Ashes in My Neighborhood is a three-part documentary series that follows Maria, a Puerto Rican historian and lifelong resident of Holyoke, as she explores the long-term impacts of a series of devastating fires that swept through South Holyoke in the 1970s. The series connects personal memory, community trauma, and historical investigation, looking at how the fires affected residents politically, environmentally, and psychologically. From the 1970s to the 1980s, Holyoke was known as the arson capital of the US. Block after block went up in flames as poor housing conditions, greedy landlords, and opportunistic urban planners collaborated to displace Boricuas. The series unfolds in three parts:
- “A Personal Reflection” - Maria talks about her experience living in South Holyoke during 1970s fires
- “Uncovering Whose Responsible” - Maria investigates the South Holyoke fire history at Wistariahurst Museum
- “Roundtable Conversation” - Maria sits with community experts to discuss the longstanding impacts of the fires
