Wharton Field House in Moline has a rich, colorful history. And it seems most people have their own stories and memories centering on the grand old building.
The makers of a new documentary on the classic building want to hear those stories. WQPT is currently producing a local documentary that will give voice to a building with many stories to tell.
The documentary is scheduled to air at 7 p.m. Friday, April 26, on WQPT PBS. But before that happens, filmmakers want help telling the story. They are inviting everyone to share their personal experiences, photographs, historical posters, trophies, artifacts and other items from events, concerts or games held at Wharton Field House by Sunday, March 31.
To share those stories, photos and more, go here.
“This documentary will feature Wharton Field House’s rich history by showcasing some of the amazing stories that occurred within its walls,” according to information from WQPT.
Also, people can also be part of the project by making a financial contribution to help support the production of this local documentary. Donations can be mailed to WQPT, 3300 River Drive, Moline. For additional information, call (309) 764-2400 or visit: wqpt.org/wharton.
Wharton Field House opened in 1928 with a basketball game between Moline High School and Kewanee High School. It has also hosted royalty, and musical guests, including Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, The Byrds, and Tommy Dorsey’s Orchestra. Plus, numerous notable guests, including Michelle Obama, Jack Benny, Hulk Hogan and Barry Goldwater.
“Much more than a structure, Wharton Field House is beloved by many, where games have been won and lost, couples have become engaged, and generations of families have spent their Friday and Saturday nights – it’s a place where communities come together,” according to a news release from WQPT.
Recently, the history of Wharton Field House has been generating a lot of interest in the community. Diann Moore, a lifelong Moline resident and member of the Moline Preservation Society, co-authored the book, “A Century of Players, Performers, and Pageants: Wharton Field House and Browning Field, Moline, Illinois.”
“She is speaking in local venues, and sharing her presentation about the things they learned while writing the book,” Terry Wilson, director of marketing and development at WQPT, said in an email to the QCBJ. “As a local public television station, WQPT is in a unique position to bring these types of meaningful local stories to life in long-form documentaries.”
Mr. Wilson added that capturing historical stories like this is important to pursue while elder historians in the community are available to share their memories. “Unfortunately, our community has already lost several local historians, including Curtis C. Roseman, Diann’s co-author of the book. We also are working with Greg VanVooren who co-authored the book ‘100 years of Moline Basketball.’ His co-author, Jack Dye, has passed away as well,” he said.
“We have received many personal stories from those who attended events throughout the years. However, we have not yet received as many personal photos or video assets to help us share these stories visually,” Mr. Wilson said.
As a public media service of Western Illinois University, WQPT PBS actively serves a diverse audience throughout the West Central Illinois and Eastern Iowa region.
