Memory Chain is a series of documentary shorts. Each installment features a cirkut or panoramic photo taken somewhere in Indiana between 1919 and 1930. These photographs portray Hoosiers in face-to-face community. They represent a brief instant in the lives of individuals whose names are unknown to us and whose time on earth has since passed.
Remarkably, this flash of human experience has made its way to us and offers us a chance to consider our own times: how far we’ve come and perhaps how far we’ve wandered off.
Memory Chain is created, written, and narrated by Tom Roznowski. The Director is Susanne Schwibs. Editing and Post-production engineer is David Gonzales.
Memory Chain is made possible by grants from the Hollie and Anna Oakley Foundation, the Indiana Humanities Council, and the Indiana Arts Commission. Support is also provided by the Indiana Historical Society and the Vigo County Historical Society.
Grand Illusion – In an unknown time or place, a grand circus came to an Indiana town, featuring exotic animals, valiant warriors, and mysteries still left to the imagination. Archival Images Courtesy of: Indiana Historical Society, Circus Historical Society Special Thanks to: Susan Sutton, Dorothy Nichols Produced & Directed by: Susanne Schwibs Written & Narrated by: Tom Roznowski Editing & Graphics by: David Gonzalez Production Assistance provided by: Hugh Donkin
A Diamond Sunday – Before professional leagues became a mainstay in American culture, local baseball teams provided a much-needed source of entertainment and emotional relief. Archival Images Courtesy of: Bass Photo & Martin Collection – Indiana Historical Society, Vigo County Historical Society, Indiana State University Library Special Thanks to: Susan Sutton Produced & Directed by: Susanne Schwibs Written & Narrated by: Tom Roznowski Editing & Graphics by: David Gonzalez, Hugh Donkin, Adrienne Wagner
Morning Bell – This installment examines a time and place where young children were forced to deal with the realities of life apart from their families, subject to the care of strangers. Special Thanks to: Vigo County Historical Society, Indiana State University Library Produced & Directed by: Susanne Schwibs Written & Narrated by: Tom Roznowski Production Assistance Provided by: Hugh Donkin, Adrienne Wagner
Final Touches – Focusing on the 8th annual gathering of the Men’s Apparel Club of Indianapolis, held in 1925, as the nation continued to heal after World War I. Special Thanks to: Dana Tzvetkov, Soraya Noorzad, Brent Molnar, Roy Sillings, and Scott Witzke Produced & Directed by: Susanne Schwibs Written & Narrated by: Tom Roznowski Archival Images Provided by: Bretzman Collection Indiana Historical Society, with special thanks to: Susan Sutton
Sound Lesson – Exploring the mystery of harmonics with the National Association of Piano Tuners and discover the haunting melodies of the wind as created by the Aeolian Harp. In Memory of Deb Munson (1954-2014) Special Thanks to: David Jensen (Antique Temperament & Tuning), Carey Bean (Wylie House & Museum), Cindy Smith, Nancy Kreuger, Brain Garvey Produced & Directed by: Susanne Schwibs Written & Narrated by: Tom Roznowski Videography by: Jason Pear Production Assistance Provided by: Colin Denhart Archival Images Provided by: Bretzman Collection Indiana Historical Society, with special thanks to: Susan Sutton, Dorothy Nicholson Library of Congress Aeolian Harp and Recordings Courtesy of: Kenneth Turkington (Walden Winds)
The White Stag – This tale begins with a 19th Century German poem and brings us to the winter landscapes of Indiana for a rare encounter with nature. Special Thanks to: The Densford Family, Juno Bea Cahn, Roxanne Nagosky, Brian Garvey, Kathy Norris, and Rebecca Vaughn Produced & Directed by: Susanne Schwibs Written & Narrated by: Tom Roznowski “Der Weisse Hirsch” by Ludwig Uhland (1815); translated by A.B. (Harvardiana, 1838) and Eugene Field (1913). Illustrations by Emma Scharff (n.d.) Archival Images Provided by: The Prelinger Archives The Library of Congress Monroe County History Center