Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Program: Showing of Documentary Film “Root Hog or Die”

“Root Hog or Die” DVD cover image

The Colrain Historical Society will show the 1973 documentary film “Root Hog or Die,” which portrays the vanishing way of life of dairy farmers in Western Massachusetts and southern Vermont, on Thursday, September 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the Stacy Barn behind the Pitt House at 8 Main Road, Colrain. 

Digitally remastered by Bernardston filmmaker Rawn Fulton, his film visits “an array of elders, who reflect on farming’s deep natural patterns, share their family histories and personal memories… [manifesting] the quiet pride they take in their lives as farmers.” Fulton will show the film and stay for a question and answer period. 

The program will follow a meeting at 7 p.m. Both are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. 

More information about the film, and a short preview may be seen here: https://store.der.org/root-hog-or-die-p485.aspx

Read this 2012 Greenfield Recorder article by Richie Davis:



Excerpt about Colrain’s Fred Call from the Ritchie Davis article.

The DVD is available at Colrain’s Griswold Memorial Library and other local public libraries.

Back cover of the DVD

Four screenshots from the film showing Fred Call at his gas station in Colrain Center.