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College film on Underground Railroad premieres May 5

Long before the term Border War was co-opted by sports enthusiast, it defined a period in Kansas history during which abolitionists — including those in Wabaunsee County — fought for the soul of this nation. That story is being captured in a new documentary produced by the College of Education titled “Dawn of Day: Stories from the Underground Railroad.

The hourlong premiere is scheduled at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 5, in the K-State Student Union’s Forum Hall. The event is free and open to the public, and the documentary will be available on the college’s website as a resource for educators.

The film was commissioned by Debbie Mercer, dean of the college, and it is narrated by Richard Pitts, executive director of the Wonder Workshop. It also includes in-depth interviews with Michael Stubbs, a historian; Madge McDonald, a descendant of area abolitionists; and Brad Burenheide, historian and associate professor of curriculum and instruction.

Rusty Earl, college videographer, is grateful for the opportunity to tell this story.

“I cannot give enough thanks to the many people who let us into their homes and histories to tell this important story,” Earl said. “It’s difficult to imagine what would have happened to our state and nation without the heroic people who lived in this county.”