewers in Greater Washington.
A production of WETA TV 26, Discovering Alexandria; The 20th Century features research and archival footage courtesy of the Alexandria Library and additional city resources, the Library of Congress, and the National Archives. Featured local historians and experts in the film include Jim Mackay of The Lyceum; Lance Mallamo of the Office of Historic Alexandria; Audrey P. Davis of the Alexandria Black History Museum; Susan Hellman of Carlyle House Historic Park; and author Ted Pulliam.
Visit weta.org/alexandria for additional information.
