ICONIC AMERICA

Our Symbols And Stories With David Rubenstein

New WETA co-production premieres Wednesdays starting April 26 at 10 p.m. on WETA PBS & WETA Metro and streams on the PBS App

How did American icons, symbols and places come to be associated with particular ideas, take on significance, and become nearly universal in public consciousness — and what do changing interpretations of their meaning indicate about our society? The new history series Iconic America: Our Symbols and Stories with David Rubenstein, developed and brought to a nationwide audience in partnership with WETA, seeks to find out, illuminating fascinating American history as it examines the stories behind iconic national symbols across the country and traces the arc of their resonance.

Guiding the inquiries in the eight-episode series is David Rubenstein — co-founder of The Carlyle Group, patriotic philanthropist, lifelong student of history, and the series’ host and executive producer. With a unique mix of curiosity, engagement and wry humor, he spotlights indelible artifacts, locations, and archetypes — and how Americans identify with them. Four April and May episodes spotlight Fenway Park, the Hollywood Sign, the Gadsden Flag, and the Cowboy, and an additional four episodes in July and August feature the Statue of Liberty, the American Bald Eagle, Stone Mountain, and the Golden Gate Bridge.

In each episode, Rubenstein visits special places around the country to meet and engage with historical thinkers, community members, and subject matter experts. Together, they dive deeply into each symbol’s story and how its meaning has changed over time, using these icons as a gateway to understanding America’s past and present.

A proponent of civics and history education in the United States, Rubenstein highlights the value of sharing the nation’s stories. “I’ve long been struck by the strength of American symbols while saddened by how little we know about them,” said Rubenstein. “Our goal with this series is to explore the history and meaning of these iconic symbols and to better understand the bigger issues and societal currents they reveal.”

Spotlighting the icons, the series engages with complex and difficult questions that arise, probing how these manifestations of our history are sometimes highly contested as different groups invest them — and at times freight them — with distinct meanings. The symbols that endure speak to what a society values and how people see themselves, and they help us to contextualize a nation’s shared past in the present moment.

In the programs, Rubenstein’s quest for a deeper understanding of these symbols takes him to an array of regions and communities, from Boston to San Francisco and New York to Oklahoma City. He conducts interviews with historians and history makers from the worlds of sports, politics, entertainment, and academia, including David “Big Papi” Ortiz (former Red Sox player) and Lake Iolani Stevens (Women’s Ranch Bronc Champion); Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-SC) and former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL); Sylvester Stallone (actor, screenwriter, and filmmaker) and Melissa Rivers (writer, host, and producer); and Hasan Kwame Jeffries (associate professor of history at The Ohio State University) and Michael Boulware Moore (founding president and former chief executive officer of the International African American Museum).

Essential to the project’s goals are the robust engagement and education campaigns designed to encourage people of all ages to explore local history. Eighteen PBS stations are developing companion content exploring iconic regional symbols. The Eureka, California station, for example, will celebrate the Redwood Tree. In Schenectady, immigration experts and residents will discuss New York as a place of refuge. Musical events in Nashville will highlight the experiences of BIPOC American cowboys. Some stations are exploring culture through events and digital content celebrating iconic foods, from the San Antonio puffy taco to the delights at the Iowa State Fair. Inspiring a new generation of history lovers, the project is also providing nationwide teacher trainings, virtual tours for classrooms, and expertly crafted lesson plans.

Iconic America: Our Symbols and Stories with David Rubenstein is a production of Show of Force, DMR Productions, and WETA. To learn more about the series, visit the project’s website at pbs.org/iconicamerica, which goes live in mid-April. Engage with the series on social media using the hashtag #IconicAmericaPBS.

Funding for Iconic America: Our Symbols and Stories with David Rubenstein is provided by The Zohar and Lisa Ben-Dov Family through the Luminescence Foundation.

