Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

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November 25, 2007

Film to capture storied history of Pocahontas

By CHARLES OWENS

POCAHONTAS, Va. — A film crew is returning to Pocahontas this week to help chronicle the rich history of the town through interviews with area residents for a DVD and PBS documentary.

However, in order to make the DVD and upcoming documentary a success, area residents are asked to take part in the filming that will be held Thursday and Friday, U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va., said.

“There is considerable interest in the heritage of Pocahontas, and this documentary will showcase the structures, citizens and historical legacy which characterizes the town,” Boucher said. “I encourage any interested Pocahontas resident to share their memories, pictures and their historical memorabilia for the production of this exciting project.”

Boucher said the DVD and documentary will be produced by independent filmmaker Dan McCoig.

An earlier documentary about the town available for viewing on the Internet through YouTube has already had about 80,000 hits, according to Pocahontas Town Treasurer Greg Jones.

Amy Flick, who is helping to coordinate the documentary filming through Historic Pocahontas Inc., said residents can call her at (276) 945-9417, or Nancy Barbour at (276) 945-9002, or just show up Thursday and Friday at the filming location on 124 Waters Street in downtown Pocahontas

“It’s not just Pocahontas residents today,” Flick said. “If they have ever lived in Pocahontas, or if they have lived in the outskirts of Pocahontas, or if they have ever taken the train over here to come to the theater or to go shopping. Or if they remember Pocahontas back when it was booming, if they would just come and share their story. If they would have any pictures of old coal miners, we would love to have them. We are just trying to collect some oral history on the coal miners.”

Boucher said the producers of the documentary hope to hear personal memories about Pocahontas from area residents, as well as their thoughts on the future of Pocahontas. The interviews will be complied on DVD for use by Historic Pocahontas and some will be used for the PBS documentary. Boucher said officials also are looking for old photos and home movies, particularly of coal miners in Pocahontas, to help tell the story of the town.

“Our history is our future,” Flick said. “Pocahontas is too tough to die.”

Jones said it is critical for Pocahontas to record its history.

“The town of Pocahontas is certainly unique with its cultural history,” Jones said. “We want to have it documented to help preserve our history.”

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com

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