Three opportunities to experience the story of Dresden 1957

This summer, the Dresden 1957 team will be taking part in three public events in Chatham-Kent, including a week-long storefront exhibit and a special presentation on the 69th anniversary of the tragedy.

These events offer a chance to learn more about the six Dutch immigrant workers who lost their lives, see historical material connected with the story and hear how this forgotten event is being brought to the screen as a feature documentary.

Dresden Market Fair — July 25

Our first stop will be the Dresden Market Fair on Saturday, July 25, from 3 to 9 p.m.

Members of the filmmaking team will be there to meet visitors, share information about the documentary and discuss the history behind the project.

The Dresden Market Fair will take place at:

1244 North Street, Dresden, Ontario

Tragedy Forgotten: Exhibit opening Turns & Tales — August 9

Join us for the opening or our exhibit at Turns & Tales in downtown Chatham from 3pm to 5pm on Sunday, August 9.

Be among the first to see the new exhibit, Tragedy Forgotten: Dresden 1957. Meet the filmmakers, enjoy refreshments and explore historical artifacts, archival material and interpretive displays telling the story of the disaster, the six Dutch immigrant workers who died, and the circumstances that brought them to Dresden. The exhibit will also look at the larger context of Dutch postwar immigration to Canada and the vulnerability faced by many newcomers as they tried to build new lives here.

Tragedy Forgotten: Dresden 1957 will run from August 9 through 16

Turns & Tales is located at: 213 King Street West, Chatham, Ontario

Admission is free. The exhibit will be open daily during store hours.

Anniversary presentation at the Capitol Theatre — August 14

On Friday, August 14, the 69th anniversary of the disaster, director Eric Philpott will present the story of Dresden 1957 in the Rotary Lounge at the Capitol Theatre.

Doors will open at 6 p.m., with a cash bar and an opportunity to meet members of the filmmaking team. The presentation will begin at 6:55 p.m.

At 7 p.m., the time the excavation collapsed on August 14, 1957, the audience will observe a moment of silence for the six men who died.

The presentation will then take audiences through the discovery of the story, the historical investigation that followed and the process of bringing it to the screen

The presentation will conclude at 8:30 p.m.

The Capitol Theatre is located at: 238 King Street West, Chatham, Ontario

Admission is free.

Why these events matter

With a project like this, it is easy to become absorbed in the filmmaking process, but spending time in the places where these events unfolded—and listening to the people who live there—is essential to telling this story well.

The Dresden disaster was once front-page news across Canada and the Netherlands, yet today the story is virtually unknown. These public events are part of our effort to bring that history back into view, honour the six men who died and create opportunities for people in the community to share their own memories and connections.

The exhibit and presentation are being presented with support from seven Chatham-Kent councillors who contributed Ward Funding to the Dresden 1957 project.

We hope you will join us.

Senior editor Joe Crawford speaking with a visitor at a previous public event, the Chatham-Kent Heritage Day.

Copyright Eric Philpott, 2025