MedinaTV and the City of Medina are excited to partner on celebrating the 250th anniversary of our country. Throughout the upcoming year we will be airing documentaries and videos showing the rich history of our country and the City of Medina. We would like to provide you the opportunity to watch these videos at your convenience and on the format you choose. Below is a list of these documentaries and videos and where you can watch them.
Documentaries:
America 250 Episode 6
America 250 in the City of Medina – Stories from Early Medina presented by Roger Smalley. Join Roger Smalley for part 2 of his presentation telling the early stories of our country and Medina.
America 250 Episode 5
Roger Smalley presentation on the Underground Railroad
Join Roger Smalley for this presentation on the history of the Underground Railroad here in Medina.
America 250 Episode 4
Porter’s Shoe Repair, The Story of a Medina Treasure.
This small shoe repair shop holds a monumental place in our community’s heart. Founded by Robert Porter in 1956, this family-run institution served Medina for nearly seven decades until 2025. Beyond repairing footwear, the shop served as a gathering place where thousands of lives were touched and lasting connections were made. Though the old building is gone, the legacy of Porter’s Shoe Repair is permanently etched into the fabric of Medina’s history.
America 250 Episode 3
Celebrating Black History with Reverend Cornell Carter.
This video honors the legacies and profound contributions of four transformative leaders: Harriet Tubman, Wilda Bell Howard, Frederick Douglass, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Each of these individuals serves as a powerful testament to what is possible when courage meets conviction. By overcoming immense adversity, they paved the way for future generations. Join us as we celebrate Black History and the enduring impact of these pioneers.
America 250 Episode 1:
The story of Medina’s beginnings traces our history back to an Indian trail that later became a military highway. This route formed Medina’s first road—Smith Road—and became the framework upon which the early community was built. In this documentary, we explore the development of
Medina as a pioneer village, examining the key pieces of the puzzle that gave the town a foothold into the future.
Director, Miles Reed.
America 250 Episode 2:
The Connecticut Land Company drew up the allotments and designated a New England–style town square for Medina. The establishment of stores, banks, and mills were important steps that provided stability to the early settlement. The Erie Canal also had a significant impact on the people of Medina. Reform movements began to grow, such as the Temperance movement, but it was Medina’s strong stand for the abolition of slavery that truly defined the
town during this period. One of Medina’s first lawyers, Charles Olcott, wrote a book on abolition and read it aloud in Congress. This was not his only claim to fame—Olcott also held the patent for the invention of the metallic ship. Prior to this time, all ships and water vessels were made of wood.
Director, Miles Reed
America 250 Presentation 1:
To commemorate the United States of America’s 250th Anniversary, the City of Medina is hosting a year-long celebration honoring not just the anniversary of the founding of the United States, but also the contributions the citizens of Medina have made to our nation’s past, present, and future.
America 250 in the City of Medina – Stories from Early Medina.
A presentation hosted by Roger Smalley at the Medina Library on January 10, 2026