The Widen Film Project - A West Virginia Coal Mining Town Documentary

Life in Widen, WV, the famous company town built by J.G. Bradley who was a national and state coal mining leader. Includes the 1952 U.M.W.A. strike.

Charleston filmmaker Kelley Thompson was hired in 2006 by the Central Appalachia
Empowerment Zone to interview Clay Countians, filming their memories. He found that
many recalled life in Widen, the famous company town built by J.G. Bradley who was a
national and state coal mining leader. He also learned about the 1952 U.M.W.A. strike at
Widen. He interviewed William C. Blizzard, son of the union leader Bill Blizzard, Gordon
Simmons, president of the WV Labor History Assn. and others about the strike. (Julia Baker
wrote ―Up Molasses Mountain‖ based on her father’s memories of the time.) The film covers
other areas including the Buffalo Creek & Gauley Railroad, and sports history with legendary
coach Bobby Stover.