American Graduate Teacher Town Hall (2012)
Moderated by Jacksonville's Al Letson, host of NPR's State of the ReUnion, American Graduate Teacher Town Hall is an engaging forum of teachers from around the state of Florida. Video PreviewAx Handle Saturday: 50 Years Later (2010)
"Ax Handle Saturday 50 Years Later" is a documentary about the infamous day of August 27, 1960. On that date, 200 whites with ax handles and baseball bats attacked 35 members of the Jacksonville Florida Youth Council NAACP who were peacefully protesting segregation by sitting-in at a white lunch counter. They also attacked all Black persons simply shopping downtown. Video PreviewCastillo de San Marcos & Fort Matanzas (2009)
This episode focuses on the history of the Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas as well as how they each became part of the National Park System. Video PreviewFort Frederica & Cumberland Island (2009)
This episode focuses on the history of the Fort Frederica and Cumberland Island as well as how they each became part of the National Park System. Video PreviewFort Caroline & Timucuan Preserve (2013)
This episode focuses on the history of the Fort Caroline and the Timucuan Preserve as well as how they each became part of the National Park System.DVD Order
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Old Town. New Town. Our Town - The Story of Amelia Island (2011)
WJCT’s Old Town. New Town. Our Town. looks at the history of Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, Old Town and American Beach. This area in known as the Isle of Eight Flags as this is the only area in the United States over which eight different flags have flown.
The island has been the home of Native Americans and the destination for pirates, smugglers, explorers, fisherman and tourists. Fernandina is a town with genuine small-town community pride. The Centre Street Historic District is like a Victorian time capsule where many of the original structures, dating back to the 19th century, still exist. Today, Amelia Island attracts visitors from all over the world who come to this small island to enjoy its history, recreational activities and natural beauty.
Diamond Days (2010)
For more than one hundred years, professional baseball has been a significant part of the Jacksonville community. WJCT’s new documentary, Diamond Days: A History of Baseball in Jacksonville, explores the social, political, and economic connections between baseball and the local culture. This program illuminates the incongruities between every day reality and the persistent magical dreams in the game. The game has grown to be not only a pure, innocent escape for fans but also a mirror of our society. As the social and economic climate on Florida’s First Coast changed over the years, so did the fortunes of our professional minor league baseball team.
Jacksonville Beach: Against the Tide (2010)
Jacksonville Beach has been the hub of Beaches life in North Florida since the early days of the 1880s. This was the beach for fun and festivities, of the railroad, and the beach that set the tone for the development of the other regional beaches.
As with any small community, Jacksonville Beach has boundaries. These boundaries take different shapes both physical and cultural, from neighborhoods and life at the beach and in the businesses, to language, ethnicity, and occupational knowledge. As its boundaries shift radically, how is Jacksonville Beach maintaining its unique identity in this time of rapid economic progress? As businesses, condominiums, and vacationers flood the area how do the native people maintain that identity?
WJCT’s new documentary, Jacksonville Beach: Against the Tide, examines the history of the Jacksonville Beach community and how it struggles to maintain its unique identity. The city is growing vertically with old landmarks being replaced by modern cement “sand castles” and an influx of new residents. Yet the atmosphere is still warm and friendly as a small town should be. But for how long?
Jacksonville Beach: Against the Tide is produced and hosted by WJCT’s Karen Feagins.
National Parks of the First Coast and the Golden Isles (2009)
WJCT’s National Parks of the First Coast and the Golden Isles builds upon a basic thesis of Ken Burns’ The National Parks: America’s Best Idea by portraying the National Parks of northeast Florida and southeast Georgia as the prototype of how our National Parks helped shape our communities and continue to define and bring the communities together.
The documentary demonstrates how the six parks of this region work together in many ways to not only shape the landscape and community of northeast Florida and southeast Georgia, but also help to serve a large underserved audience. Featured in the program: the struggle and meanings of freedom at Kingsley Plantation; the battles over territory and nation-state at Castillo de San Marcos, Fort Matanzas, Cumberland Island and Fort Frederica; the desire for religious freedom in a new land at Fort Caroline. This WJCT production was produced and directed by Stephen Jones, narrated by Karen Feagins and executive produced by John Osif.
The St. Augustine Lighthouse (2009)
“It towers above the ocean, solitary and strong. It is a beacon for weary travelers and a graceful guard illuminating the path for seafarers. Standing watch over the nation’s oldest city is the St. Augustine Lighthouse. This majestic tower is not only a symbolic representation of the rich and unique history of St. Augustine, it serves as a guiding light for the people of the community. WJCT presents a unique look at this national treasure.” A WJCT Production scripted and hosted by Karen Feagins, produced by Christina Grimsley and executive produced by John Osif. Video Preview
War Stories from the First Coast (2007)
War Stories from the First Coast showcases local World War II veterans. Produced as part of the national conversation about Ken Burns’ The War, this one-hour program documents the personal experiences and stories of World War II veterans on the First Coast. Illustrated with rare World War II combat footage, their stories bring the war vividly to life for viewers of all ages. Produced by WJCT TV Producer/Director Christina Grimsley, the program honors their service, and preserves their stories for our collective history. Video Preview
City of Bridges (2007)
City of Bridges explores the social, cultural and economic impact of Jacksonville’s most memorable landmarks. The one-hour documentary traces the growth that resulted from the construction of Jacksonville’s railroad and automobile bridges across the St. Johns River, and explores the effects – both positive and negative – that the bridges have had on modern Florida, especially the Jacksonville area. Produced by WJCT TV Producer/Director Stephen Jones. Video Preview
Tree Lines: The Art of Stephen Malkoff (2006)
This documentary showcases the works and considerable creative gifts of Southern artist Stephen Malkoff, today the official artist of the National Register of Historic Trees. Hosted by actor Michael Gross. Video Preview
Water’s Journey: The River Returns (2005)
This film presents a spectacular view of the St. Johns River. Video Preview
Ghosts: North Florida Legends (2002)
WJCT presents a chilling look into the phenomena of local ghost stories. The Florida Theatre, the Amelia Island Williams House, the St. Augustine Lighthouse and the Casablanca Inn are investigated. The program was produced by WJCT’s John Osif. Video Preview
The Rivalry (2001)
“The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” has had a far reaching impact on the cultural and economic fabric of Jacksonville, Florida. WJCT’s documentary chronicles the history of this classic college football rivalry between the University of Florida and the University of Georgia. Produced by John Osif. Video Preview
