In 1944, 982 refugees from 18 European countries were brought to the United States as guests of President Franklin Roosevelt.

FDR agreed to admit this small token group in lieu of a much larger plan to create many safe havens all over the country and bring in possibly hundreds of thousands of refugees. The camp was Fort Ontario Army Camp in Oswego, NY. Through interviews with former refugees and archival footage, Safe Haven, tells the story of America’s only refugee shelter for Holocaust victims. Robert Clary, a former refugee, hosts.

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of this WXXI production in 2017, Safe Haven was written and produced by Paul Lewis. In 1987 the documentary received a Peabody Award, with jurors congratulating the production team for “making a particularly timely statement about the undercurrent of racism and bigotry which afflict all governments. “Paul and other special guests were in studio before and after the documentary with Need to Know host Hélène Biandudi Hofer to talk about the production and share personal stories about working on the film. See the Need to Know special on the documentary to learn more. Listen the Connections podcast 4/27/17 about the documentary.

Big Shot took place at the National Museum of Play at The Strong and was documented by WXXI. Photographed on the evening of May 5, 2011, more than 1,000 volunteers convened at the museum and used flash lights to “paint the building with light” as photographers from RIT’s School of Photographic Arts and Sciences captured the scene using an open shutter and the dramatic technique of timed exposure.

Rochester offered Italian immigrants a world of opportunities in the late 1800’s, namely through the success of the Eastman Kodak and the much-needed jobs it provided. Families joined their Italian relatives settling in Rochester, building the city and surrounding areas into the second-most Italian-populated area in New York State, second only to New York City. Hear their stories.

Restoring a Masterpiece: The Renovation of the Eastman Theatre, co-produced by WXXI and Eastman School of Music, is a one-hour documentary that captures the fascinating story of the Eastman Theatre and documents its recent restoration. Narrated by Rochester native, actor and director Philip Seymour Hoffman, the film includes historic photographs, film, video, and live performances.

Restoring a Masterpiece: The Renovation of the Eastman Theatre, co-produced by WXXI and Eastman School of Music, is a one-hour documentary that captures the fascinating story of the Eastman Theatre and documents its recent restoration. Narrated by Rochester native, actor and director Philip Seymour Hoffman, the film includes historic photographs, film, video and live performances.

Remember when Fridays meant a ride on the trolley and a sundae on Main Street? Remember when the click-clack sound of a roller coaster meant a warm summer night at Roseland Park? Remember When: Canandaigua, brings back those great memories from “the chosen spot.”

The third of the nostalgic looks at Rochester’s past includes segments on the Brighton gas explosion, the Lancers and Royals teams, Eddie Meath, Al Sigl and more.

Remember when films were shown in palaces, when thousands turned out for high school football games, and when guys brought milk in the middle of the night? This documentary remembers that time, too. Relive the past in Rochester with longtime Rochesterians and archival photos and film.