A screening of the documentary film “American Experience: Panama Canal” on a summer evening gives us the opportunity to show a film in The Fells new open-air Pavilion. This 90-minute film focuses on the building of the Panama Canal and gives context to the significance of the United States’ emergence as a global power. The film raises questions about the costs and benefits of this extraordinary engineering feat, including the loss of more than 5000 lives and rigid segregation of workers based on race. The film features “an extraordinary archive of photographs and footage, rare interviews with canal workers, and first-hand accounts of life in the Canal Zone.” The connection to The Fells is clear: As Secretary of State, John Hay wrote that in negotiations for the Panama Canal Treaty, he was instrumental “in getting the proper guaranties for jurisdiction over the Canal” We will lead a brief discussion, following the film.

This event is free and open to the public. Advance registration requested. To inquire or register, call 603-763-4789 x3. This program is made possible by a grant from New Hampshire Humanities.