billy ireland

Historic Woodland Park – An Eastside Neighborhood Story

www.woodlandparkfilm.org

Thursday June 25th at St. Philip Episcopal Church 166 Woodland Avenue in Columbus, Ohio

The doors will open at 6:00 p.m. Screening is at 6:30 p.m. Reception is at 7:30 p.m.

The film starts with the Nelson family, who settled the area in the early 1800s. It goes on to feature artists such as Emerson Burkhart, Billy Ireland and Omar Shaheed. The film talks about athletes such as the Nesser family who were instrumental in the formation of the NFL, famed Buckeye football star Chic Harley and Bill Willis who broke the color barrier in college and professional football.

The documentary explains the transformation of the neighborhood to an important African-American community in the 1950s, featuring such stories of the history of the Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA and the Isabelle Ridgway Care Center all the way to present day with residents who enjoy living in a more culturally diverse neighborhood.

Scott Spears and Christina Paolucci did the majority of the production with some assistance from other artists completing the work.