Short film details the life of McGuffey

Staff report

A 20-minute documentary film about the life of William Holmes McGuffey (1800-1873) is available for purchase.

The DVD traces McGuffey’s life in the Mahoning Valley, his career as “America’s Schoolmaster” and creator of the McGuffey Reader, and his contributions to literacy. It also touches on the efforts of the William Holmes McGuffey Historical Society to keep his legacy alive.

The film was commissioned by the WHMHS in honor of the group’s 55th anniversary. It was written, directed and filmed by Youngstown filmmaker Chris Rutushin, and produced by Richard S. Scarsella and Rutushin.

To order, send a $20 check or money order (includes shipping and handling) to the William Holmes McGuffey Historical Society, P.O. Box 9561, Youngstown, OH 44513. Include name, address, city, state, ZIP, phone and email. For information, call 330-726-8277.

The film includes interviews with Shirley Eckley, descendent of McGuffey and new WHMHS president; Sen. Harry Meshel, founding WHMHS member; Sister Jerome Corcoran, legendary local educator; Al Bright, nationally known artist and professor emeritus at Youngstown State University; Bill Farragher, president of Farragher and Associates and designer of the Youngstown Sheet & Tube logo; Tom Welsh, local historian and author; Regina Reese, YSU professor emeritus; and Scarsella, local historian and society chairman of the board of trustees.