From coverage of its early settlement in the mid-1700s to its heyday as a commercial hub, the documentary The Current of Time: An Oral History of Weldon premiered today at Halifax Community College.
Produced by Martin Brown of Treehouse Productions, the documentary examines the town—its rail history, its Jewish community, its growth—and efforts to revitalize the once thriving town.
The town’s history is told through the voices of 30 storytellers and will soon debut on Weldon in Action’s YouTube channel.
Brown grew up in Anderson, South Carolina, a small town. “There were a lot of similarities between my experience and the experiences here,” he said following the premiere. “And also differences. The stories that people tell about their lives and that collective experience is so important in how we shape our vision of the world.”
He said the storytellers told their stories “in a way that is honest, presents the challenges, presents a good side, but does it in a way that builds the community as opposed to tearing it down.”
Brown walked away from the film with an appreciation of the storytellers. “History was one thing,” he said. “But once we got to the chapters where people were talking about their lived experience, about their childhood, about integration, about where Weldon is now and where the hopes for Weldon are in the future, I found those portions of the film more interesting.”
A seasoned filmmaker whose work has appeared on A&E, 60 Minutes, and more, Brown said he wasn’t sure about his expectations concerning the Weldon project. “It’s been really wonderful and the kind of perfect project for where I’m at in my career.”
The project came about through a grant from the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to support the recording of the town’s history as part of America 250 NC. It supported the development of a video series that highlights the town’s history, geography, historical context, people and events that shaped the community from colonial times to the present.
The title of the film, which is divided into eight chapters, is a reference to the Roanoke River and how it shaped the town.
“It is an honor to gather with you for this occasion and an opportunity to celebrate the voices, memories and a living legacy for the town of Weldon and its citizens,” said HCC President Patrena Benton Elliott. “Today we’re here not just to remember history, but to preserve it.”
Hugh Credle, who became the first Black mayor of Weldon four years ago, said, “We’re trying to restore and revitalize.”
Tammy Boone, superintendent of Weldon City Schools said, “The film has been very enlightening for me because of the rich history and the legacy that’s represented … It’s about showing resilience and pride … and it’s about the legacy that continues to inspire greatness from generation to generation.”
The event was sponsored by Bernard Kyle in memory of Francis Kyle, a pastor, historian, and Weldon resident who lost his life in a motorcycle crash.
In a letter read by Alice Irby of Weldon in Action, Bernard wrote, “This event holds a special place in our hearts as we approach the first anniversary of Francis’s passing … Weldon was a profoundly meaningful place for Francis. It was here that his three great passions came together and flourished — his love for history, his commitment to the community, and his deep spirituality.”
Bert Kittner, one of the storytellers in the film, said, “I just want to say how thankful I am to have worked with Alice and Martin who are so exceptional.”
Charisma Daniel, another storyteller, said, “Being able to see the story come to light this way … is amazing and beautiful.”
Gentry Smith, also a storyteller, said, “What a wonderful thing we’ve all experienced this morning … When you take ownership the pride will come along with that.”