Iconic America on WETA PBS & WETA Metro (repeats Sundays at 2 p.m. on WETA PBS, noon on WETA Metro)

April 26, 10 p.m. •

Fenway Park

Baseball is a favorite American pastime and obsession, and no ballpark is more iconic than Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. Experience the story of a city’s loyalty to its team and love for its ballpark through thick and thin.

May 3, 10 p.m. •

The Hollywood Sign

The Los Angeles landmark was erected in 1923 originally as a real estate advertisement. Learn about its history and how it has become an international symbol of fame, fortune, and the American Dream.

May 10, 10 p.m. •

The Gadsden Flag

The “Don’t Tread on Me” flag was once a potent symbol of independence. Discover how it has been co-opted by a variety of Americans over its long history.

May 17, 10 p.m. •

The Cowboy

The cowboy is the quintessential American — fiercely independent, brave and laconic. Hear about the myths and realities of this archetype, which remains as powerful as ever in the 21st century.

Upcoming episodes:

The Statue of Liberty, Wednesday, July 12 at 10 p.m.

The American Bald Eagle, Wednesday, July 19 at 10 p.m. Stone Mountain, Wednesday, July 26 at 10 p.m.

The Golden Gate Bridge, Wednesday, August 2 at 10 p.m.

New WETA travel series airs Mondays, April 3-May 22 at 9 p.m. on WETA PBS and 8 p.m. on WETA Metro; streams on the PBS App and weta.org

The mid-Atlantic region is a traveler’s paradise; within just a half-day’s drive of D.C., the possibilities for exploration and adventure are endless. With so many enticing options and historical riches, and so much natural beauty, it can be difficult to know where to go — and what to do when you get there. To help inspire a memorable getaway and provide a guide to great places to visit, WETA has created the new local television series Get Out of Town. The series features road trips to eight amazing areas near the nation’s capital, showcasing destinations in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

From the same production team behind If You Lived Here, WETA’s popular D.C.-area house-hunting and neighborhood series, Get Out of Town recommends places to stay, restaurants to try and activities for people with all kinds of interests and a variety of budgets. The fun new WETA production also introduces the residents, business owners, historians, guides, chefs, artists and others who make each of the road trip experiences special. Among the locations spotlighted are Southwest Pennsylvania; the Chesapeake Bay; Harpers Ferry, West Virginia; Deep Creek Lake in Maryland; the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia; and Philadelphia.

At the heart of the new series are its engaging co-hosts, D.C.-area mother-daughter duo Laurita Portee and Lauren Portee. In the premiere episode of the series, as they pass the lodge at Nemacolin Resort in the Laurel Highlands region of Pennsylvania, Laurita says to Lauren, “that’s where we stayed 15 years ago.”

It’s a little moment, easily missed, but it is part of the unusual alchemy of Get Out of Town. The series is unique among travel shows — there aren’t many mother-daughter hosting pairs in the travel television landscape; and the programs focus locally, spotlighting places around the region that viewers can easily explore for the first time or visit again.

Enthusiastic travelers, the hosts started foraying out on trips together in 2012. Laurita is retired, and her daughter Lauren recently finished a master’s of science degree in occupational therapy from Howard University. As they travel by car or train to their destinations in the programs, they at times revisit places they’ve been to before but find new activities, adventures and impressions awaiting them.

For example, the Richmond, Virginia episode, airing April 10, is a kind of homecoming. Laurita is a Richmond native and Lauren received her BS in psychology at the University of Richmond. The May 8 episode takes the pair to Charlottesville and the University of Virginia campus, where Laurita earned her degree in urban planning — and a full scholarship for track and field. So it’s no surprise that they’d meet up with family at a local restaurant in Richmond or tour familiar college landmarks in Charlottesville, but some of their activities, from historical tours to museum visits, give them the chance to discover how much has changed, and how much there is to do, even for returning visitors.

No matter where they go, though, Laurita and Lauren share an infectious joy for getting out and exploring together. They have different tastes in lodging; Lauren prefers hotels and their amenities while her mother loves quaint bed-and-breakfasts in small towns. Both are “foodies” and enjoy everything from a crab feast in St. Michaels, Maryland, to cheesesteaks in Philadelphia. And on their adventures, they push each other out of their respective comfort zones, especially when it comes to trying outdoor activities such as river rafting, kayaking, and urban bike tours.

