When history and inspiration collide, great things happen. And so, when Jennifer Burton and Julie Dobrow, founders of the “Half the History” project at Tufts University, heard the amazing story of Concord’s Ellen Garrison, they knew they had found the perfect subject for their project series, which places a spotlight on the incredible achievements of women and their important contributions to society.
Ellen Garrison: Scenes From an Activist Life portrays one such inspirational story At the young age of 12, Ellen chose to march in Concord’s 1835 bicentennial parade. She was the only black child known to do so. As a young adult, Ellen became a schoolteacher dedicated to educating newly freed African Americans. She also served as a powerful activist around local and national demands for civil rights for all people.
Ellen was the first person to challenge the Civil Rights Act of 1866 in court, after she was forcibly ejected from a segregated waiting room in a Baltimore train station. She carefully documented the experience to support a petition to the court for her rights. Although the Maryland court dismissed her case, Ellen’s bravery blazed a trail for civil rights at an important moment in history.
Julie and Jennifer set out to tell the story of Ellen’s impact on the world through film. The project brought together Tufts students studying disciplines ranging from costume design, to child development, to computer science.
Actor Shy’Kira Allen, Poet Sam Williams, and Pasadena city leader Veronica Jones celebrate the life of Ellen Garrison at a Concord event in April.
| ©Voyager PublishingRecreating a 19th century parade with more than 100 cast members in modern day Concord is no easy task. But the community here eagerly jumped in to help support such a worthy project. Production took place all around the town – from the School of Philosophy (at the Louisa May Alcott Orchard House) to the Concord Armory to the Minute Man National Historical Park. That required a complex web of permitting, location set up, moving equipment around, coordinating actors and costumes, and even feeding a large team. All of that was done by the students, creating a real-world experience that would make a deep impression on their education.
“So many people and organizations were incredibly helpful as we put this idea together. From historian Bob Gross to the teams at the Concord Museum and at The Robbins House. The Concord Players, Beth Norton (music director at Concord’s First Parish Church) who wrote the film score, and the cast of the Thoreau walking play were all involved. Jan Turnquist at Orchard House, the National Park Service, the team at the Armory, and even members of local Minute Man companies, and so many others were integral to the production. We are truly grateful,” said Jennifer.
“Watching history come alive is a deeply rewarding part of what we do,” said Julie. “To film the scene recreating the meeting of the Concord female anti-slavery society at The Robbins House - using words pulled from documented sources that these amazing women truly spoke – was a powerful experience. We are honored to be able to share the story of Ellen Garrison with the world. She truly exemplified what it means to stand up for your rights and for the rights of others.”
The first screening of the film took place at Concord’s Umbrella Arts Center on June 8, 2024. For more information, or to see a trailer of the film, please visit HalfTheHistory.org
