Emmy-winning Filmmakers present excerpts and host discussion for new “Resurrecting Forest Grove” documentary Dec. 28

Mid-America Emmy® award-winning filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films in Moline will preview excerpts from their new documentary “Resurrecting Forest Grove” during a free online Humanities Iowa presentation Tuesday, December 28 at 6:30 p.m. The one-hour program, “Resurrecting Forest Grove, Or the Impossible & Improbable Restoration of a Roaring ‘20s Country School”, will include a Q&A with the Rundles, Iowa historian Leo Landis, and Forest Grove preservationist Sharon Andresen. Viewers can attend the event via Fourth Wall Films’ Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Fourth-Wall-Films-173844695995934.

The Rundles first visited Forest Grove School in Bettendorf, Iowa in 2009 while filming snow scenes for their Mid-America Emmy® nominated historical documentary Country School: One Room – One Nation. The school appeared to be on the brink of collapse and unrestorable. In 2012, a small group of local preservationists, coordinated by Andresen, decided the 1873 Forest Grove School No. 5 could, and should, be saved.

Resurrecting Forest Grove will cinematically tell the dramatic true story behind the seemingly-impossible task of restoring the vintage one-room school to its 1920s appearance. Footage and interviews gathered over a ten-year period will depict the problems they faced and the solutions they employed as they attempted to bring this rural icon back to life. The surprises and successes of this challenging restoration project are intercut with a vivid historical portrait of the 'Roaring 20s' in rural America.

"It has been an exciting experience to watch and document the ‘resurrection’ of Forest Grove over the past seven years,” said producer Tammy Rundle. “It took a dedicated and hard-working group of visionaries to bring the school back to life. It is an inspirational story that will make you think twice about saying, ‘It can’t be done.’"

Resurrecting Forest Grove received partial funding from Humanities Iowa and is slated for release in 2022.

For more information about the new documentary, visit www.ForestGroveMovie.com and the film's Facebook fan page.

Fourth Wall Films is an Emmy award-winning independent film and video production company formerly located in Los Angeles, and now based in Moline, Illinois.

Fundraising for Final Work on "Resurrecting Forest Grove" Film

JOIN THE JOURNEY AND SUPPORT RESURRECTING FOREST GROVE

We are in the final phase of post-production (editing) on our new Fourth Wall Films documentary feature film Resurrecting Forest Grove and could not be more excited! Now the REAL fun begins as we start selecting from all of the footage gathered over the last eight years and edit the story of Forest Grove School No. 5's history and rebirth.

We are once again in FUNdraising mode. The Film-Fundraising Campaign goal is $3,500 and we sure could use your help!

We accept donations of all levels, starting at $5!  Your contribution will fund a portion of the cost of the post-production phase of Resurrecting Forest Grove. 

How to contribute and the cool "perks"offered, details about the film project and campaign updates can be found by clicking HERE.

Thank you for considering supporting "Resurrecting Forest Grove"!  We are very grateful to all of our generous contributors and sponsors!

Playing at Forest Grove School No. 5

You are never too old to swing!

Filmmaker Kelly Rundle of Fourth Wall Films joined his parents Ken and Arlene on the swings at Forest Grove School No. 5 after a wonderful tour of the historic site. They viewed the short museum film, Remembering Forest Grove, reminisced about their own country school memories, rang the school bell, and then PLAYED! If the Giant Stride had not been locked down, it is possible they would have given it a whirl.

Do like the Rundles. Tour Forest Grove School! See the film! Ring the bell! Play on the swings! Saturdays 9A-11:30A. Free to the young and young at heart.

ForestGroveSchool.org     ForestGroveMovie.com

Forest Grove School No. 5 Now Open for Tours

 

The newly restored 1873 Forest Grove School No. 5 opens its doors to the public for Saturday morning tours beginning May 22 from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. The one-room school is located at 24040 Forest Grove Drive, Bettendorf, Iowa and is FREE to visitors of all ages, with donations welcome.

Docents will guide visitors through the one-room school’s fun exhibits and share details about the country school experience. A newly installed kiosk allows guests to view the short museum film “Remembering Forest Grove” by award-winning filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films. The 10-minute documentary gives a quick overview of the history of one-room schools in Iowa, the people who attended Forest Grove No. 5, and a look at the actual restoration work that took place at the schoolhouse over a seven-year period.

Multiple shorter films about farming, history, and former students and teachers of Forest Grove School, are also accessible by using an interactive touchscreen on the kiosk.

Forest Grove School is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Forest Grove School Preservation is a 501©3 charitable organization dedicated to preserving and telling the history of rural education through the historic rehabilitation of Forest Grove Schoolhouse No. 5. Visit ForestGroveSchool.org for more information

Forest Grove Museum Film Special Screening for Donors

Tammy and I were thrilled to present a special sneak preview of the new 10-minute museum film "Remembering Forest Grove" to an exclusive group of donors who funded the documentary project. It was a wonderful evening and our gratitude to these extremely generous contributors is beyond measure. 

The film will screen during tours in Forest Grove School No. 5's new interactive kiosk. Viewers will also have the opportunity to watch other short clips about farming, history, and former students and teachers of Forest Grove School.

