WS Chronicle

The story of how and why Forsyth County came to have two separate, central municipalities so close together that they ended up consolidating in 1913 is the subject of a new documentary produced by WSTV 13. The documentary will premiere Thursday, May 9 at A/perture Cinema, 311 W. Fourth St., as part of the city’s centennial celebration.

“Merger: Making the Twin City” looks at the origins of Salem and its theocratic governance; the establishment of Winston and its rise as an industrial center; early, failed efforts at consolidation; and the forces that made consolidation inevitable.

Combining interviews, re-enactments and rarely seen photographs, the documentary recounts the political maneuvering that preceded the establishment of Forsyth County in 1849, the unexpected turn of events that set relations between the towns off to a rocky start, and their rapprochement in the years preceding consolidation.

“Merger: Making the Twin City” was written, produced and directed by Frank Elliott and edited by Larry Bell Jr. Joel Everett composed and performed the original score. Roy Alexander narrated the film.

Tickets are available for the 9:30 p.m. screening at A/perture on May 9. The documentary will also be shown on WSTV 13 starting May 16 and will be broadcast statewide by UNC public television on May 30.

Ticket information and a trailer are posted under the Thursday events link at W-S100Years.com. The web site also has information about all centennial events and how to order commemorative centennial items.