In each episode, Laurita and Lauren’s excitement to be out on the road together and the intriguing destinations they visit are an invitation to WETA viewers to get out of town themselves, without ever having to get on a plane. Tune in to Get Out of Town each Monday from April 3 through May 22 at 9 p.m. on WETA PBS and 8 p.m. on WETA Metro. Episodes will be available each week to stream on the PBS app and at weta.org

DESTINATIONS:

April 3: Laurel Highlands, PA

Hosts Laurita and Lauren drive to southwest Pennsylvania to visit the Laurel Highlands region, where they soak up views of rolling hills, worldfamous architecture like Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, and local food and history.

April 10: Richmond, VA

Just a quick and affordable train ride away, Richmond, Virginia offers the hosts an art- and culture-filled adventure that includes museum visits, bike tours and delicious food.

April 17: St. Michaels, MD

Laurita and Lauren take to the water in the seaport town of St. Michaels, Maryland. They learn to sail, explore the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and crack local crabs for dinner.

April 24: Deep Creek Lake, MD

Mountain and water views abound on a visit to Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, where the hosts’ adventures include paddle boarding, kayaking and roller coaster rides.

May 1: Harpers Ferry, WV

Laurita and Lauren enjoy a thrilling and tasty visit to Harpers Ferry in West Virginia; their adventures include river rafting and bread-making.

May 8: Charlottesville, VA

A visit to Charlottesville, Virginia, offers a new perspective on Laurita’s former college town, as well as horseback riding, a visit to a nearby vineyard and a poignant personal tour of Monticello.

May 15: Philadelphia, PA

Cheesesteaks and history — plus a run up the famous Rocky steps — are on the itinerary as the hosts visit Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

May 22: Shenandoah Valley, VA

The mountains are calling in the season finale, which features Laurita and Lauren enjoying scenic views from high atop Skyline Drive and deep in Luray Caverns.

Dramas in April

TSundays, 8-11 p.m. on WETA PBS & WETA Metro; Thursdays on WETA PBS his month, the stellar Sunday-night drama lineup continues, as more new episodes of popular offerings Call the Midwife (8 p.m.) and Sanditon on Masterpiece (9 p.m.), and new presentation Marie Antoinette (10 p.m.), premiere on WETA PBS and WETA Metro. Stream the programs with WETA Passport. Call the Midwife and Marie Antoinette continue into May, but after Sanditon concludes, on April 30 at 9 p.m. the new Masterpiece production Tom Jones enters the drama bloc. The May WETA Magazine (in homes in late April) will spotlight the new series, but plan to tune in for the four-part adaptation of Henry Fielding’s classic novel, which follows the tale of a young man’s love for a wealthy heiress in 18th-century England. The cast includes (above) Sophie Wilde as Sophia Western and Solly McLeod as Tom Jones — alongside Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso), James Fleet, Shirley Henderson, Alun Armstrong, and a host of others.

On Thriller Thursdays in April, enjoy more classic episodes of Agatha Christie’s Marple, featuring Julia McKenzie (Cranford) in the iconic role of ultra-perceptive sleuth Miss Marple — joined by guest stars from the pantheon of U.K. acting greats. WETA PBS presents weekly double features of the mystery series.

Rubell Museum, Molly Smith and More on WETA Arts

HMonday, April 3 at 9:30 p.m. on WETA PBS; 8:30 p.m. on WETA Metro; stream on the PBS App osted by Felicia Curry, the April episode of WETA’s local arts showcase WETA Arts visits a new museum, meets an activist artist, and spotlights the outgoing artistic director of Arena Stage. First, tour the Rubell Museum, a new contemporary art museum located in Southwest D.C. Internationally renowned art collectors Don and Mera Rubell and their son Jason Rubell discuss their passion for art and the mission behind their museum. Next, meet aerialist, weaver, and installation artist Kirsty Little. Originally from London, Little now makes art inspired by feminist themes in her Mt. Rainier, Maryland studio. Then Felicia Curry visits the Arena Stage theater in Southwest D.C. to interview the company’s long-time artistic director, Molly Smith, who is retiring at the end of this theater season after 25 years and over 200 productions. WETA Arts repeats April 17 at 9:30 p.m. on WETA PBS; 8:30 p.m. weekly on WETA Metro.

