UPDATE: Students and faculty from Kutztown University are currently filming a short movie at Eckley Miners’ Village as they prepare for a major theatrical production. Filming began earlier today, October 24, 2025, capturing the historical essence of the 1860s in a project that intertwines local history with dramatic storytelling.
Director Deryl Johnson chose Eckley as a stand-in for the now-abandoned borough of Centralia, which has been devastated by a mine fire. This project involves a short film that recounts the infamous 1868 murder of Alexander Rea, Centralia’s founder, and is part of Johnson’s upcoming play, “Centralia: The Fire Below.”
With approximately 50 students participating as cast and crew, the film is set against the backdrop of Eckley’s dirt streets and weathered homes, evoking a time long past. Filming included scenes with students dressed in period costumes, including Kirsten Heim, who narrated details of the historical murder while working in a garden filled with sunflowers and tomatoes.
“This is a unique opportunity to shoot on location,” said student Will Brenner, who managed sound and had to adjust for ambient noise during filming. The production team also included students like Lucas Garcia, a camera operator who collaborated closely with faculty to ensure the right lighting for each shot.
The film not only tells Rea’s tragic story but also shines a light on the nine-year trial that followed, which saw three men, believed to be members of the Molly Maguires, convicted of the murder. This aspect of local history is particularly significant, as these Irish immigrants were tied to a network of sabotage and crime in the coal regions.
Local resident Ralph Ellis, an extra in the film, reminisced about his childhood in Eckley, recalling how he once entered mine tunnels beneath the village. “I remember they turned the lights on, and the rats took off,” he said, adding a personal touch to the historical narrative being captured on film.
The university is also making a donation to the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation in lieu of a filming fee, highlighting the collaborative effort to preserve local history. Johnson has been planning this film project for the past two years and envisions integrating the short films into the live production scheduled for September 17-19, 2026, at the Plays and Players Theatre in Philadelphia.
As filming progresses, the team is set to shoot additional scenes, including one outside a Catholic church, where an actor will portray Rev. Daniel Ignatus McDermott, a figure who faced violence from the Molly Maguires. This moment is steeped in local legend, with McDermott famously cursing Centralia, stating only the church would remain.
The excitement surrounding this project is palpable, with students eager to share the stories of their community through film. As they capture the spirit of Eckley, they also remind us of the rich tapestry of history that connects past and present.
Stay tuned for more updates as this project unfolds, bringing history to life through the lens of Kutztown University’s talented students and faculty.
