Martinsburg Heritage Day--May 9--Films

FILMS FROM THE 1930S AT MARTINSBURG PUBLIC LIBRARY ON

 MARTINSBURG HERITAGE DAY, MAY 9

In the year 2000, some old film reels from the 1930s were discovered in the basement of the Martinsburg Public Library. The majority of the subjects contained on these films are of locations in Martinsburg and in the tri-county region.  The names of the photographers of the footage and of the donors of these films to the library are a mystery.  Because of the fragile condition of the films, their content has been transferred to a DVD to preserve the originals and to allow the DVD to be shown to public audiences.  The approximate dates of film footage are based on film manufacture dates found on the original three reels of film. 

Some of the highlights in this 25-minute film compilation include:  scenes of the ferry across the Potomac River at Shepherdstown in the late 1930s, a swimming hole in the north end of Martinsburg next to the railroad tracks along the Tuscarora Creek, the Gentry Brothers Circus train coming to Martinsburg in the1930s, Baltimore and Ohio Railroad scenes including a new streamline train coming into Martinsburg station (with the Roundhouse and railroad shop building in background), the Charles Town Race Track opening showing horse racing, swimming at Hillside Lake Park near Martinsburg, and scenes on the shore at Shepherdstown showing the bridges over the river and the Rumsey Monument in the 1930s.

The Martinsburg 1930s film will be shown continuously at the Martinsburg Public Library on Martinsburg Heritage Day, 

Saturday May 9, from 9 am – 4pm.