UTICA — Local filmmaker Dennis Dewey debuted his new documentary movie “Mr. Dickens Comes to Utica” live and in person Saturday in a pair of showings at The Oneida County History Center.

“This is very heartening for me,” Dewey said of the film premiere. “It was a lot of work, so I am very much like an expectant father waiting for twins to be born.”

Dewey, an OCHC volunteer, said he learned about the March 17, 1868, visit of the famed 19th century author thanks to a newspaper article by noted local history writer Frank Tomaino.

He was intrigued to read that Dickens once made an unplanned 18-hour layover in Utica while heading by train from Rochester to Albany, thanks to flooding that made the rails impassable.

“It was quite by accident,” Dewey said. “It was a ‘stealth’ visit — he was here and then he was gone.”

Dickens’ unexpected stay at Bagg’s Hotel caused quite a stir among the locals, Dewey said. A ledger from the hotel was on display at the OCHC, bearing the written name of Dickens. But whether the author himself signed it, or if simply a hotel clerk wrote that name in the book, is a question to this day.

Dewey began work researching the film last December, spending more than 300 hours to complete the nearly 40-minute film.

There are few photos existing from the era, but Dewey reconstructed the scenes with an authentic feel and even brought in a Dickens re-enactor to offer his own personal “Dickens” touch.

Tim Coombs, dressed in Dickens attire for the event, was introduced to the audience by Dewey. Coombs said he was happy to be a part of it.

“I really enjoyed it,” he recalled. “We shot all of my scenes in one morning, so it was a whirlwind day.”

OCHC Executive Director Rebecca McLain appreciated all of the people who came out to support the film debut.

“We are really excited to have this big turnout today,” she said. “We’ve had some really nice feedback on this and it was nice to see the support and interest in the subject.”

The film will be available to the public on the OCHC YouTube page. For more information, visit www.oneidacountyhistory.org.