Secrets of the Hollow

The twins and the camera will journey via the alleged Underground Railroad route as a framework for traveling throughout the towns to learn the secrets. The twins will make five stops in various sites in Rockland County gathering interviews, resources, to tell this compelling story. The camera will visit houses that claimed to harbor slaves. We will explore whether or not Rockland County was a pit stop on the Underground Railroad.

We will examine through experts the extraordinary and ordinary background, struggles, relationships and contributions of the blacks in Rockland County, and explore current day challenges in a post-racial society.

The name of the film is derived from the free black community of Skunk Hollow, founded by a former slave, Jack Earnest located along the New York, New Jersey state line that existed sixty years before slavery was abolished in New Jersey. The twins’ journey will begin with photographs and footage from the African Slave Market in the Wall Street area. The twin’s journey to the original home of Jack Earnest that is now St. Charles AME/Zion Church. We will read excerpts from the diary of John Gesner, Earnest’s former slave owner as we view photographs and artifacts from the Skunk Hollow community. We will visit Skunk Hollow and talk on site with an anthropologist to reveal what caused the demise of the community. We will talk with descendants of original Skunk Hollow residents. We will explore the issues of slavery in Rockland County and examine to what extent it existed and discover who were the biggest slave holders. We will examine blacks’ journey to freedom from slavery and the secret travel routes used by runaway slaves in the Underground Railroad. We will explore the secret connection between The Lenni Lenape Native Americans and blacks in the Ramapough Mountains. By revealing recently discovered historical records, the documentary will establish Rockland County as a pivotal place in American history.

Secrets of the Hollow will trace the steps of courageous African Americans determined to beat the odds against them and strive for freedom and a place in American society. We will contrast the past experiences with how African Americans have fared today in pursuit of the American dream.