Jacksonville State University

« Back to Recent News

New Documentary by Jax State's Longleaf Studios to Premier on Alabama Public Television

"Riding Through History: The Barber Collection,"

by Seth Johnson

Jacksonville, AL (04/24/2024) — The latest documentary produced by Jax State's Longleaf Studios, "Riding Through History: The Barber Collection," will air on Alabama Public Television on Thursday, April 25, at 8:00 p.m. The one-hour film recalls the captivating story of George Barber and his Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum premiering just ahead of one of the biggest events of the year at Barber Motorsports Park, the IndyCar Grand Prix.

Recognized by Guiness World Records as the largest motorcycle museum in the world, the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum has made a huge impact on Alabama's economy, generating over 2.5 billion dollars since the museum's inception. As a cultural hub and a beacon for motorsport enthusiasts worldwide, the museum is well known for its exciting, family-friendly atmosphere, the IndyCar Grand Prix of Alabama and the annual Barber Vintage Festival, putting Alabama on the map as a cultural lifeblood for motorsports.

Riding Through History: The Barber Collection captures the complicated history behind the rise of the largest philanthropic endeavor in Alabama history. The documentary takes viewers on an intriguing evolution from George Barber's humble beginnings riding alongside his father on a milk truck to his triumphs on the racetrack. Riding Through History: The Barber Collection vividly paints a portrait of a man driven by his passion for motorsports, allowing viewers to witness the transformation of a Birmingham warehouse collection into an incredible museum with a state-of-the-art racetrack, "The Alabama Roller Coaster," that has attracted collaborations with renowned automotive brands like Porsche and Mercedes-Benz.

More than a documentary, Riding Through History: The Barber Collection is a testament to the indomitable spirit of one man and the enduring legacy he has created.

Riding Through History: The Barber Collection is a production of Jacksonville State University's Longleaf Studios in collaboration with Illuminate Films. Housed in the Jax State College of Arts, Humanities, and Sciences, Longleaf Studios is a university-based production studio that provides students the opportunity to gain real-world experience working on the set of actual productions with partnering professional filmmakers. The unit serves as an experiential learning space for the university's Bachelor of Arts in Film program, an interdisciplinary major that includes courses from the Theatre and Film, Art and Design, and English departments.

"Our partnership with APT in producing the Longleaf Series of films is an immensely valuable experience for our students, providing experiential learning opportunities in the field and through post-production processes," said Seth Johnson, director of Jax State's Longleaf Studios, executive producer of the documentary and Associate Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Sciences. "Mr. Barber's vision turned into reality is a motivating story that can resonate with all Alabamians, and Jax State is excited to share this engaging story with everyone."

About Jacksonville State University: Founded in 1883 as a state teachers college, Jacksonville State University has grown from humble beginnings into the Alabama regional university with the highest percentage of accredited programs. Located in the Appalachian foothills midway between Birmingham and Atlanta, Jax State offers more than 150 courses of study, including over 40 online programs, at the undergraduate and graduate level. To learn more, visit www.jsu.edu, call 1-800-231-JAX1 or e-mail jaxfacts@jsu.edu.

Media Attachments

The latest documentary produced by Jax State’s Longleaf Studios, "Riding Through History: The Barber Collection."

Copyright © 2025 Merit Pages, Inc. • All Rights Reserved. • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy • Opt Out