Great Performances: Now Hear This, Series 4

AFridays at 9 p.m. in April on WETA PBS & WETA Metro; stream on the PBS App n ongoing Great Performances miniseries presents more musical explorations with host Scott Yoo (left), renowned violinist and conductor of the Mexico City Philharmonic. Airing on Friday nights in April, Now Hear This merges music, storytelling, travel and culture, as Yoo chases the secret histories of some of the greatest music ever written. Piazzolla’s History with Tango (April 7) visits Buenos Aires, Argentina with Yoo and flutist Alice Dade to explore the evolution of composer Astor Piazzolla’s work and the tango music genre itself as it becomes fused with jazz. Schumann: Genius and Madness (April 14) visits Scotland, Germany and France with Yoo as he investigates the connection between composer Robert Schumann’s bipolar disorder and creative genius. In Andy Akiho Found (his) Sound (April 21), experience the creation of music from the Japanese American composer using “found” instruments. And in Albéniz: Portraits of Spain (April 28), discover the inspirations Spain provided composer Isaac Albéniz — with Yoo, Scottish Grammy-winning guitarist David Russell, and musicians from Albéniz’s birthplace in the Pyrenees mountains as well as Sevilla, Mallorca and elsewhere.

My Grandparents’ War, Series 2

Tuesdays, April 11-May 2 at 9 p.m. on WETA PBS & WETA Metro; stream on the PBS App

Following on the May 2022 episodes of Series 1, a new season of My Grandparents’ War features a new quartet of celebrities retracing the footsteps of their elders and learning how World War II changed the lives of their families and the world. On April 11, follow actor Kit Harington, who has played soldiers, spies and warriors, as he discovers that his grandparents played comparable roles in their real lives during the war; he gains a new appreciation of their courage and sacrifice. On April 18, follow actor Keira Knightley as she learns of the extraordinary triumphs and tragedies her grandparents faced during some of the biggest conflicts of World War II. In the April 25 episode, watch actor Toby Jones uncover the stories of his maternal grandparents, who rarely spoke about their wartime hardships when he was growing up. Wrapping up Season 2, the May 2 episode features singersongwriter Emeli Sandé discovering her grandparents’ wartime courage spanning World War II, the Mau Mau insurgency in Kenya, and the fight for independence in Zambia.

La Frontera with Pati Jinich, Series 2

Mondays, April 3, 10 & 17, 10 p.m. on WETA PBS; stream on the PBS App

In a new season of the engaging culinary travel program, visit the U.S. borderlands with James Beard Award-winning chef Pati Jinich as she experiences the region’s culture, people and cuisine. Jinich, a resident of the national capital area, resident chef of the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington, and cookbook author, produces and hosts Pati’s Mexican Table, the culinary series that airs Saturdays at 5 p.m. on WETA PBS and weekdays in the 1 p.m. hour on WETA Metro. In the new season of La Frontera, Jinich travels in Southern California and Baja, Arizona and Sonora, and New Mexico and Chihuahua, sharing meals with “fronterizos” — borderlanders — from all walks of life and reflecting on the melding of cultures. The three episodes, Fronterizos of the Golden Coast (April 3); Ancient Seeds & Desert Ghosts (April 10) and Back to the Middle (April 17) demystify the borderland communities and illuminate the soul of each region.

American History Night Documentaries

Saturdays on WETA PBS

In Saturday-night American history programming in April, WETA PBS features American Experience films that illuminate the nation’s stories across a variety of eras and topics:

• Taken Hostage (April 1 & 8, 8 p.m.), revisits the 1979-1981 Iran hostage crisis, when 52 Americans were held hostage at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran during the Carter administration.

