Discoveries... America (States) These programs are a fresh look at the remarkable, unique and culturally diverse qualities of the United States of America. Producers Jim & Kelly Watt introduce you to real people and places that are the core of American character. Never before has a series explored the United States in such depth... cowboys, casinos, political history, parasailing, national parks, monuments, wagon trains, wheel wrights, poets, "paper stainers," guitar makers, dulcimer makers, hide tanners, buffalo round-ups, sculptors, artists, barn painters, marble artists, steam engines, farmers, ranchers, potters, presidential libraries, wildlife, commercial fishermen, sheep herders and a wide variety of pickers, fiddlers, singers & song writers. This is a 21st century portrait of America. A news magazine in style, the Discoveries...America series is a collection of video essays that truly look at the beauty of what makes the United States of America great. From New York to California and every state in between and even Washington, D.C., you'll find exceptional photography, interesting subjects and people telling fascinating stories that document what the real America is all about.
Dauphin Island, Fort Gaines, sandy beaches, estuaries, and the heronry, home of many nesting Great Blue Herons, oystermen, Sea Lab, the marine science and education center, the Estuarium, Mobile, ante bellum mansions, the original Mardi Gras city, Carnival Museum, Selma, The Museum of Voting Rights, the sport of raccoon hunting. Coon dog training, coon dog cemetery, the Mt. Top Flea Market outside of Atalla, and Ave Maria Grotto with scale models of architectural buildings from around the world.
Eureka Springs includes Victorian houses, narrow winding streets, haunted Crescent Hotel & Thorn Crown Chapel. Mountain View is folk music capital. Ozark Folk Center educates public on traditional Ozark arts & crafts. At Serenity Farm Breads, everything made from sourdough. Trout planting stocks local rivers with trout, some are world-record catches. Wildflower farmers grow native plants to market seeds. Terra Studios features acres of sculpture and original "Bluebird of Happiness". Buffalo River attracts thousands of paddlers and campers. The William J Clinton Presidential Library & museum housed in environmentally friendly building. Riddle's Elephant Sanctuary 330-acre home for all elephants. Museum of Arkansas Grand Prairie preserves history includes exhibit on duck hunting and calls. The Hampton Pigskin Cook-off features parade, carnival midway, hat contest, BBQ cook-off & rodeo. Crater of Diamonds State Park the only diamond site open to public...
Grand Canyon, Navajo Nation, Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, Anasazi ruins, Saguaro Natl Monument, Petrified Forest, Colorado River, Lake Havasu, ballooning Sonoran Desert, Mariachi festival, Tucson, OK Corral, Tombstone and Mission San Javier del Bac. Desert wildlife and plants, Paolo Soleri's Arcosanti and Cosanti, and Navajo weavers...
San Francisco, Giant Redwoods, Napa Valley Wine & Cooking, Monterey, Big Sur, Bishop Murals, Mammoth, Death Valley, Los Angeles, Hollywood, LA Auto Show, San Diego, BMX bike stunts, Sea World Trainers, Legoland Master Builder, Orange County Market Place, San Diego Highwayman, Bonus Feature Cooking with Julie.
Rocky Mountain Natl Park, cog railway to Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs Garden of the Gods, Denver, “Taste of Colorado” , Winter Park, Sheepdog Championships in Meeker, cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde, Durango steam locomotive, historic railroad festival, trout fishing and whitewater rafting the Gunnison...
Brooklyn Fair - learn farming, animals & hot-rod tractors. Rich’s dairy farm, family ritual milking, also gourmet ice cream. Antiques Marketplace in Putnam - from mill town to antiques mecca. Mystic Seaport, maritime historic village with authentic wooden ships and region’s connection to sea. Groton - Navy’s Submarine Force Museum and Library. Project Oceanology brings students to sea. Stone castle overlooking Connecticut River - home of William Gillette original actor who played Sherlock Holmes. 2000 dinosaur footprints from 200 million years ago - Dinosaur State Park. In Hartford, America’s oldest public art museum, Wadsworth Atheneum. Mark Twain House and Museum where Mark Twain created “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and other tales. Bristol home to ESPN studios.
Washington D.C. is the country’s grandest provider of national institutions, historical relics, museums, monuments & memorials including the Smithsonian Institution, The National Archives & The Library of Congress. The National Zoo is a nice diversion while visiting the historic treasures. The National Cathedral’s architecture & remarkable collection of iconography in sculpture & stained glass windows. DC’s racial & ethnic diversity is shown in neighborhoods like Adams Morgan, Georgetown’s Herring Hill & Frederick Douglass’ Anacostia. Travel by mule drawn barge on Historic Georgetown canal. On the Potomac River, the annual Dragon Boat Festival. The International Spy Museum has the world’s largest collection of espionage artifacts. Eastern Market, DC Farmers Market & DC Fish Market provide fresh produce, meats, fish, cheeses & artwork...
