New York video content producer and Stevens Point native Terry Kawles has begun work on a documentary about the history, architecture, and people of P.J. Jacobs High School before it became a junior high school.

The documentary, now in pre-production, is scheduled to premiere in the late fall of 2016.

The documentary will explore the New Deal Era history of how the school was funded, designed and constructed. It will weave the school’s Great Depression background with architectural insights and a personal on-camera interview from the last surviving person who was part of the construction crew that built it, as well as former students and teachers sharing their most cherished memories.

“So many aspects of P.J. Jacobs’ history are unique,” said Kawles, who will serve as the documentary’s producer and director. “From its art deco design and the exquisite attention to architectural detail, to being a byproduct of the Great Depression’s WPA and PWA programs. We hope to entertain and maybe even surprise folks with parts of the story they didn’t know. In that way, folks might gain a greater appreciation of what a marvelous piece of history – and what a unique and beautiful building they have for a district school.”

P.J. Jacobs High School, now one of two junior high schools in Stevens Point, had its formal dedication on June 1, 1938, and served as the community’s high school until Stevens Point Area Senior High School opened in January 1972.

Some interesting points of note that also may be in the documentary, according to Kawles, are:

* – The school was built during the Great Depression using New Deal Programs.

* – Both the construction and architectural firms that built the school are still in business.

* – Architect drawings and building blueprints survive.

* – The last known surviving member of the 1936 construction crew is interviewed for the piece.

* – E.John Pfiffner, the artist that created the school’s mural, was interviewed.

* – Drone video photography may be incorporated as part of the documentary.

Stevens Point Area Public School District is cooperating with the production.

“We are excited about the project and grateful to Mr. Kawles for spearheading it,” said School Board President Meg Erler. “Countless graduates have walked through the halls and gone on to make our community great.”

The production will be partially funded via a fundraising campaign through the Kickstarter crowding funding platform. Kickstarter helps artists, musicians, filmmakers, designers, and other creators find the resources and support they need to make their ideas a reality.

Kawles said he believes it is vital the community is involved in creating the production.

“Even though I’ve been part of several productions and know how to produce content economically, it still takes additional funds to travel to tell these stories, and the fees for historical footage about the WPA and Great Depression can get pricey,” said Kawles. “Folks can contribute as little as $5, and as a thank you we give them some really cool rewards for helping make this project happen.”

The documentary’s Kickstarter campaign seeks to raise $2,500 over the next 30 days. More than $600 has been raised to date. Anyone interested in contributing can get more information from www.kickstarter.com/projects/tkawles/the-pjjacobs-documentary.

Born and raised in the Stevens Point area, Kawles moved to New York City in 1983 to work in the music and entertainment industry as a professional musician, and then as a music and video content producer and entertainment attorney.

He remains connected to Stevens Point, and currently serves on the Fox on Main’s (Fox Theater-Stevens Point) Advisory Board, and is interested in fostering the creation of local/documentary video content in the Stevens Point area.

For more information, visit the P.J. Jacobs Documentary Facebook Group Page at www.facebook.com/groups/707934152649382/.