The film will be screened at the historic Mishler Theatre at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 15.

A free after-party will be held at 8:30 p.m. at Levity Brewing Company, where a special “Historical Headscratchers” trivia night will allow local residents to put their Blair County knowledge to the test.

Movie tickets are available at the Mishler Theatre’s box office or at www.mishlertheatre.org. Tickets are $25 plus box office fees. All proceeds will support the Blair County Historical Society.

Since its debut in April 2024, the film has been recognized in the film festival circuit. It won Best Historical Film at the New York International Film Awards, Best Indie Feature at the Los Angeles International Cinema Awards and was nominated for Best Historical/Cultural Feature at the Mid-Atlantic Emmys.

Tickets to “Blair County: A People’s History” are available at the Mishler Theatre’s box office or at www.mishlertheatre.org. Tickets are $25 plus box office fees. Courtesy photo

Director Mark Frederick brought home laurels for Best First-Time Director from both the New York and Los Angeles Film Awards.

When it first premiered a year ago, the film was shown to sold-out crowds at the Mishler.

“I was shocked that the premiere sold out,” Director Mark Frederick said. “Days and weeks after, so many people approached us to ask if it was going to play again. As a result, we organized six smaller screenings throughout Blair County and beyond. Yet, the enthusiasm remained, and with America250 approaching, I think citizens will be eager to revisit their history. I’m proud that our film can be their way of doing so.”

The 90-minute documentary takes viewers on a journey through centuries of local history, highlighting the diverse individuals and pivotal events that shaped both Blair County and America. This monumental task was something that Frederick and his production team at Brush Mountain Media did not take lightly.

“It was certainly difficult to consolidate more than 250 years worth of history into less than 90 minutes. We decided early on not to present a holistic overview of the county,” Frederick said. “We hyper-focused on historical anecdotes instead, summarizing what a community is and how its citizens maneuvered local and national events. The themes are not just specific to Blair County, but universal to many communities across America.”

Frederick

Defined by geography, fueled by industry, forged by war and remade through innovation, Blair County is a microcosm of the evolving national experience. The film shares the saga of Indigenous peoples, settlers, soldiers, industrialists and everyday citizens who shaped local society. Their story is one of trial, tragedy and triumph.

“It was important for me to showcase our local history, not through the perspective of prominent figures, but instead through the eyes of everyday common people,” Frederick said. “It is ‘a people’s history’ after all. I believe this bottom up approach to storytelling is more personable for movie-goers and more relatable to contemporary citizens.”

This film traces the cultural influences of Central Pennsylvania’s rich heritage through reenactments, historic photos, archival footage and interviews with local historians. Frederick believes these components breathe life into dramatic stories of the past.

“This film was made by Blair Countians for Blair Countians. It was local funders, artists, collectors, historians and museums who helped us,” Frederick said. “Our extras were all local actors, reenactors and volunteers. We also had so many knowledgeable interviewees, and their creative commentary is what our narrative was built around.”

Frederick thinks Blair County still stands at a crossroads. “I continue to hope that our film acts as a wake-up call for those who fail to recognize or understand that historic preservation can build a better future,” Frederick said. “It serves as a rallying cry for the community. We can be boastful of our history, but nostalgic reminiscing only gets us so far. It does not result in action or change.”

“Citizens need to support the Blair County Historical Society and other organizations through volunteerism and membership,” Frederick said. “If you are unable to do that, visit these historic sites. That is the easiest way of preserving our heritage.”

“Historic preservation has proven to bring tourism and help economies. Encourage local, regional and state politicians to fund places like the Baker Mansion History Museum,” Frederick said. “Our historic buildings and our ancestors cannot speak for themselves, so we must speak for them. This is the main driving force behind our film.”