News Summary
A new documentary titled ‘Jonesville: When Sunflowers Fall’ will premiere at Western Kentucky University, showcasing the history of the once-prominent African American neighborhood of Jonesville. Directed by Josh Niedwick, the film highlights the community’s poignant past and the impact of urban renewal. Sponsored by WKU PBS and other local organizations, the premiere aims to engage the Bowling Green community in a conversation about preserving the legacy of Jonesville and understanding its historical significance.
Bowling Green – A significant documentary titled “Jonesville: When Sunflowers Fall” will premiere on Thursday evening at Western Kentucky University (WKU), highlighting the history of a once-prominent African American neighborhood known as Jonesville. The event will take place at WKU’s Jody Richards Hall Auditorium, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and the screening scheduled from 6 to 7 p.m.
The documentary runs for one hour and is directed by Josh Niedwick. It illuminates the poignant history of Jonesville, a predominantly Black neighborhood that was razed in the 1950s and early 1960s as part of the Urban Renewal Movement, which paved the way for WKU’s expansion. The production of the documentary has seen contributions from community members who served as producers, including Alice Gatewood Waddell, Akisha Townsend Eaton, and David Greer, all of whom have personal ties to Jonesville.
This unveiling is sponsored by WKU PBS, the Kentucky Museum, and the Kentucky Folklife Program, and is hosted by the Jonesville Reconciliation Workgroup. This group was established by WKU President Tim Caboni in 2022 in response to ongoing issues related to the dismantling of the Jonesville community. The documentary aims to raise awareness about the historical significance of Jonesville as well as its legacy in Bowling Green and beyond.
Director Josh Niedwick has stressed the importance of preserving community histories that risk being forgotten, emphasizing the adverse impact that the loss of Jonesville has had on many current residents of Bowling Green. The urgency of sharing these narratives has been amplified by the passing of Angela Townsend, a notable community member who lived in Jonesville, on March 26. With the number of remaining residents decreasing, the documentary serves as a valuable tool for documenting their experiences and contributions.
Akisha Townsend Eaton, the daughter of Angela Townsend, articulated that the documentary serves as a platform to tell the story of a once-thriving African American community that is now largely overlooked. The film not only recounts the past but also seeks to provide skills to community members, enabling them to craft their own narratives moving forward, which distinguishes it from traditional documentary methods where control typically lies with journalists.
To complement the screening, WKU Public Media will offer tours of the WKU Academic Complex prior to the event, running from 3:30 to 5 p.m. These 20-minute tours will be conducted in small groups for a more personalized experience, allowing attendees to learn more about the media station’s role in the community.
The production of “Jonesville: When Sunflowers Fall” is a concerted effort to document and preserve the legacy of Jonesville, providing a platform for the voices of those directly impacted by its history. The documentary looks to foster an understanding of the significance of Jonesville in the context of Bowling Green’s broader narrative, encouraging dialogue about community memories that deserve recognition and commemoration.
The premiere event represents a significant opportunity for the Bowling Green community to engage with its history and reflect on the implications of growth and change, particularly in the context of urban renewal and its lasting effects on neighborhoods and their residents.
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Additional Resources
- BG Daily News: Jonesville Documentary to Have Thursday Screening
- Wikipedia: Jonesville
- WNKY: The Journey of Jonesville
- Google Search: Jonesville Kentucky
- WBKO: Hometown Hero Johnalma Barnett
- Google Scholar: Urban Renewal Jonesville
- Spectrum News 1: Jonesville Exhibit at Kentucky Museum
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Jonesville Kentucky
- BG Daily News: Angela Lewis Townsend Alexander
- Google News: Jonesville documentary
