Professional Motion Picture Production and Distribution NEWS
Filmmakers and Central Massachusetts Preservationists Unite to Break Ground
By Staff
posted Apr 16, 2010, 16:36
Rebuilding the famed Lancaster garrison on its original site.
April 18th Groundbreaking to Celebrate Rich Town Heritage and Future of
Lancaster as a Prominent Cultural, Educational and Tourism Destination
(Lancaster, MA) Producers of the "The Captive," a feature film in
development based on the life of renowned 17th century settler Mary Rowlandson,
a group of Central Massachusetts preservationists and local business leaders
have partnered to rebuild the famed Lancaster garrison on its original site.
On Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 2:00PM EDT, a ground-breaking ceremony will be
held at the historic site adjacent to the Thayer Homestead located at 438 Main
Street in South Lancaster. The event will commemorate the sudden destruction
of the garrison and the Town of Lancaster in 1675 during the strained cultural
relations of King Philip's War, and, additionally, will celebrate the future
of Lancaster and surrounding areas such as Clinton, Sudbury, Boylston, Bolton,
Wenham, Northfield, and Princeton. The announcement was made by Wayne Hazen,
Professor of Art, Atlantic Union College, and producer of "The Captive."
"We're delighted to be partnering with the community in bringing this
vital aspect of our shared history with New England Native Americans to life,"
said Hazen. Nathan Nazario, co-Producer of "The Captive," added, "It's
our hope that the completed garrison house will be an enriching focal point
that facilitates cultural understanding, education and serves as an attraction
for local tourism."
"The exciting collaboration to rebuild this historic landmark is a positive
effort to promote the significance of Lancaster and the surrounding areas as
well as our future economic growth," observed Orlando Pacheco, Lancaster
Town Administrator. "We are thrilled at the vision and the initiative of
our business leaders and community activists in making this long-awaited dream
a reality."
"It is tremendously satisfying to see the commitment of the Lancaster
community and its friends to preserving the rich heritage of the area,"
said State Representative Harold P. Naughton, Jr. "This is an important
chapter in American history that needs to be shared with our children and generations
to come."
Sponsored by individual preservationists and local business leaders, construction
on the garrison is provisionally scheduled to begin June 14, 2010 and is expected
to continue through November, 2010. The house will be built to circa 17th century
specifications with contemporary adjustments to meet compliance standards and
the requirements of a facility open to the public. Local businessman Steve Quill,
architect Peter Quinn and construction supervisor Dennis Sabol will oversee
the construction.
Scheduled to speak at the groundbreaking ceremony are State Representative
Harold P. Naughton, Jr., Lancaster Town Administrator Orlando Pacheco, Massachusetts
Historical Commission Chairman Michael Sczerzen and Wayne Hazen, Professor of
Art, Atlantic Union College. Sponsors of the groundbreaking event include The
Chocksett Inn, Ristorante Via Alto 27 and Country Garden Florist & Gifts.
Hazen is the author of the recently published Illustrated Version of the Captivity
and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson, a graphic novel of the renowned Lancaster
settler who was kidnapped during a Native American raid during King Philip's
War in 1675. Rowlandson was eventually ransomed and wrote an autobiography that
became a classic first-hand account of colonial history. Passionate about sharing
this remarkably inspiring story of faith and courage, Hazen's graphic novel
relied on Rowlandson's account to create accurate, evocative illustrations of
her hostage experience. Hazen's vision for "The Captive" is to provoke
audiences to consider the causes of King Philip's War, where Pilgrims who had
known persecution in England for their spiritual beliefs knowingly pushed the
Indians out of their land.
Production on "The Captive" is projected to begin in 2012.
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