Bucyrus celebrated the Lincoln Highway and President Eisenhower's legacy as filmmaker Dr. Gregory Maassen presented his new hour-long documentary "After Ike: A Convoy That Changed America."
The film is based on "After Ike," a book by U.S. Ambassador Michael Owen, who is also the film's director and script writer.
The sold-out event drew a full house of 150 guests.
Hosted by Hord Farms, the screening marked the official launch of Ohio’s film focus for the AMERICA 250 Celebration, commemorating the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
The Crawford County History Alliance co-sponsored the sold-out event, which drew a full house of 150 guests.
From Left to Right: Dr. Gregory F. Maassen, Elaine Naples, and Jim Cassler.
Among those attending were Elaine Naples, Crawford County History Alliance, Todd Kleismit, Executive Director of the Ohio Commission for the U.S. Semiquincentennial, Rebecca Brown Asmo, Executive Director of Ohio Humanities, and Jim Gerstenslager and Jim Cassler, representing the Lincoln Highway Association.
Mr. Todd Kleismit, Executive Director of the Ohio Commission for the U.S. Semiquincentennial.
Dr. Maassen introduced the film by reflecting on the 1919 U.S. Army convoy that inspired Dwight D. Eisenhower’s vision for the modern interstate highway system.
A postcard of "The Great American Crossroads" mural at Millennium Park in Bucyrus, painted by artist Eric Grohe.
Ohio is prominently featured in the documentary, with compelling segments filmed in Van Wert, Mifflin, Dalton, and Hanford Village, and a moving highlight of The Great American Crossroads mural at Millennium Park in Bucyrus, painted by artist Eric Grohe.
Homemade cookies baked from Mamie Eisenhower’s original recipe.
Guests enjoyed a full dinner and homemade cookies baked from Mamie Eisenhower’s original recipe, adding a personal historical touch to an evening that was as flavorful as it was inspiring.
Representatives of Crawford County History Alliance with Filmmaker Dr. Gregory F. Maassen and Elaine Naples of the Aliiance in the front of the image.
The event was incredibly well organized, blending community pride, history, and hospitality into a memorable celebration that reaffirmed Ohio’s vital place in America’s journey—past, present, and future—as part of the AMERICA 250 commemoration.
See also: https://crawfordcountynow.com/local/after-ike-documentary-brings-national-spotlight-to-bucyrus/