Forest Grove School is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Forest Grove School Preservation is a 501©3 charitable organization dedicated to preserving and telling the history of rural education through the historic rehabilitation of Forest Grove Schoolhouse No. 5. Visit ForestGroveSchool.org for more information. 

We feel so fortunate to have been part of this amazing project since 2012! We encourage the young and young at heart to take a tour of this beautifully restored historic schoolhouse. Tours are available on Saturdays 9-11:30 a.m. Free admission. Donations are welcome.

Fourth Wall Films is an award-winning and Emmy-nominated independent film and video production company formerly located in Los Angeles, and now based in Moline, Illinois.

 

Forest Grove No. 5 story featured on Paul Sands Live May 4th

 

KWQC-6's Paula Sands Live! will have guests Kelly Rundle from Fourth Wall Films, and Sharon Andresen, Project Coordinator for Forest Grove School Preservation, on the show Tuesday, May 4 at 3:00 p.m. to  talk with Paula about the 7+ years of restoration work on Forest Grove No. 5, the official opening to the public later this month, and the new 10-minute museum film produced by the Rundles which debuts at the schoolhouse May 22.

 

Paula Sands Live! is featured weekdays on KWQC TV6 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

 

"Five very generous donors made the museum film "Remembering Forest Grove" possible," said producer Kelly Rundle.  "We are grateful to each of them and excited to share the film with them and with the public May 22 at Forest Grove School."

 

The historic 1873 schoolhouse features fun exhibits, docent tours, an interactive film viewing, and plenty of history. Forest Grove School No. 5 will officially open to the public  Saturdays 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. beginning May 22, 2021. Admission is free for all ages. Donations are welcomed!

 

Kelly & Tammy Rundle, Fourth Wall Films, shoot interior footage at Forest Grove No. 5.

The Rundles are also working on a feature-length documentary entitled Resurrecting Forest Grove. The film will cinematically tell the dramatic true story behind the seemingly-impossible task of restoring a vintage one-room school to its 1920s appearance. Footage and interviews gathered over a seven-year period depict the problems they faced and the solutions they employed as they attempted to bring this rural icon back to life. The surprises and successes of this challenging restoration project are intercut with a vivid historical portrait of the 'Roaring 20s' in rural America.

 

Resurrecting Forest Grove is partially funded by a grant from Humanities Iowa, and the The National Endowment for the Humanities. The fiscal sponsor for the documentary project is The Moline Foundation. Resurrecting Forest Grove is slated for release in early 2022.

 

Fourth Wall Films is an award-winning and Emmy-nominated independent film and video production company formerly located in Los Angeles, and now based in Moline, Illinois.

 

Here is how you can help support work on the documentary project, RESURRECTING FOREST GROVE:

To contribute, check out the cool "perks"offered, read up on details about the film project and campaign updates, click HERE. We accept donations of all levels, starting at $5!  

Thank you for considering supporting Resurrecting Forest Grove!  We are very grateful to all of our generous Sponsors & Supporters! 

Forest Grove No. 5 Opens for Tours Beginning May 22, New Museum Film Debuts

The following story was written by reporter Jonathan Turner for QuadCities.com.

Following the meticulous, painstaking preservation of a former one-room school in Bettendorf — completed in September 2019, after more than seven years — the project supporters envisioned reopening as a museum in early 2020. Then Covid happened.

The 1873 Forest Grove No. 5 School – refurbished to its 1920s appearance at a cost of $250,000 — is scheduled to reopen on Saturday, May 22, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Regular hours beyond Saturday mornings will be expanded as docents become trained.

Volunteer docent training will be taking place on Monday, May 3 at 10 a.m. at the schoolhouse, 24040 Forest Grove Drive, Bettendorf. The school will be open for free to the public, with donations welcome.

Kelly & Tammy Rundle, producers of  the museum center film "Remembering Forest Grove".

The highlight of reopening Forest Grove (including faithful re-creation of its interior) will be the newly completed museum film, “Remembering Forest Grove,” by award-winning and Emmy-nominated filmmakers Tammy and Kelly Rundle of Moline-based Fourth Wall Films. The 10-minute documentary was supported by five donors whose names appear in the opening credits.

More of the story at QuadCities.com by clicking HERE!

~ ~ ~

Here is how you can help support work on the documentary project, RESURRECTING FOREST GROVE:

To contribute, check out the cool "perks"offered, read up on details about the film project and campaign updates, click HERE. We accept donations of all levels, starting at $5!  

Thank you for considering supporting Resurrecting Forest Grove!  We are very grateful to all of our generous Sponsors & Supporters!

Filming an American Icon at Night - the Journey Continues

Forest Grove School No. 5 looks magnificent in the daylight during any season. It proved to look especially lovely at night.

Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films shot the restored schoolhouse from sunset until nightfall on an early October evening. The footage will be used in the Forest Grove School's new museum film and their new documentary feature Resurrecting Forest Grove.

The Rundles' are in post-production on the schoolhouse museum film and hope to have it wrapped in November.

