With beautiful river scenery, compelling river stories and a rich historic narrative the new documentary Take the River offers a nostalgic, historically accurate look at events and people that have shaped the Ohio River Valley. The program airs Sunday, June 12 at 3/2 pm on KET and Monday, June 13 at 10/9 pm on KET2.

Focusing on the historic river communities of southeastern Indiana, the hour-long documentary utilizes interviews with local historians, archival images and modern re-enactors to present a rich mosaic of stories from the Ohio River’s past.

The program features several historical re-enactments, including Lexington’s Confederate General John Hunt Morgan leading his men on a Civil War raid of Indiana, Kentucky statesman Henry Clay sampling the wines at Indiana’s Swiss Colony, and more.

The film offers insights into many eras of the region’s river history, including the Ohio River’s role in the Underground Railroad, the prevalence of steamboats for nineteenth century trade and the far-reaching effects of the 1937 Flood.

“A lot of people will be surprised at how much history there is in southeastern Indiana,” said Dennis Neary, a native of Aurora, Ind., who wrote and produced the film. “It’s been a learning experience for me, too.”

Take the River is an independent production, produced by Neary Creative.

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Contact:

Todd Piccirilli
Senior Director, Marketing and Communications
859-258-7242
tpiccirilli@ket.org