Meet with a real astronaut at Kennedy Space Center, Historic St. Augustine, Cattle Ranching near Lake Kissimmee, air boating swamp tour, Manatee at Homosassa Springs, performance water skiing at Cypress Gardens, Miami and the Florida Keys, Tarpon at Robbies, World Record Angler Billy Pate, and Everglades National Park.
Everyone has a story to tell with Swamp Gravy in Colquitt, Gopher Tortoise at Reed Bingham SP, Harness Horse Training in Hawkinsville, wild chickens in Fitzgerald, Jimmy Carter NHP in Plains, Cyclorama and Center for Pupperty Arts in Atlanta, and tug boats in Savannah.
Oahu, Big Island & Maui: Volcanoes National Park, Nelha, Oahu, Honolulu & Waikiki, Local business Shrimp Farm/Crack Seed, Pearl Harbor USS Arizona National Memorial, Germaine's Luau, Lahaina/Maui Pineapple Plantation,Kaanapali Resorts Culture & Golf, WhaleQuest, Snuba diving, Board, Wind & Kite Surfing, Road to Hana, Seven Sacred Pools.
The land of Lincoln, Chicago, Route 66, extreme sports park, Frank Lloyd Wright, Joliet's historic Rialto Theater, iron sculptor, Lincoln attractions in Springfield, historic Galena, archeology, Superman's home of Metropolis, Garden of the Gods and President Regan's boyhood home.
Indiana’s north shore is a great industrial center with giant sand dunes nearby. The third largest Amish population lives in northern Indiana and the Shipshewana Flea Market & Auction is quite a draw. Indianapolis is the crossroads of America and the RV/MH Museum in Elkhart shows the evolution of the motor home industry through a collection of vintage RVs going back to 1913.
Kansas Wheat Tour, Cessna Aircraft, Dodge City, Smoky Hill Bison Co, Monument Rocks., Fossil detectives at Keystone Gallery, Kansas Wheat House. Brass Artist Tracy Hett, M.T. Liggett's roadside art, Kansas Underground Salt Museum, OZ Museum, Sedan's yellow brick road, Rawhide artist Jay Adcock, Profile of Proto-Kaw, reformed version of band “Kansas”.
Artist Mitchell Tolle, Keeneland Horse Auction, training thoroughbreds at Churchill Downs, Louisville, making of the Louisville Slugger, Labrot & Graham distillery, Blue Grass Cooperage - whisky barrel making, natural bridges including Carter Cave State Resort Park, Berea university of traditional Appalachian arts, Lexington, Woodspring Farm and equestrian sport of dressage...
New Orleans by horse drawn carriage, Café Dumond, the French Quarter & Jackson Square, the School of Cooking, Bourbon Street, mansions of the Garden District. Creole Nature Trail, Honey Island Swamp, Natchitoches, Kaffie Frederick general mercantile, Tabasco production and bird sanctuary on Avery Island, local farming and harvest of rice, soybeans and crawfish. Acadiana, Liberty Theater in Eunice, performances by Cajun bands, history and culture of Mari Gras...
Monuments to the pilgrims in Provincetown. Dolphin Fleet and East Coast whale watching. Arts Dune Tours historic sand dunes guide of Cape Cod National Seashore. Striper Fishing off the Cape. The Cape Cod Canal. In Plymouth, Pilgrim Hall Museum - with pilgrim artifacts. Cranberries are an important crop. Salem known for Witchcraft Trials. Boston’s Old North Church Change Ringers keep bells ringing. Boston’s Crane Paper supplies US currency paper. Hills of West MA. visit Monterey Chevre Cheese and watercolorist Alan James Robinson. America’s favorite artist - Norman Rockwell Museum & Studio. The Big E - largest fair in Northeast.
Maryland’s state capitol is the sailing capitol of the world & home of Woodwind Schooners & America’s first sailing school. PRS Guitars turns exotic hardwoods into the finest guitars. Ocean City, marinas, water parks & campgrounds fill with visitors in the summer. Assateague Island National Seashore with miles of beaches & sand dunes, inhabited by wild feral horses. Local Blue Crab watermen begin their day early & never know what they will catch. Crab processing continues the work of bringing crustaceans to market. Preservation takes place at Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in Crisfield where skills like wooden boat building are taught to new generations. Ducks flock to Decoy Museum in Havre de Grace. From valuable antiques of the nineteenth century to modern mantelpiece artworks, hand-carved wooden decoys are popular in this quaint little community. Maryland is a beautiful, geographically diverse state with rich maritime heritage of Chesapeake Bay & hills, woods & waters of Western Maryland with Cunningham Falls, Antietam & Potomac Falls.
