Historicizing 9/11: New London (Documentary)

Connecticut College History Course historicizes 9/11 through the perspective of the New London community in a documentary, Historicizing 9/11: New London.

On Tuesday, May 8 at 7 pm, students at Connecticut College will make history. A project that began as a class assignment for students to interview New London residents about their experiences in 9/11 has evolved into the first-ever national documentary about the far-reaching impact of the terrorist attacks in the former whaling city.

Located over 200 miles away from New York City, New London seems removed from the onerous ruins and debris left by the attacks. Yet, Historicizing 9/11: New London reveals how ordinary people in New London from business owners to firemen remain haunted and confused by the terrorist attacks. Those interviewed represent various areas of New London’s culture and include Lebanese restaurant owner Vivian Torregrossa, Connecticut College Associate Dean for Community Learning Tracee Reiser, Lt. Jeffrey Rheaume of the New London Fire Department, and Captain Glenn Sulmasy and Commander Brigid Pavilonis of the United States Coast Guard Academy.

Recognizing that New London residents had a story to tell, members of Professor James Downs’ new course Historicizing 9/11 Internationally and Locally, interviewed dozens of residents of New London, and then began the arduous work of editing and producing a documentary.  “This project offers a rare opportunity for ordinary people’s lives to be captured in the archive,” says Downs, an associate professor in the History department. “Without this project, many of these people’s experiences, reactions, and history would be lost. The students have created a unique opportunity to leave a record of the present for the future.”

Thirty students completed this project, from conducting and transcribing interviews to editing and producing the full-length documentary to writing the press release and organizing the screening.

The film was sponsored by Connecticut College’s Holleran Center for Community Action and Public Policy. The event is open to the public and will take place in Silfen Auditorium on Tuesday, May 8 at 7 pm at Connecticut College. A brief reception will follow the event.