Greenlawn Cemetery Documentary Trailer Screening and Panel Discussion

*Image courtesy of the Indiana State Library Genealogy Collection

The Indianapolis Department of Public Works (Indy DPW), in collaboration with local filmmakers Studio Auteur, an Indianapolis based content creation company, is releasing the official trailer for an upcoming documentary chronicling the historic Greenlawn Cemetery excavation conducted as part of the Henry Street Bridge Project.

The documentary captures one of Indianapolis’ most significant archaeological undertakings to date, documenting the excavation, research, and interpretation of early city residents buried across two of the four historic cemeteries collectively known as Greenlawn Cemetery. As infrastructure improvements advance along the river corridor, archaeological teams have worked meticulously to recover and interpret the stories of individuals whose histories form the foundation of the city’s early development.

Produced and directed by filmmaker Jerald Harkness of Studio Auteur, the project offers an intimate look into the unfolding discoveries, the scientific and ethical considerations guiding the excavation, and the collaborative efforts of archaeologists, City of Indianapolis employees, and Community Advisory Group members. The trailer provides the public with its first glimpse into the narrative arc of the film, which aims to illuminate the lived experiences of early Indianapolis communities and the long-overlooked histories represented within Greenlawn Cemetery.

Indy DPW is hosting two public programs which will feature a screening of the documentary trailer followed by a panel discussion with the filmmaker, archaeologists who directed the excavation, and representatives from the Community Advisory Group. These programs invite the community to engage directly with the film, ask questions, and reflect on how this work contributes to a more complete understanding of Indianapolis’ past.

The full documentary release date has not yet been finalized, as analysis of the recovered remains and artifacts is ongoing. Indy DPW anticipates completion after research and analysis phases are concluded to ensure the film presents a responsible and complete account of the excavation’s findings.

Follow the project website for additional announcements regarding the project and documentary: https://wridinfrastructure.com/.

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