Historical drama screening set for city library
Uniontown Public Library will offer a film screening of the 18th century historical drama “To Secure This Land’ at 6:30 p.m. Monday. Ronald Potter will present his film free to the public in meeting Room C on the second floor of the library, located at 24 Jefferson St. “To Secure This Land’ is the story of George Washington in the area and was filmed last year at local sites.
A Perryopolis native now living in Moon Township, Allegheny County, Potter financed the filming of the play that was first produced for the stage in 1973 during Pioneer Days.
“It’s not an Academy Award-winner but it’s the best we can do,’ he joked. “I’m not ashamed of it. I hope the people who were involved are not ashamed of it.
“We hear about (Washington’s) military exploits in the beginning and then it goes into his personal connections – how it built the gristmill in Perryopolis and owned it until his death. It was operated by resident managers.’
Faith Willson, Potter’s former teacher, and Jay Christopher, who was a director at the White Barn Playhouse in Irwin, co-wrote the play and it was first presented at Frazier High School in 1973. Potter was part of the stage crew. He said the idea was to present the play annually during Pioneer Days.
“Strangely enough, it was never repeated,’ Potter said.
But he kept his script, and several years ago, he talked to Willson of his idea.
“I said if it was presented again, I’d like to record it on video. That was the last time I spoke with her before she passed away,’ he said.
Potter had worked in security for J&L Steel, later LTV Steel, in Aliquippa for 21 years and then took a job in video production for four years before the company closed. He went back to security before taking an early retirement but Potter has been volunteering for more than 20 years with a Moon Township community access television station.
“I had worked with various videos, mostly my own documentaries. They don’t take as much work. I adjusted the stage play to make it suitable for video presentation,’ he said.
Potter began working on “To Secure This Land’ last year, producing it out of his own pocket.
“I like to say I was too dumb to know I couldn’t do it, so I went ahead,’ he laughed. “We had 28 people from Fayette, Westmoreland, Washington and Allegheny counties and fellow members of the historical society helped me with shooting as the crew. We began last fall and finished before the weather changed.’
Potter filmed at Fort Necessity National Battlefield in Farmington, the restored gristmill in Perryopolis, a bed and breakfast in Leisenring and a park in Allegheny County. Over the winter, he worked on editing and has presented the film five or six times to the public.
“Uniontown Public Library is the last on the schedule for now, but I have said I would show it free of charge to groups,’ said Potter.
The film is one hour and five minutes long. Potter will say a few words before the presentation Monday.
He said he is very proud of the project and gives credit to everyone, particularly Hopwood resident Jack Goodstein, a retired California University of Pennsylvania professor and actor who served as narrator.
“He holds it all together,’ Potter said.
He added, “I’m grateful to everyone. We had quite a variety of theatrical experience by the cast. Some never acted before and some were in high school plays or community theater. It was a small miracle but we did get it completed. My goals were to present the work. I thought it was well written. It’s something that’s been forgotten for 30 years. Some people never knew it existed. I want it to be remembered.’
Groups that might like to show the film can call Potter at 412-264-8096.