*Re-posted here on this date from an earlier, personal writing.
October 8, 2015. I'm driving across the country. I haven't done this since early childhood, when the stories I was telling were the ones I was making up. This time, I'm trying to chase someone else's story, uncover its truths, and discover how to tell it.
The first big stop will be Detroit, where my grandfather, Albert, grew up the wealthy son and nephew of celebrated architects and engineers. Those days have been lost in the rubble to which some of the Kahn buildings around the city have been reduced. But I expect to find echoes of the stark contrast between my rebellious grandfather and the generation of his uncle (and namesake) within the written pages of his personal library.
I haven't seen my grandfather's collection of papers and memorabilia in many years. When I was in high school, it was moved from his former writing study in Glen Ellen, CA and donated to the Wisconsin Historical Society (working in connection with the University of Wisconsin), in Madison, the second stop on this trip. At the time, I photocopied as much as I could before his boxes were packed and shipped. I don't yet know the whole of what I'll unearth when reunited with his files, but I know that fresh discoveries await. And that has me leaning forward in the passenger seat as my friend's old Mercedes races us closer and closer to the next chapter.
- Ben Kahn, Executive Producer