SARANAC LAKE — As part of the Saranac Village at Will Rogers’ Road to Retirement series, at 1 p.m. next Wednesday, Jim Griebsch will present “Hotel Hope,” a film about the history of the Will Rogers’ Memorial Hospital, where tuberculosis patients from the entertainment industry came for treatment.

Historic Saranac Lake contracted with Griebsch to produce this historical film. The special historian for Will Rogers Memorial Hospital, Leslie Hoffman, provided research assistance. Caroline Welsh, director emerita of the Adirondack Museum, and art and museum consultant, assisted with research and sequencing of the film. Originally planned to be a short film of less than 15 minutes, the project grew into a longer film. It will feature original film footage and contemporary interviews with former patients and employees of the hospital.

“It’s an incredible story,” said Historic Saranac Lake Executive Director Amy Catania. “As a center for TB treatment and scientific research, Saranac Lake attracted tens of thousands of people from around the world with diverse talents. This film tells the fascinating story of the workers in the entertainment industry who suffered from tuberculosis.”

A major grant from the Will Rogers Motion Pictures Pioneers Foundation supported the production of this film.

“We are honored to be hosting this special movie,” said Jamie Whidden, Saranac Village at Will Rogers executive director. “It has been a wonderful experience for the staff here to work with the movie producer to help facilitate the creation of a film that features former hospital employees and patients. Through this process we have learned more about our past while focusing on staying true to the roots of service, entertainment and connection that made this a great hospital in the past and a wonderful place to retire today.”

The Road to Retirement series features programs that serve to further educate and engage communities, offering speakers related to discovering the path others have taken to retirement, and teaches about the opportunities, services and resources that can help people retire successfully and happily. This program is free and open to all fully vaccinated members of the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Debbie Kanze at 518-891-7117 or visit www.saranacvillage.com.