Visiting the Durant-Kenrick House on Film, 28 Feb.

On Thursday, 28 February, at 7:00 P.M., Historic Newton and the Newton Free Library are sponsoring a free showing of the documentary “The Durant-Kenrick Homestead: A House of Many Stories.” The event description says:

Built in 1734 and continuously occupied for nearly 275 years, the Durant-Kenrick House is Newton’s connection to many of the pivotal events of American history. This new documentary by award-winning historical documentarian Joe Hunter tells the story of the house and its occupants. Through the stories of the house’s residents, we wrestle with the fundamental questions they spent their lives answering: What is liberty? What is our responsibility to defend it? Who is a citizen?

Following the showing, Historic Newton Director Cindy Stone and other project representatives will offer more insight into the history of the house and discuss its current transformation into an educational center.

I wrote about the history of this house back in April 2012. It seems significant not because what happened there affected lots of other people but because its “many stories” reflect important trends and shifts in early American life. The movie will be shown at the Newton library, at the corner of Homer and Walnut Streets.