Tag Archives: In Between the Trees

Longtime WKTV partner Rose Hammond’s acclaimed documentary to air on station’s cable channel

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Historic postcard of Idlewild Lake dock and boat (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

“In Between the Trees”, Rose Hammond’s 2019 documentary film about the historic African-American resort towns of Idlewild and Woodland Park, was more than simply a community project supported by WKTV Community Media.

It is a prime example of a community-led project which WKTV prides itself in being an advocate for and a partner with. And the film will be on display next week as it begins a short cable-television run on WKTV Community Channel 25.

“As Rose went through he process of producing this documentary, we all found it fascinating that she was uncovering this amazing story of local history,” said Tom Norton, general manager of WKTV Community Media. “WKTV is happy and proud that she chose to use this facility to realize that storytelling goal.”

WKTV will air “In Between The Trees Monday, April 20, at 9:30 a.m.; Tuesday, April 21, at  7 p.m.; and Friday, April 24, 10 a.m.

Idlewild was started in 1912 by white investors who created a resort for black vacationers during the Jim Crow era — when most resorts would not allow blacks to book stays. Woodland Park came a few years later.

Rose Hammond at WKTV Community Media for the premiere of her film “In Between the Trees”. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

The film about the history of the towns — produced, substantially filmed, and edited at WKTV by Hammond — is based on her 1994 book “Idlewild & Woodland Park, Michigan (An African American Remembers)”.

In a WKTV Journal interview when the film premiered at a special screening last year, Hammond talked about her labor of love.

“I was attracted to the story when coming home and our family went up north to visit our grandpa’s old house,” Hammond said to WKTV. “While in Woodland Park all I heard were the stories of how it used to be. I then decided that someone needed to put a collection of interviews together to maintain the historical value of the community.

“No matter what becomes of the two communities they will always be known as an outlet for thousands of African Americans to entertain and vacation like their counterparts. It will always be Idlewild and Woodland Park.”

For the complete WKTV Journal story, visit here. The trailer for the documentary can be viewed here and another here. For a WKTV video interview with Rose Hammond while the film was in process, visit here.

Local filmmaker and WKTV volunteer excited to be a part of ArtPrize

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Rose Hammond with ArtPrize entry at the Grand Rapids African American Museum.

Local filmmaker and WKTV volunteer Rose Hammond is currently showing a sneak peek of her upcoming documentary “In Between the Trees” at ArtPrize 10.

 

The documentary focuses on the Michigan African-American communities of Idlewild and Woodland Park. 

 

Here ArtPrize piece, also titled “In Between the Trees,” is located at the Grand Rapids African American Museum, 87 Monroe Center NW. In her ArtPrize entry, Hammond has the trailer and three canvas pieces that let the the individuals who created the communities of Idelwild and Woodland Park tell their stories. For a look at Hammond’s entry, click here.

 

Hammond will be presenting a discussion about her work Wednesday, Sept. 26, at 6 p.m. at the museum.

 

Hammond said she is thrilled to be showing her work at the Grand Rapids African American Museum, which was one of five venues on the ArtPrize Juried Short list for best venue. The venue features eight artists including Hammond and Heather Johnson, whose piece “But Did You Die?” made the jurors’ short list for best 2-D work.

 

 

Stories from the ‘Good ol’ days’ inspire resident to produce documentary on Idlewild

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By Allison Biss

WKTV Editorial Assistant

Growing up in the Michigan community of White Cloud, Rose Hammond remembers visiting her grandmother and hearing about the “good old days” that took place in the African-American communities of  Idlewild and Woodland Park.

 

Woodland Park and Idlewild were lively areas, booming with entertainers in the likes of Louis Armstrong, Satchel Paige, and Aretha Franklin, amongst others.

 

“You hear about all these great, great people who helped to bring some of the first utilities up there, who started their own businesses, who lived in what was considered doghouses for those who did not have or couldn’t afford a regular home up there,” Hammond said.

 

These “great” people not only created history for the people of Idlewild and Woodland Park, but also inspired Hammond to make a documentary, “In Between the Trees,” about the importance of  these communities.

 

During the Jim Crow era in America (1877-1964), African-Americans experienced systematic bigotry and racial prejudice. Seeking places to call their own, they purchased plats of land in two communities of Northern Michigan: Idlewild and Woodland Park.

 

“Idlewild was formed first, and then in 1912, platted some land, and then in 1921, Woodland Park came after that using Idlewild as a template,” Hammond said.

 

These communities were considered unusual during this era, as the residents were extremely comfortable around one another, often doing as they please, which was unheard of for other African-Americans at this time. “We would see them, and they’d lay out on the beach, you’d not seen that before with any African Americans or ‘colored,’ as they were called back then.” Hammond said. The uniqueness of these people and their fellowship contributed to the special nature of Idlewild and Woodland Park that many enjoyed.

 

However, after the passing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964, numerous residents abandoned their property in Idlewild and Woodland Park in search of new opportunities they had been previously denied.

 

“They could go to the Holiday Inn. They could stay at all these other luxurious [resorts], [and in] Las Vegas,” Hammond said. “They didn’t have to just be confined to Idlewild up in the woods. They were able to do a lot of different things. Consequently, they forgot about Idlewild…”

 

The ability to share the special story of Idlewild and Woodland Park, and the revival of these communities is what makes the documentary important to Hammond.

 

“I think it’s just so important for the young people to understand history,” she said. “And to hear the history from those who helped to bring history to be.”

Hammond hopes to release the documentary in June. For more information about the project, visit runwith-it.net or stay tune to WKTV Journal as we follow the story.