Swimming in Dreamland explores the role that swimming pools play in the life of communities by chronicling the story of the massive Dreamland Pool in Portsmouth, Ohio. Bringing together multiple generations of swimmers, families, life guards, pool managers, and community leaders, the film brings to life an extraordinary gathering place for social interaction and collective joy. While swimming pools were at the center of American society and culture for some, they were not open to everyone. Through first-person accounts, the film also tells the story of civil rights actions in the 1960’s to desegregate Dreamland. Thriving through the 1980’s, Dreamland was sold and eventually destroyed in the 1990’s. Reflecting on the loss of the pool and its impact over generations, the film follows Kenova, West Virginia’s efforts to preserve its own Dreamland Pool amidst changing culture, technology, and financial pressures.
