El Paso History Summit March 16th

NEWS RELEASE              

February 13, 2013                              

FROM: El Paso History Radio Show

PO Box 221466   El Paso TX 79913

Contact:    Jackson Polk    915-833-8700

                Bernie Sargent  915-581-7920

                Sara Belger       915-244-6487

     First-ever El Paso History Summit to be held March 16

Launch of ‘I Am El Paso’ campaign 

Contribute family photos for new Digital Wall

The El Paso History Summit is free and open to the public. It features screenings of local documentaries, a Town Hall meeting about local history, and an opportunity for El Pasoans to share their history with the community.

The Summit will also mark the launch of the “I Am El Paso” campaign. The public is invited to record their "I Am El Paso" testimony in a 1-2 minute video clip, and to bring up to 10 old photos to be scanned and included on the Digital Wall that will be installed at the El Paso Museum of History.

Photos will be scanned on site and returned to the owners, who will also receive a disc with digital copies of their personal photos. Photos should be at least 25 years old and have all persons identified, if possible, as well as the date and place. The scanning and the CD are free and are offered on a first come, first served basis.

At 1 p.m., the History Summit will present the world premiere of segments from Capstone Productions’ latest documentary, "The Last Tour of the El Paso Smelter." After three years of filming the demolition of the former Asarco site, the first installment of the El Paso Smelter documentary series covers the history and construction of one of the world’s tallest smokestacks. The film includes a tour inside of the stack, a review of the construction of the stack, and footage from several climbs up the stack.

At 2:30 p.m., there will be a Town Hall meeting on El Paso history with special invited guests state Sen. Jose Rodriguez and El Paso County Historical Commission chairman, Bernie Sargent. The Town Hall will be moderated by hosts of "The El Paso History Radio Show," Jackson Polk and Melissa Sargent. The Town Hall will be video recorded for a TV special on YouTube. Attendees can ask questions about El Paso's history, share their thoughts about what should be done at local and state levels regarding our local history, and contribute topics for discussion.

Other events include a viewing of clips from Capstone Production’s "El Paso’s Mission Trail" documentary, and giveaways of videos and other door prizes throughout the day.

Local history organizations are invited to provide information about their activities, events, volunteer opportunities and general information.

All events are free to the public, but donations will be accepted to benefit the El Paso Mission Trail Association. 

Snacks, hot dogs and hamburger will be available for purchase.  The Scenic View Ballroom is a standalone building located behind First Presbyterian Church at 1340 Murchison near Brown Street in Central El Paso.

This free summit is hosted by "The El Paso History Radio Show," El Paso County Historical Commission, El Paso Mission Trail Association and El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Trail Association, CARTA.

For more information, visit www.elpasohistorysummit.org or contact Jackson Polk at (915) 833-8700,   jpolk@elp.rr.com Sara Belger at (915) 244-6487, sbelger13@gmail.com or Bernie Sargent at (915) 581-7920,  countyhistory@sbcglobal.net

EL PASO HISTORY SUMMIT Schedule

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Scenic View Ballroom, First Presbyterian Church, 1340 Murchison near Brown Street

Noon - 6 p.m. - Record a 1-2 minute video clip about your history for the "I Am El Paso"campaign to go on the new Digital Wal at the El Paso Museum of History.

- Bring 10 old  photos to be scanned and included on the Digital Wall. 

    

1 p.m. - World premiere of segments from "The Last Tour of the El Paso Smelter" by Capstone Productions Inc.

2:30 pm - Town Hall meeting on El Paso history with invited guests El Paso state Sen. Jose Rodriguez and El Paso County Historical Commission chairman Bernie Sargent, moderated by Jackson Polk and Melissa Sargent of "The El Paso History Radio Show"

4 - 6 p.m. - View video clips about El Paso history on the big screen. Free scanning of pictures continues, plus recording “I Am El Paso” clips