Fifteen year old boy escaping to Fort Monroe in
1861 (animation in THE GATE)
THE GATE: The Story of America’s First Contraband Community
Cousins meeting for the first time
Contraband Historical Society board members
participating in Soil Blending Ceremony
A PBS Documentary and Educational Program Initiative
Historic story, told by descendants.
This descendant-led PBS documentary and educational program initiative is in production in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Filming is centered at Fort Monroe, the birthplace of freedom for thousands of self-emancipated people in 1861. Known as “Contrabands,” these men, women, and children fled enslavement, sought refuge behind Union lines, and built the first free, self-governed Black community in the shadow of the Civil War.
More than a film, it’s an act of cultural preservation.
While well-grounded in scholarship and guided by an established panel of historians, THE GATE is also a creative act of public history. Featuring descendants Pamela Holley, Tim Savage, and Agena Cason Rogers, the project preserves oral histories passed down for generations and pairs them with archival research and cinematic storytelling.
Visual artistry is central to the film. Contraband descendant Kevin Brooks is painting original works depicting Contraband life, which Hampton University students and graduates will animate to bring history vividly to life. This collaboration between descendants, scholars, artists, and students makes THE GATE both an educational tool and a living cultural legacy.
A National Platform
PBS has expressed a strong interest in airing THE GATE and making it available to PBS stations nationwide beginning in 2027. This will ensure that this untold story reaches millions of households across the country. It will be the first feature-length documentary and educational program devoted to this subject.
An Opportunity for Corporate Leadership
Our award-winning filmmaking team brings 20+ years of PBS experience, producing acclaimed documentaries and television series that combine cultural depth with broad audience reach. By sponsoring THE GATE, your company will:
- Align with a nationally significant story of freedom, family, resilience, and community.
- Demonstrate commitment to advancing education and leadership in historical and cultural preservation.
- Be on the cutting edge of uncovering and sharing newly discovered stories of American history.
- Reach national audiences and diverse communities through the PBS distribution network.
Join Us
THE GATE offers sponsors a rare opportunity to honor America’s history while leaving a meaningful imprint to inspire future generations. Together, we can ensure that this story of courage and resilience is finally told.
CLICK HERE for Sneak Peek of THE GATE in development:
THE GATE: The Story of America’s First Contraband Community
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact:
Tim Rutherford, Executive Board Member
Contraband Historical Society
ContrabandHistoricalSociety.com
Phone: 508-776-2165
Email: [email protected]
Mike Mascoll, Film Producer
THE GATE documentary
SeltzerFilmVideo.com/about-us/
Phone: 845-843-0195
Email: [email protected]
Humanities Advisors:
Prof. Thulani Davis, PhD, Prof. Thavolia Glymph, PhD, Civil Rights Leader Ben Jealous, Prof. Chandra Manning, PhD, Prof. Amy Murrell Taylor, PhD, Historian William B. Wiggins, PhD
A Seltzer Film & Video Production
in association with LEV Media Group, featuring members of the Contraband Historical Society
