History Lives in Hot Springs
Video Production
Brief
SixtyOne Celsius partnered with Visit Hot Springs to produce History Lives, a documentary-style video and article series celebrating the rich and colorful past of Hot Springs, Arkansas. The series explores the city’s evolution from its early days as America’s First Federal Reservation, known for its therapeutic hot springs, to its legendary “Gangster Era” of the 1930s and 1940s. Each episode dives into defining chapters of the city’s story—the Golden Age of Bathing, the rise of Bathhouse Row, and the lives of iconic figures such as blues singer Bessie Smith, who penned Hot Springs Blues, and former mayor Leo McLaughlin, famous for his flair and political showmanship. SixtyOne Celsius provided complete creative direction, including research and script writing, video production, and editing, transforming the city’s storied past into engaging, cinematic storytelling.
How We Helped
- Concept Development
- Copywriting & Research
- Video Production & Direction
- Editing & Post-Production
- Sound Engineering & Editing
Results
The History Lives series brings Hot Springs’ unique heritage to a wider audience, deepening appreciation for the city’s cultural identity while driving engagement across Visit Hot Springs’ digital platforms. The videos and companion articles have consistently performed among the organization’s top content, generating strong viewership, shares, and impressions across social media and increased traffic to the Visit Hot Springs website. By blending historical storytelling with modern production techniques, SixtyOne Celsius helped position Hot Springs as not only a destination for relaxation and entertainment—but also as a hub of authentic American history. The series continues to strengthen the city’s brand as a one-of-a-kind destination where history, culture, and tourism live side by side.