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10/01/2020 12:01 AMIn times of great challenge, stories from our past can be a tremendous source of inspiration and hope. A great story can help us find common ground and a deeper appreciation for the power of love and community. It can unite us in our humanity and put us on a collective path forward. All of us at the Community Foundation of Middlesex County (CFMC) believe that right now is the right time for a great story. Imagine the story of an African-American family rising from slavery, triumphing over racism, producing the first African-American woman to obtain a pharmacy license from the State of Connecticut, and shaping the life of acclaimed author Ann Petry. Imagine bringing local history to life by helping the James family tell their story through the documentary film project, The James Family Letters.
The James Family Letters is a journey through five generations of letters, photographs, and faded documents, all preserved in old cookie and ice cream cone tins and boxes by Bertha James Lane, and discovered by Middletown resident Liz Petry upon the passing of her mother. As a writer, community volunteer, former journalist, and lawyer who grew up in Old Saybrook in a family of accomplished individuals, Petry knows a great story. Her mother, Ann Petry was an acclaimed author. Her great aunt Anna Louise James was the first African-American female pharmacist in Connecticut who ran the family business, the James Pharmacy in Old Saybrook, for many years.
When Liz Petry shared what she found with her cousins Ashley James and Kathryn Golden, they all saw more than family memorabilia. They saw local history and legacy, and knew this story needed to be shared. They decided to create a documentary film and partnered with CFMC as the project’s fiscal sponsor. CFMC is honored and privileged to provide support and ensure that this important story gets told.
The James Family Letters tells a remarkable story through the use of eloquent letters family members wrote to each other from the mid-19th into the 20th century. Interviews with prominent historians and scholars provide context and narrative on the themes presented. It is the story of one multi-generational family, yet it is the prism through which we can all view Connecticut life, community, and race relations from the post-Civil War era through the early 1900s. It is a story of family love and strength, providing lessons for us to create a better future for all.
Now in the second phase of film production, The James Family Letters is cause for celebration throughout Middlesex County. Designed for television with distribution through libraries, museums, community organizations, and digital Internet streams, the documentary is a true community project, made possible thanks to funding support from individuals and organizations near and far.
To help CFMC spread the word and keep the production on track, consider making a donation to the James Family Documentary Fund at CFMC. No gift is too small. Learn more about the project or other ways to help keep the past present by visiting MiddlesexCountyCF.org or by calling 860-347-0025.