An early morning trip to sea with two lobstermen. Local lobster pounds are places to enjoy this delicacy. In Wiscasset, the Musical Wonder House reveals beautifully preserved music boxes. In Freeport, the Desert of Maine, the only desert east of the Mississippi. Bar Harbor & surrounding Acadia National Park are charming, scenic and beautiful. In Eastport, tour a salmon aquaculture facility. Raye’s Mustard is made using old-fashioned stone ground method. Near Mt Katahdin Appalachian Trail hikers are almost finished with their 2000-mile journey. The historic Katahdin Steamboat has plied the waters of Moosehead Lake since the early 1900s. Maine’s potato farming is still big business here. The Maine Military Authority is responsible for saving the government millions of dollars by refurbishing military vehicles. Gene Bahr is a wildlife artist who uses local basswood to create amazingly detailed sculptures of fish.
Detroit, Motown and Motor City history, The Henry Ford, Diego Rivera at the Detroit Institute of Arts, Lionel Trains, Hell, Battle Creek, Traverse City cherries, Mackinac Island and Mays fudge creations, Upper Peninsula, Sault St. Marie, Copper Harbor, waterfalls and sleeping Bear Dunes National Park.
"“Mark Twain Himself” stage performance in Hannibal; city of St. Louis; Kansas City Fountains; Harry S. Truman Presidential Library; Hallmark Cards; Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; American Jazz Museum; SubTropolis; Fantastic Caverns; Live Entertainment Capital in Branson; Bass Pro/Big Cedar Lodge; Dogwood Canyon; and Sikeston's Redneck BBQ."
Natchez - oldest permanent community on Mississippi river - well-preserved mansions & antebellum homes - town cemetery has equal history, Vicksburg known for role in the Civil War, waterfront-only casinos - important to local economy, Dinner Bell Family Restaurant - authentic southern cooking, Bluegrass & Gospel music in Sandy Ridge, Delta Pride Catfish co-op, Humphries County World Catfish Festival - live music, catfish eating contest and Catfish Queen. William Faulkner, Nobel Prize for Literature lived in Oxford, now a museum. Thacker Mountain Radio weekly program for Mississippi Public Broadcasting - musicians, writers, poets & performers gather. Grower, bonsai artist & teacher, Brussel Martin, helps bonsai enthusiasts."
Glacier National Park, Missoula Neon Studios, Brennan's Wave, Deer Lodge Draft Horse Expo, Bute Mining, Our Lady of the Rockies, Bozeman Simms Fishing Products, KOA Kampgrounds of America, Keogh Livestock & Range Research Lab, Fort Peck Field Station of Paleontology and Dillon Cowboy Poetry & Music Rendezvous.
Wright Brothers museum with replica of original flyer. Kitty Hawk Kites - ultra lights & kite boards. Hang gliding classes in Jockey’s Ridge sand dune on Outer Banks. Wilmington historic city with over 200 historic buildings, museums & antique shops. Bluegrass Festival support historic Thalean Hall. Lowe’s Motor Speedway home of NASCAR. Buck Baker Racing School - enthusiasts learn skills. Love Valley mountain community includes modern cowboys. Penland School of Crafts founded on love of clay, stone, wood, metal, fibers & textiles. Arval Woodey has wooden chairs made without nails or glue. Mast General Store in business for one hundred years. Young’s Mountain Music, where aspiring musicians get together & play music.
International Peace Garden, Fort Seward Wagon Train in Jamestown, Morlock Honey Bee Keeping, Jamestown's National Buffalo Museum, Carrington's Pipestem Creek, Dakota Growers Pasta, Bobcat Compact Equipment, Walter Piehl Cowboy Artist, Saddle Making with Shawn Kramer, Lewis & Clark Center, Enchanted Highway, Killdeer Rodeo, Historic Medora.
Coming February 2005 Omaha Zoo, Art Farm; Pedal Clinic; cowboy hat maker; Arbor Day; orchards; Wheel Wright; Shepherd's Dairy; Brownville; Book Town USA; ranching; Cabela's; Car Henge; Agate Fossil Beds; and Chimney Rock.
Fall colors of Portsmouth, Cog Railroad to Mt. Washington, Grand Hotel Resorts, Clark’s Trading Post since 1930’s, Café Lafayette Dinner Train, custom boot maker Peter Limmer, Canterbury Shaker Village, America’s oldest general store in Bath, Yankee Publishing and secrets of The Old Farmer’s Almanac...
