Short documentary about Austin-area freedom colony available for public viewing

Culture
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A short documentary produced by the Austin Parks and Recreation Department takes a look at the life of Hezekiah Haskell and his descendants. | City of Austin

A short documentary produced by the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) examines the life of Hezekiah Haskell and his descendants.

According to a November 18 press release attributed to the city of Austin, the documentary, "Haskell House and the Story of Clarksville," uses the historic Hezekiah Haskell House, located at 1703 Waterston Ave., as a focal point. The home is situated in Clarksville, one of the first freedom colonies established west of the Mississippi in Texas following the Civil War.

The Haskell House is recognized as the oldest registered structure in Clarksville. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as both a State of Texas and City of Austin Historic Landmark. The property eventually came under city ownership and is currently managed by the Clarksville Community Development Corporation (CCDC) as a museum, community activity, and meeting space.

The documentary premiered at the Boyd Vance Theater at the George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural, and Genealogy Center on November 16. It is available for viewing on PARD’s YouTube channel.