• The Murder of Emmett Till (April 15, 8 p.m.), a film by Stanley Nelson, spotlights the horrific 1955 killing of a 14-year-old Black youth in Mississippi.

• Zoot Suit Riots (April 15, 9 p.m.) revisits 1940s L.A., when racial tensions led to riots and violence.

• Driving While Black: Race, Space and Mobility in America (April 22, 8 p.m.) explores how the advent of car travel brought mobility and freedom for Black Americans but also exposed them to discrimination and violence.

• The American Diplomat (April 29, 8 p.m.) examines how three Black ambassadors — Edward R. Dudley, Terence Todman and Carl Rowan — broke racial barriers at the U.S. State Department during the Cold War.

• The Codebreaker (April 29, 9 p.m.) spotlights Elizebeth Friedman, a pioneering U.S. government cryptanalyst.

NOVA: Weathering the Future & Chasing Carbon Zero

MWednesdays, April 5, 12 & 26 at 9 p.m. on WETA PBS & WETA Metro; stream on the PBS App arking the celebration of Earth Day this month, science series NOVA presents climate related programs, including two premieres. In Weathering the Future (April 12), the series explores how, as extreme weather in the U.S. affects more people — with longer heat waves, more intense rainstorms, megafires and droughts — Americans are responding by marshaling ancient wisdom and innovating new solutions. In Chasing Carbon Zero (April 26), NOVA investigates what it will take for the U.S. to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and avoid the biggest impacts of climate change. The program spotlights tangible solutions, from expanding the availability of renewable energy options, to designing more energy-efficient buildings, and revolutionizing the transportation sector.

Carbon dioxide is not the only greenhouse gas of concern — controlling methane flowing into the atmosphere might be one of the strongest levers in curbing global warming in the near-term. Tune in to encore NOVA episode Arctic Sinkholes (April 5), in which scientists investigate the implications of evidence that rapidly melting soil in the Arctic is releasing vast amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

The Sun Queen: American Experience

ATuesday, April 4 at 9 p.m. on WETA PBS & WETA Metro; stream on the PBS App new film by Amanda Pollak explores the life of solar energy pioneer Mária Telkes, a Hungarian-American chemical engineer and inventor who for nearly 50 years applied her prodigious intellect to harnessing the power of the sun. She designed and built the world’s first successfully solar-heated modern residence (the Dover Sun House in Dover, Massachusetts); identified a promising new chemical that, for the first time, could store solar heat like a battery; and created a solar-power oven that is still in use. And yet, along the way, she was undercut and thwarted by her boss and colleagues — all men — at MIT. Despite these obstacles, Telkes persevered and, upon her death in 1995, held more than 20 patents. She is now recognized as a pioneer in the field of sustainable energy. A largely forgotten heroine, Telkes was remarkable in her vision and tenacity — a scientist and a woman in every way ahead of her time. Her research and innovations from the 1930s through the 1970s continue to shape how we power our lives today.

Changing Planet, Series 2

AWednesday, April 19 at 9 p.m. on WETA PBS & WETA Metro; stream on the PBS App year after the series Changing Planet presented a global environmental health check of bellweather biomes, the program returns for a second season to revisit six of the planet’s most vulnerable ecosystems and catch up with the inspiring people introduced in the first season: scientists and local experts fighting to safeguard their communities and wildlife and charting the progress of their gamechanging environmental projects. Join host and conservation scientist Dr. M. Sanjayan — above in Australia’s outback — to meet people who deepen our understanding of these habitats and introduce new potential solutions to combat the effects of the climate crisis. The series will monitor climate change in the six iconic locations around the world each year over a total of seven years, revisiting each to mark Earth Day. Sanjayan, who has reported for CBS News and collaborates with BBC and PBS, is chief executive officer of non-profit environmental organization Conservation International, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.