Students and faculty from Kutztown University gathered at the Eckley Miners’ Village Museum on October 24, 2025, to film a short movie that will complement a live theatrical production. The film focuses on the 1868 murder of Alexander Rea, the founder of Centralia, a borough in Pennsylvania now largely abandoned due to a destructive mine fire.
The project is spearheaded by Deryl Johnson, a professor who previously wrote a play about Centralia in 1998. This film serves as both a historical exploration and a modern retelling, utilizing the village’s authentic 19th-century setting to create a compelling narrative. The film will be part of Johnson’s upcoming play, titled “Centralia: The Fire Below,” scheduled for performances at the Plays and Players Theatre in Philadelphia from September 17 to 19, 2026.
The film shoot featured students dressed in period costumes, including straw bonnets and floral aprons, as they worked amidst crinkled sunflowers and ripe tomatoes in the garden. The atmosphere of the village, with its dirt streets and weathered homes, effectively transported the crew back to an era that shaped much of the region’s history.
During the filming, student Kirsten Heim narrated the details of Rea’s murder while digging in the garden, a role that drew on her experience in community theater. This production involved approximately 50 individuals from Kutztown, including cast and crew members. Another student, Will Brenner, who was responsible for sound, expressed his enthusiasm about filming on location, saying, “Being on a real location is really cool.”
The film not only highlights historical events but also engages students in technical aspects of filmmaking. Lucas Garcia, a student operating the camera, consulted with retired professor Cara Cotellese and Scott Bastedo, an associate professor, to ensure optimal lighting for scenes shot inside a wooden structure called a summer kitchen. The collaboration illustrates an effective blend of academic learning and practical experience.
The narrative of Rea’s murder and the subsequent trial—where three men, allegedly members of the Molly Maguires, were convicted—will be depicted in the film. This aspect of the story connects to the historical significance of the village, which has previously served as a filming location for the 1968 movie “The Molly Maguires.”
Among the participants was Ralph Ellis, 83, who grew up in Eckley and shared memories of his childhood experiences with the coal mining community. He recounted how his father chauffeured actors during the earlier film’s production, revealing a personal connection to the film’s historical backdrop.
The museum management, led by Bode Morin, has welcomed various film crews in the past. Although there was no fee for using the grounds, a donation will be made to the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation to support the village. Johnson noted that he had been planning this project for two years, emphasizing the importance of sharing the stories and artifacts of Centralia’s residents.
The culmination of these efforts will be showcased during the live production of “Centralia: The Fire Below,” where the films shot at both Eckley and the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine in Ashland will enhance the storytelling experience. Johnson aims to use video to convey the deep community ties that motivated residents to remain in Centralia, even as danger loomed from the fire.
As the filmmaking team wrapped up their work at Eckley, they prepared to shoot one last scene, which involves an actor portraying Rev. Daniel Ignatus McDermott. The narrative suggests that after an attack by the Molly Maguires, McDermott placed a curse on Centralia, predicting that only the church would remain.
This project not only reflects a dedication to historical storytelling but also fosters an engaging educational experience for the students involved, bridging the past with contemporary artistic expression.
