Ozarks Public Television (OPT) will premiere a locally produced documentary on the process and universally impactful effect of electricity coming to the Ozarks.
“Empowerment: The Electrification of the Ozarks” will be broadcast on OPT at 8 p.m. July 14 and will repeat at 3 p.m. July 17. The program is presented as part of OPT’s commitment to local productions that document, present and preserve significant aspects of regional Ozarks history.
Electrification of a nation
The electrification of America is a broad, sweeping story. Cities and other areas of America experienced electricity as early as the 1880s, but electrification of the rural Ozarks continued into the 1960s due to geography, topography and sometimes scattered population. During this time, changes in Ozarks lifestyle and culture would comparatively be the difference between night and day as the one-time isolated individuals and communities became connected to each other and to a larger and progressing nation.
“The story of electricity coming to the Ozarks is one of those uniquely rare and unforgettable experiences that impacted, and continues to impact, everyone in our region,” said Tom Carter, OPT programming and production manager. “It’s in many ways a personal story but one we each collectively share. This has been an incredibly informative project to work on and one that’s been a privilege for OPT to help share with our viewers.”
Stories from residents
The strong human interest story, rich in photos and archival films and video, is told through personal reflections from longtime Ozarks residents and electrical industry professionals. Additionally, well-researched and informative academic perspective is provided by respected university faculty members.
“Viewers will take a journey to the time period when electricity was introduced to our region and hear first-person accounts of how life was transformed,” said Tammy Wiley, OPT general manger. “OPT’s unique commitment to documenting the history and heritage of the Ozarks remains strong thanks to the businesses and viewers that support these local programs. We are grateful for their help in making this important work possible.”