The local legends, historical events, and neighborly anecdotes of Cumberland, Rhode Island are featured in the latest edition of Our Town - a Rhode Island PBS documentary series filmed entirely by town residents. Our Town: Cumberland premieres Wednesday, September 8 at 8 p.m.
Earlier this year, Rhode Island PBS invited friends and neighbors of Cumberland to become filmmakers, capturing stories of their own choosing for the documentary. These stories have been woven together in a visual tapestry of nostalgia, humor, enterprise, history, and even a surprise or two - representing life in town through the eyes of those who know and love it.
"We are excited to present these stories on behalf of our Cumberland volunteers," said David W. Piccerelli, president of Rhode Island PBS. "Beyond sharing these stories for local residents, all of our viewers will get a glimpse of the people, places, and stories that make Cumberland so special."
Among the stories that appear in the film is a segment about a local jeweler who discovered trace amounts of Cumberlandite - the state rock of Rhode Island - in his own backyard, and now incorporates the rock into his Etsy crafts.
Other segments include:
100 Years of Cadillac Mills: The building complex owned and operated by the Schwartz family once manufactured silk, broadcloth, and other textiles. The space contains more than a century of history within its walls.
Arnold Mills Parade and Road Race: The Arnold Mills Parade has been an Independence Day tradition since 1927. In this segment, learn why the event holds a special place in the hearts of so many Cumberland residents.
Caring for the Blackstone: Friends of the Blackstone, a community organization founded in 1990, has cleaned more than 25,000 tires out of the namesake river. Now merged with the Blackstone River Watershed Council, the group is dedicated to preserving local ecosystems and restoring one of the country’s most polluted waterways.
Coffee and Community: Phantom Farms is one of Cumberland’s coziest hangouts, including an apple orchard and a country store where customers can enjoy cider, baked goods, and coffee. Once known as a drinking and gambling spot, it is now a place for friends to gather – and a popular haunt in the fall.
Diamond Hill Boxing Legends: Cumberland is the unexpected home of a boxing gym where world-renowned fighters once trained. In this story, explore the family history of a lifelong Cumberland resident, whose Irish immigrant ancestors became successful boxers and later opened a gym of their own.
Explorer River Tours: Only one boat tour still teaches the history of the Blackstone River. In this segment, meet the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, an organization that has educated more than 400,000 students since 1993.
Gardening for Good: Franklin Farm is the only historical property owned by the town of Cumberland. On the farm, volunteers have grown more than 410,000 pounds of produce – much of which goes to food banks and soup kitchens. This segment explores a place where community members of all ages can learn about farming and gardening while getting reacquainted with nature.
Geddes Family Farm: The Geddes family immigrated to Cumberland in the late 1800s, buying a plot of land where their descendants still live today. Now, hear the story of their farm estate, where many of the original outbuildings have been restored or maintained.
Healing with Horses: Equi Evolution is a therapeutic, experiential learning program that fosters mental health and wellness through meaningful interaction with horses. Meet the founder of the program as she interviews clients, honoring both the agricultural history and future direction of Cumberland.
Honoring Lt. Robert Waugh: Cumberland resident Robert Turner Waugh was a Medal of Honor and Purple Heart recipient who died fighting for the United States during World War II. In this segment, a community veteran shares his story – honoring the life and legacy of a local hero.
Inside Scoop: As a free, weekly news outlet, the Valley Breeze is a rarity in local media. In a segment with the editor, learn how the newspaper combines investigative journalism with community news to keep readers well-informed.
Ski Valley: In decades past, many Cumberland residents flocked to Diamond Hill for skiing and other winter sports. This is the story of the filmmakers’ grandparents, who managed the original Ski Valley area and owned the first chair lift in the state.
The Cumberland Land Trust: The Cumberland Land Trust owns and preserves more than 660 acres of land in town, and manages an additional 213. In this segment, explore the trails and learn about the wildlife that calls these protected areas home.
The Monastery and Library: Located inside a former Trappist monastery, the Cumberland Public Library is one of the town’s most unique landmarks. This story recounts the history of the monastery and the devastating fire that led the monks to relocate. Today, guests can read and study among the preserved architecture, picnic in the park, or hike the surrounding trails.
About Our Town
Part community-builder, part culture catalog, part fundraiser, and part “day-in-the-life” video scrapbook, Our Town: Cumberland is the twelfth film in the Our Town series. The purpose of Our Town is to share the unique experiences, untold stories, and hidden gems of a Rhode Island town and its villages. Fostering connections between Rhode Island PBS and the local community, the stories are chosen, captured, and told by resident storytellers and videographers. Rhode Island PBS offers technical advice and then stitches the stories together in a one-hour film for broadcast.
Our Town: Cumberland is made possible in part by Navigant Credit Union, Blackstone River Theatre, and Cadillac Mills, LLC.
WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits over the air in high definition on digital 36.1; Cox 08 / 1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08 / 508HD, and Full Channel 08; Comcast 819HD and Verizon FiOS 18 / 518HD in MA; DirecTV 36, Dish Network 36. Live stream the full broadcast schedule at watch.ripbs.org/livestream.
