CONTRIBUTORSThe Roberts Settlement Documentary was made possible by a generous grant received from the Indiana Humanities Council (IHC), a matching grant from Hamilton County Tourism, Inc., and contributions from the Roberts Settlement Organization. In addition, the support our organization received from Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, the Indiana Historical Society, Stonycreek Farm, Clover Lane Media, Deliberate Media, and numerous volunteer hours from Roberts Settlement descendants also made this film project possible.
The Roberts Settlement Organization wishes to thank current and Emeritus Indiana University History Professors Claude Clegg, Ph.D., and James Madison, Ph.D., respectively; and Hamilton County Historian David Heighway for their on-camera interviews that provide valuable insights and perspectives regarding Roberts Settlement and its place in U.S., Indiana, and Hamilton County history. |
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SPECIAL THANKS
Last, but certainly not least, the members of Robert Settlement wish to thank Stephen A. Vincent, Ph.D., for the energy and passion he has put forth over the last 30 years researching and writing about the history of the Beech and Roberts settlements. Vincent’s book, Southern Seed, Northern Soil, is the basis of our documentary, but more importantly it is a lasting historical record of African-American pioneers who came to Indiana beginning in the early 1800s and their role in the cultural development of our local communities.
WHY TELL THE ROBERTS SETTLEMENT STORY?
Hamilton County, like much of Central Indiana, is currently undergoing rapid demographic, social, and cultural change as the greater Indianapolis metropolis expands. The county’s cultural heritage, including that of Roberts Settlement and surrounding communities, is less well known to current residents than it was to previous generations. While Southern Seed, Northern Soil has thoroughly documented Roberts Settlement’s history for the scholarly community, a short documentary following Southern Seed’s larger themes and tailored specifically for the general public is intended to reach a much broader audience of all ages and interests.
This short film, together with community conversations, will visually help promote a broader and deeper understanding of Roberts Settlement’s history, rekindling interest and appreciation among those already familiar with its story while generating new interest and appreciation among an even larger group. Both the film short and accompanying community conversations also will provide the opportunity to explore larger historical contexts and themes, including those associated with frontier land as a means of moving ahead in nineteenth century America; the larger racial challenges facing “people of color” during the Roberts neighborhood’s history; and the strategies employed by those same settlers in their efforts to overcome the obstacles placed in their paths.
To reach out beyond the community conversations, the short film will also be available on YouTube. Teachers throughout the Midwest will be encouraged to use it in classrooms as the starting point for student conversations, coupled with thoughtful questions and other references to research, developed by the project team.
At the same time, the grant’s long-term goal is for the documentary short to help support funding for a professionally produced full-length documentary for airing in larger venues, at appropriate regional and national film festivals, and possibly for public broadcast. It will be available for national classroom distribution as well.
This short film, together with community conversations, will visually help promote a broader and deeper understanding of Roberts Settlement’s history, rekindling interest and appreciation among those already familiar with its story while generating new interest and appreciation among an even larger group. Both the film short and accompanying community conversations also will provide the opportunity to explore larger historical contexts and themes, including those associated with frontier land as a means of moving ahead in nineteenth century America; the larger racial challenges facing “people of color” during the Roberts neighborhood’s history; and the strategies employed by those same settlers in their efforts to overcome the obstacles placed in their paths.
To reach out beyond the community conversations, the short film will also be available on YouTube. Teachers throughout the Midwest will be encouraged to use it in classrooms as the starting point for student conversations, coupled with thoughtful questions and other references to research, developed by the project team.
At the same time, the grant’s long-term goal is for the documentary short to help support funding for a professionally produced full-length documentary for airing in larger venues, at appropriate regional and national film festivals, and possibly for public broadcast. It will be available for national classroom distribution as well.
Listed on the National Registry of Historical Places by the Department of Interior.