Watch A Place Out of Time: The Bordentown School

A Place Out of Time: The Bordentown School is a PBS documentary that explore the history and legacy of the Bordentown School, a pioneering institution in New Jersey. The documentary interviews alumni, educators, historians, and current residents of the site to create a comprehensive picture of this unique educational institution.

The Bordentown School was founded in 1886 as the New Jersey Manual Training and Industrial School for Colored Youth, a boarding school that aimed to provide both academic and vocational training for African American students. Over the next century, the school would evolve to reflect changing attitudes towards race, education, and civil rights.

One of the highlights of the documentary is its use of archival footage and photographs to provide a visual history of the school. From early black-and-white images of students in the 19th century to color footage of sports games and dance performances in the 1950s, viewers are given a glimpse into the daily life of Bordentown students.

But beyond the nostalgia and historic photos, the documentary also shines a light on the challenges faced by the students and faculty of Bordentown over the years. From the difficulties of growing up in a segregated society to the struggles of transitioning into the professional world, many graduates of Bordentown faced obstacles that their white peers did not.

The documentary also explores the role of the Bordentown School in broader social movements of the 20th century. Civil rights activists such as Paul Robeson and Martin Luther King Jr. visited Bordentown to speak to students, and many Bordentown alumni went on to become leaders in movements for racial justice and equality.

One of the key interviewees in the documentary is Ruby Dee, a renowned actress and activist who attended the Bordentown School in the 1930s. Dee reflects on her experiences at Bordentown, including the complicated relationship she had with the institution as a young person.

Throughout the documentary, viewers are presented with multiple perspectives on the Bordentown School, from the pride and affection felt by generations of alumni to the criticisms leveled against the school by some who saw it as a tool of assimilation rather than liberation.

Overall, A Place Out of Time: The Bordentown School is a fascinating look at an often-overlooked chapter in American educational history. Through its use of archival material and first-hand accounts, the documentary provides a nuanced and engaging portrait of an institution that played an important role in the lives of many African American students over the years.