Contact: Matt Conrad
412 341-4272 or matt@argentineproductions.com
CROSSING TIME:THE WHEELING SUSPENSION BRIDGE TO AIR ON PUBLIC
TELEVISION VIA AMERICAN PUBLIC TELEVISION SERVICE
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WORLD’S LONGEST BRIDGE WHEN BUILT, ITS UNUSUAL STORY INCLUDES
A DRAMATIC COLLAPSE DURING A WINDSTORM
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The Wheeling Suspension Bridge was the longest in the world when it was built more
than 150 years ago, and it quickly gained acclaim as an engineering marvel. It
established the pattern for America’s technological prowess that would lead to the
construction of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge. Available to public
television stations across the country, via the American Public Television Service
(APTVS), Crossing Time: The Wheeling Suspension Bridge tells the story of the
development of this historic bridge’s design, its dramatic collapse, and rebuilding.
The story of the bridge is about the opening up of the western frontier, the rivalry
between two great architects, and two great cities. Narrated by David Hartman, the
program features local and national historians who relate the colorful history of the
bridge, and the controversies surrounding it. It was the first bridge to cross the Ohio
River, allowing the National Road, America’s first interstate highway, to move forward.
It has carried pioneer families heading west, slaves escaping to the free state of Ohio,
Civil War soldiers and World War 2 convoys. The Wheeling Bridge is a National
Historic Landmark, and is considered to be the most important pre-Civil War engineering
structure in the United States.
The program tells the story of the rivalry between John Roebling and Charles Ellet Jr., a
self taught engineer. Ellet won the design contract, but for many years a plaque on the
bridge mistakenly attributed its design to Roebling.
The Bridge was also the focal point for a rivalry between Pittsburgh and Wheeling, as
Steamboats heading to Pittsburgh had to lower their smokestacks to pass under it.
Eventually the dispute between the two cities went all the way to the Supreme Court.
The dramatic collapse of the bridge in a windstorm in 1854 had parallels with the
Tacoma Narrows bridge collapse captured on film 100 years later. A reporter for The
Wheeling Intelligencer described the collapse of the Wheeling Bridge: “For a few
moments we watched it with breathless anxiety, lunging like ship in the storm. At one
time it rose to nearly the height of the towers, then fell, and twisted and writhed, and was
dashed almost bottom upward.”
In 1999, the bridge was renovated, but remarkably, its original suspension cables--more
than 150 years old-- still carry its load. To celebrate the bridge’s renovation and
significance, the International Conference on Historic Bridges met on the bridge in 1999,
an event documented in the program. Don Fraser, a professor from the University of
New South Wales describes why he came to see the bridge: “America’s the place for
suspension bridges and here we are to see one of the great ones...and a survivor too.
That’s most important!”
Photographed during its renovation and throughout the seasons, the program’s
cinematography captures the graceful beauty of the bridge in many lights. With original
music, historical photographs, and dramatic reenactments, Crossing Time is an
entertaining and informative half hour about a little known bridge that played a
significant role in our nation’s history. The program was nominated for a regional
EMMY® in 2001. It was produced, written and directed by Peter Argentine of Argentine
Productions creates. The company has created numerous award-winning award-winning
broadcast documentaries, IMAX films, and videos for museums on subjects dealing with
American history, culture, science, and the environment. Crossing Time is available in
home video by calling 1 800 672-9672.
West Virginia Public Broadcasting advances education, culture and citizenship through
high-quality programming and services. West Virginia Public Radio, West Virginia PBS,
wvpubcast.org and Ready to Learn are all services of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
The distributor for this program is American Public Television (APT), a
major source of programming for the nation's public television stations.
APT has more than 10,000 hours of available programming including
Discovering the Real World of Harry Potter, Globe Trekker, Nightly Business
Report, The Three Tenors Christmas and much more. APT is known for identifying
innovative programs and developing creative distribution techniques for producers. For
40 years, it has established a tradition of providing program choices that enable public
TV stations to strengthen and customize their schedules. Press should contact Donna
Hardwick at 617-338-4455 ext. 129 or via email to donna-hardwick@aptvs.org. For
more information, go to www.aptonline.org.
FAST FACTS
ON THE WHEELING SUSPENSION BRIDGE
•
Accounts of the Wheeling Suspension Bridge collapse in 1854 were wired around
the world.
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The bridge was rebuilt in forty days, using the original cables--which still support
it today.
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Charles Ellet’s proposal for Wheeling (1010 ft.) pushed the limits of suspension
technology, and would exceed the world’s record by 140 feet.
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In the bridge’s first two weeks it conveyed: 2,336 travellers on foot (many of
them pioneers heading west), 1,680 wagons, 387 travellers on horseback, and 766
animals in droves.
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Tolls were established: For foot passengers, five cents for round trip; man and
horse, ten cents; six-horse wagon, fifteen cents; hogs and sheep, two cents per head.
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Ironically, John A. Roebling was mistakenly given credit for the design of the
Wheeling Suspension bridge. The error was discovered in 1969, and Charles Ellet Jr.
finally received due credit for his innovative work.
•
The Wheeling and Belmont Bridge Company was chartered by the Virginia
legislature to link Wheeling to the untapped resources of the West by building a bridge
across the Ohio River.
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Many of the thirteen thousand residents of Wheeling would put their faith in the
future of the city by purchasing stock in this new venture at $25 per share.
•
The bridge fell into disrepair and was almost demolished in the 1970's but was
saved by a community effort.
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