History Detectives
“History Detectives,” now in its sixth season, has become one of the most popular and respected shows on PBS. Each one-hour segment features three episodes, mostly drawn from viewers’ questions. Each episode investigates a material object --- a letter, a drawing, an artifact, a building or site, and many other things --- that in turn raises major issues about American history. The topics range widely: presidential politics, ethnic and racial inequalities, local legends, and icons of popular culture. The tangible object helps keep the investigation focused as we confront conflicting evidence, diverse opinions and some frustrating dead-ends. This is the first time television has shown history as historians do it, with elusive possibilities and on-going questions. The regular season runs from June through September, though local PBS stations often feature re-runs.
Body in the Basement, Gwen, producer Jorge Aguirre and the film crew
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