Ashland – The Ashland Documentary Film & Discussion Series will present films from The Mechanical Universe Sept. 10 and, in partnership with the Ashland Historical Commission, The Rise and Fall of Penn Station Sept. 22. The Documentary Film & Discussion Series is held at 7-9 p.m. at the Ashland Library, Community Room, 66 Front St.
The Mechanical Universe: This Annenberg Learner course features top scientists from many fields. Two 30-minute films will explore waves and angular momentum, the cross product of the radius vector and momentum.
The Rise and Fall of Penn Station: Mighty Penn Station fell in 1963 because New Yorkers didn’t understand the importance of saving their own cultural identity, their own architectural history. The 60s were very much an “out with the old, in with the new” mentality. What mattered was chasing modernity and implementing efficiency! No one will miss that cavernous marble and granite, those carved angels, those columns. Wrong!
The savage destruction of their one-of-a-kind architectural palace slapped New Yorkers awake. They united to form the Landmarks Preservation Commission, which triggered cities and town all over the United State to cherish their own historic buildings and led to the creation of the National Historic Preservation Act.
Local historic preservation is just as important as national historic preservation. Saving local architecture helps us save ourselves. Understanding our own history, seeing the places where local history took place, connects us to the place we call home.
The Ashland Documentary Film & Discussion Series meets every 2nd Thursday and 4th Tuesday of the month for an in-depth look at important topics of our day. The moderated discussions are often lively and thought provoking. All points of view are welcomed. For more information, call the library at 508-881-0134 or visit www.friendsoftheapl.com.
