A Place Worth Saving: The Story of the Central West End

Nine PBS takes a bold and deep dive into the history of the Central West End with a one-hour documentary that includes interviews with the living heroes and visionaries behind its rebirth, an archive of oral histories, and a lavishly illustrated book.

Using our unique capabilities, we are proud to tell the epic story of one of the most well-known and beloved neighborhoods in St. Louis. The film weaves together first-hand accounts, rare archival photos, and never-before-seen aerial drone footage.

The lovingly produced and beautifully edited A Place Worth Saving: The Story of the Central West End includes interviews with preservationists, developers, politicians, business owners, journalists, residents, and medical, school, and church officials.

The film chronicles the rise of a neighborhood whose very existence was threatened in the name of urban progress. It examines how lessons from the past can inform the future.

Place Worth Saving: The Story of the Central West End was made possible by the generous support of Dr. William H. Danforth, Dan and Connie Burkhardt, and Constance and John McPheeters.

Thursday, December 29, 8 pm on Nine PBS and livestream.

Central West End - Oral History

Watch interviews collected for the making of the documentary film A Place Worth Saving: The Story of the Central West End. In the most comprehensive oral history of the Central West End in existence, the innovators, big thinkers and prime movers tell the story in their own words. View the archive.