Documentary recounts history of Glocester

GLOCESTER - Glocester's history, from the first interactions between the colonists and the Nipmucs in the 17th century to the 20th-century demise of trolley service in Chepachet, is a long story, according to filmmakers Betty and Carlo Mencucci.

The Mencuccis set out to make a single film about the town's history at the behest of the Glocester Heritage Society and found they will need two separate documentaries to tell Glocester's story.

"It's an in-depth journey through Glocester's history, beginning with the native people and early settlers," said Carlo Mencucci, a retired electronics technician in the video production department at the Community College of Rhode Island.

"It describes the area when it was just a wild land called 'the Outlands,' or 'the land west of the Seven Mile Line,' and how it evolved into a thriving center of commerce when the Great Country Road, now Route 44, was built."

The 1 hour and 50 minute documentary, called "West of the Seven Mile Line - A History of Glocester," will be shown free to the public at Ponaganset High School auditorium Saturday, Nov. 14, from 7 to 9 p.m., and again Sunday, Nov. 22 at Glocester Town Hall from 3 to 5 p.m.

The award-winning, Burrillville-based filmmakers have made three historical documentaries, the most recent to celebrate Burrillville's 200th birthday in 2006.

Carlo and Betty said that their newest endeavor, the Glocester history, was a challenging but rewarding labor of love.

They had a lot of help from a number of local residents, including historian and author Edna Kent.

Carlo explained that the film reveals the difficulties Glocester residents faced and the sacrifices they made during the Revolutionary War, and how the eyes of the world were on Chepachet during the Dorr Rebellion.¬  It also takes a tour through the villages of Glocester, including Harmony, Spring Grove, Cherry Valley, Clarkville, Skeeterville, West Glocester, and Williams Mills, he said.

After working on the project with her husband for three years, Betty, a retired computer programming teacher and current president of the Burrillville Historical & Preservation Society, said the two realized that Glocester's history is so rich and varied, "We couldn't tell the whole story in just one episode, and so this is the first of two episodes," she said.

"We acquired so much information and so many pictures that we decided to make two episodes to tell the story.¬ We expect to complete the second episode by next summer," added Carlo.

Betty said that the documentary incorporates aerial photography shot with help from pilot Buster Steere, as well as footage of an interview with the late Carol Palavra, a Nipmuc Tribal Elder and historian who was known by her Nipmuc name, Red Sunset. Also included is an excerpt recitation from a diary belonging to a Tory who was "banished" to the outlands of Glocester during the Revolution.

"We have extensive raw materials that are all now archived on disks that we will be giving to the Glocester Heritage Society," said Betty.

Edna Kent, a well-known authority on local history and author of "Glocester - The Way Up Country: A History, Guide and Directory," said she is thrilled with the Mencuccis' documentary and was delighted to participate in its creation.

"This is wonderful for people who have just moved to Glocester and who want to learn more about their new hometown. It's also for people who grew up here and want to reconnect with their heritage," said Kent.

Even expatriates will benefit from the Mencuccis' hard work. "I have a friend who is a teacher in Salt Lake City who is on fire to get a copy of this," Kent said.

Betty said she has enjoyed exploring the town and shooting footage that was used to bring the town's story to life. "We traipsed through every nook and cranny in the town," said Betty.

"It didn't matter if we only needed a 5-second shot. We'd go out of our way to get it rather than use footage we already have if going the extra mile would make the film better."

Carlo added, "This project has taken us to many different parts of Glocester.¬ We have hiked through much of the Land Trust properties.¬ We have explored old farms, cellar holes, mill ruins, ponds and streams, hills and ledges and have met and talked to many interesting people along the way."

One of the biggest rewards, the couple agreed, is, "Witnessing the video, photos, music, and narration come alive and flow beautifully to create the story," Carlo said.

Having already experienced "opening night" with the three previous documentaries, Carlo added, "It is also rewarding at a premiere when people come and enjoy it and talk to us after the show."

DVDs may be ordered for gift giving and will be available for sale at the Job Armstrong Store, 1181 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, during the Peddlars' Faire on Saturday, Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and at Candlelight Shopping on Dec. 3, 10 and 17, Main Street, Chepachet, from 6 to 9 p.m.¬ Call 568-8967.