Film Follows History of Black Resorts

Screening at the Katharine Cornell Theatre tonight, Feb. 12, is A Place of Our Own, a documentary that examines the history, significance, and changing landscape of the African American resort community on Martha’s Vineyard and elsewhere, and its significance in the life of filmmaker Stanley Nelson.

Since the late 19th century, affluent African Americans have built summer communities to rest, socialize, and expose their children to a positive vision of black life. Some resorts, like Idlewild, Michigan; Cape May, New Jersey; and Fox Lake, Indiana, have fallen into decline, while other locations, including Sag Harbor, Long Island; Highland Beach, Maryland; American Beach, Florida, and, of course, Oak Bluffs, continue to attract growing numbers of African Americans of means.

The screening will be followed by Swim,an animated short about African American fisheries biologist Dr. Jearld Ambrose’s memories of family trips to the segregated Atlantic Beach, South Carolina.

Admission is $8; $5 for Martha’s Vineyard Film Society members. For details, visit mvfilmsociety.com or call 774-392-2972.