On April 15 at 9pm, WGBY airs “The Address,” a 90-minute feature length documentary by Ken Burns that tells the story of a tiny school in Putney, Vermont, where each year students are encouraged to memorize, practice and recite the Gettysburg Address.  WGBY is also hosting an advanced screening of the film in our area this Sunday, April 6.   And, from WGBY’s Lending Library, you can borrow Gettysburg and the Civil War (I.D. 2407), a package containing a documentary film plus photos, documents, maps and other memorabilia relating to that epic event.  

In its exploration of the Greenwood School, the film “The Address” unlocks the history, context and importance of President Lincoln’s most powerful address.  The Greenwood School students, boys ages 11-17, all face a range of complex learning differences that make their personal, academic and social progress extremely challenging.  Burns’s documentary uncovers how President Lincoln’s historic words motivate and engage these students a century-and-a-half after President Lincoln delivered a speech that would go on to embolden the Union cause with some of the most stirring words ever spoken.

To borrow the package which documents Abraham Lincoln’s famous speech at the dedication of the battle of Gettysburg for a month, click here. 

WGBY’s screening, free & open to the public on Sunday, April 6, are at the Springfield Armory National Historic Site and Springfield Technical Community College (STCC):

• “Civil War Tour” led by park rangers, along with a black powder firing demonstration by park rangers and the Peter Brace Brigade
• During this time WGBY’s “Digital Ambassadors” will be video recording recitations and readings of the Gettysburg Address, which we will post on our web site

• The Community Music School of Springfield performs a program of song and readings

• “The Address” preview includes remarks about the film and an advance screening of a portion of the documentary.
• The event concludes with a group reading of the Gettysburg Address.