On Friday, June 15 at 7 p.m. at the Mariposa Museum in Peterborough, NH, Jim Howard will show his film, Legacy, a documentary on family businesses that have been handed down over many generations.  Two of the subjects of his film are Edmunds Hardware in Antrim and Henniker, and Great Brook Farm in Walpole (operated by 9 generations of the Graves family since 1761).  Members of these families will join Jim for a conversation about the film and family business.

There is a direct impact on our communities when we lose the family enterprises that bind communities and help sustain and preserve the historical traditions, art forms, skills, leadership and economy.  Today only 30% of family-owned businesses survive the transition from founder to the 2nd generation, marking an alarming decline in recent years. Only 12% of family-owned businesses are still viable into the 3rd generation with a mere 3% operating into the 4th generation and beyond. Our communities are losing the strong economic and social impact that these sturdy multigenerational businesses, that have grown steadily through several generations, provide.

This documentary portrays the dreams, stories, and future prospects of families running enterprises over multiple generations.  Legacy was produced as part of the Family Business Project of the Hannah Grimes Center in Keene.  Charge is $7 non-member, $5 member.