Resurrecting Forest Grove's release date has been pushed to early 2022 due to the COVID pandemic.

"We are in fundraising mode again for the documentary," said producer Tammy Rundle. "The pandemic has had an impact on many film projects in production, and Resurrecting Forest Grove is among them."

"We are grateful to those who have been so supportive and generous during our fundraising campaign," said director Kelly Rundle. "We are focused on raising a portion of the matching funds for a grant to complete the post-production phase on the documentary project." 

Resurrecting Forest Grove will cinematically tell the dramatic true story behind the seemingly-impossible task of restoring a crumbling 1873 one-room school located in Bettendorf, Iowa to its 1920s appearance. Footage and interviews gathered over a seven-year period will illustrate the problems they faced and the solutions they employed as they attempted to bring this rural icon back to life. The surprises and successes of this challenging restoration project will be intercut with a vivid historical portrait of the 'Roaring 20s' in rural America.

The documentary project received partial funding from a grant award from Humanities Iowa.

Here is how you can help support work on the documentary project, RESURRECTING FOREST GROVE:

To contribute, check out the cool "perks"offered, read up on details about the film project and campaign updates, click HERE. We accept donations of all levels, starting at $5!  

Thank you for considering supporting Resurrecting Forest Grove!  We are very grateful to all of our generous Sponsors & Supporters!

Special Forest Grove School restoration presentation March 10 at Butterworth Center

The Moline Preservation Society will host a special program on Forest Grove School at the Butterworth Center. Award-winning film producers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films, and Sharon Andresen of Forest Grove School Preservation will give a special presentation at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10 on the restoration of historic Forest Grove School No. 5 and the new feature-length documentary Resurrecting Forest Grove, now in production.  The Butterworth Center Library is located at 1105 8th St., Moline, Illinois.

The Rundles first visited Forest Grove School in Bettendorf, Iowa in 2009 while filming snow scenes for their Emmy® nominated historical documentary Country School: One Room – One Nation. The school appeared to be on the brink of collapse and unrestorable.

In 2012, a small group of local preservationists headed by project coordinator Sharon Andresen decided the 1873 Forest Grove School No. 5. could, and should, be saved.

The Rundles’ Resurrecting Forest Grove, will cinematically tell the dramatic true story behind the seemingly-impossible task of restoring the vintage one-room school to its 1920s appearance. Footage and interviews gathered over a seven-year period will depict the problems they faced and the solutions they employed as they attempted to bring this rural icon back to life. The surprises and successes of this challenging restoration project are intercut with a vivid historical portrait of the 'Roaring 20s' in rural America.

"It has been an exciting experience to watch and document the ‘resurrection’ of Forest Grove over the past seven years,” said producer Tammy Rundle. “It took a dedicated and hard-working group of visionaries to bring the school back to life. It is an inspirational story that will make you think twice about saying, ‘It can’t be done.’"

Resurrecting Forest Grove received partial funding from Humanities Iowa and is slated for release in 2021.  For more information about the new documentary, visit www.ForestGroveMovie.com and the film's Facebook fan page.

Fourth Wall Films is an award-winning and Emmy-nominated independent film and video production company formerly located in Los Angeles, and now based in Moline, Illinois.

HELP US MAKE THE FILM! To make a donation and add your name to the film credits and receive some great perks, visit: https://docublogger.typepad.com/resurrecting_forest_grove/crowdfunding-campaign.html.

"Who am I to whine?" Winter production continues on Forest Grove films

Resurrecting Forest Grove producers Tammy & Kelly Rundle of Fourth Wall Films spent several brutal cold February days filming winter scenes for their new documentary feature film and for the newly restored School's museum film. 

"We were waiting for a fresh snow fall at the school's location," said producer/writer Tammy Rundle. "In addition, we wanted a bright blue sky and sunshine." It was 8 degrees outside with a windchill of -15, when the day arrived with all of the 'elements' satisfied.

It wasn't the first time the Rundles found themselves in frigid conditions while filming Forest Grove. In 2009, the couple drove out to the delapidated one-room school in the country during a blizzard to gather footage for their award-winning and Emmy-nominated documentary Country School: One Room - One Nation.

"The snow and ice were pelting my face while I filmed the decaying building," said director/writer Kelly Rundle. "We seriously thought it was the last time we would see the school standing. It looked like it could fall in on itself at any moment, and the brisk wind that day made it seem even more precarious."

But, that was not the case.  After seven years of fundraising and intense restoration work by volunteers and preservationists with Forest Grove School Preservation, the historic Forest Grove School No. 5 is set to open for public tours early this summer.  The Rundles have been documenting the restoration progress from the beginning.

"On a day like today, with that bitter wind stinging your face, your eyes tearing up, and the cold cutting through your clothes, you really consider your sanity," said Tammy. "But then again, look at that shot! It was worth it! Besides, there are a lot of people who worked in all kinds of weather to bring Forest Grove back to life. So, who am I to whine?"

HELP US MAKE THE FILM! To make a donation and add your name to the film credits and receive some great perks, visit: https://docublogger.typepad.com/resurrecting_forest_grove/crowdfunding-campaign.html.