Scars Along the Mohawk

Canajoharie, New York, originally known as "the pot that washes itself" in the Mohawk language, was a significant village for the Mohawk tribe of the Iroquois Nation.

The town's rich history includes ties to the Revolutionary War, the building of the Erie Canal, and the iconic Beech-Nut Company.

In 1890, the Beech-Nut company was founded in Canajoharie, becoming the town's largest employer for over a century. The factory, known for producing baby food and gum, closed in March 2011 after 118 years of operation, relocating to a new facility in the nearby town of Florida, near Amsterdam.
https://www.syracuse.com/news/2009/04/beec...

The closure of the Beech-Nut factory left a significant void in Canajoharie's identity and economy. Efforts to repurpose the old Beech-Nut site have faced delays, including issues related to asbestos cleanup and redevelopment plans.

The community continues to grapple with the challenges of redefining itself and addressing the remnants of its industrial past.

Filmmaker DC Cummings, a native of Canajoharie, embarked on his collegiate journey in 1983 after graduating from CHS. He subsequently built a television career, contributing to stations across three states before founding a video production company specializing in long-form content and sports. His work has garnered nine regional Emmy Awards and other honors, some from the Associated Press. In 2013, he earned a Ph.D. at Sheffield University in the UK and is an Associate Professor of Multimedia and Film Production at Georgia Southern University.

Cary Cummings-Cross was the producer of this short documentary. The Canajoharie native has organized many alumni reunions and continues to keep ties to her hometown. She was responsible for gathering all the interviewees in the film.

Special thanks to drone operator Dan Williams. His drone work will forever capture the iconic Beech-Nut Factory before it was torn down.

Special thanks to the Arkell Museum At Canajoharie and Executive Director Sue Friedlander, for her input and introduction to the Winslow Homer collection. https://www.arkellmuseum.org/beech-nut-col...