At Annual Marbles Tournament - skilled kids from across USA compete. Cape May, seaside resort with Victorian charm & architecture. Seafood, bluegrass & decoys at Baymen’s Seafood & Music Festival. Atlantic City one of the first resort towns in USA. Its history reflected in Joseph Polillo’s historic postcards. Saltwater Taffy factory tour shows how it’s made. In Springfield, Brigade of the American Revolution’s historical reenactment of Springfield Battle. Technology & medicine at Liberty Science Center, in Jersey City. “Save Ellis Island” restores decaying & abandoned structures. In Lyndhurst, dueling knights & Andalusian stallions parade at Medieval Times - trainers, actors & stuntmen work hard. Visitors walk Grounds for Sculpture, a place where nature & art intermingle.
Taos Pueblo, Santa Fe skiing, and Shush Yaz Gallery, Chaco Canyon, Gila Cliff Dwellings, Alburquerque Ballooning and Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Sandia Peak Tram, Bosque del Apache NWR, Salinas Missions, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Roswell UFO Museum, White Sands & Roadrunner.
Las Vegas, casino design, Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon, Rhyolite ghost town, Woman's International Bowling Congress in Reno, Chili Cook-off in Virginia City, loneliest road in America, historic Eureka and famous Opera House, Sand Mountain recreation area, and cattle ranching...
New York City is global headquarters for many corporations and home of the United Nations, New York Stock Exchange, theaters, museums, subways and so much more. Also neighborhoods, farmers markets and Central Park give city personality. Fulton Fish Market - a bustling center of commerce. “Tribute” museum celebrates power, creativity and resilience of NYC. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Immigration Museum - immigrants came to begin new lives. Apple orchards of Hudson Valley where Big Apple claimed its name – also mounded apple pie from Tantillo’s Fruit Stand. Historic Huguenot village of New Paltz has buildings from several centuries. Miniatures to monuments are cast at Tallix Art Foundry. Saratoga Springs with its mineral springs and horse racing. Adirondack State Park also where US Mail delivered by Old Forge Mail Boat. Erie Canal was once a major transportation artery between New York City and Great Lakes. Home made cookies at Fly By Night Cookie Company. A visit to Niagara Falls with ride on “Maid of the Mists” tour boat, and fireworks over Manhattan - a sight to behold
Wright Brothers, US Air Force Museum, Columbus, Longaberger Baskets, Scott Hagan Barn Artist, Chris Helm Fly Tying, Amish Community, Guggisberg Cheese, Lehman's "New" Old Products, Pro Football Hall of Fame, All American Soap Box Derby, Wilson Sporting Goods factory, Lake Erie's Kelley Island and Cedar Point Amusement Park.
Crane Union High School, Buffalo Rancher, Vale Murals, End of the Oregon Trail, Joseph Bronze Factory, Pendleton Woolen Mills, Christmas ships in Portland, City of Portland, Logic General DVD Manufacturing, Oregon Coast and Dunes, Umpqua Aquaculture, Sportsmens Cannery, Tillamook Cheese, Mount Bachelor Skiing.
Cattle roundups for branding and vaccination bring families and friends together at River Basin Ranch in Nowata. World’s largest stocker & feeder cattle market at Stockyards City handles cattle from many states. In Oklahoma City the National Memorial & Museum is tribute to the victims, survivors and rescue workers of the bombing at the Arthur P. Murrow Federal Building. With resurgence of American Buffalo, there’s new markets for buffalo hair products. Chile rellenos are stuffed by hand at local Matador Processing. Junk art sculptor, Jim Powers uses scrap metal to create his art. At Apache Rattlesnake Festival snake handlers with “live rattlers” discuss snake biology to safety. Will Rogers unique blend of common sense, humor and criticism on display at Will Rogers Museum in Claremore. At the Will Rogers Wild West Arts Club Expo - includes trick roping, knife throwing, gun spinning and more.
Philadelphia, Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, U.S. Constitution, Valley Forge, National Center for the American Revolution, Gettysburg, Wharton Esherick artist and sculpture museum, Covered Bridges and Painted Barns, Pittsburgh, National Aviary. Modern dairy farmers and Amish farmers...
Rhode Island is one of America’s precious gems and a microcosm of New England. First armed conflict with the British took place in Warwick, Rhode Island with burning of the Gaspee, the Industrial Revolution has its origins at Slater Mill. Preservation of 18th century history is major concern in Newport. Twentieth century mansions line bluffs in Bellevue District including Astors Beechwood Speakeasy and bring up the past through entertainment, music & acting. Visitors to Rose Island step back in time by staying at a lighthouse. Providence, the state’s capital, became revitalized through a combination of development and civic pride. Barnaby Evans’ WateFire Providence is a moving work of art and symbol of the city’s transformation. Providence also supports tradition of culinary excellence nurtured by Johnson and Wales University and Culinary Archives & Museum. Federal Hill district known as “Little Italy” is famous for restaurants, boutiques and gourmet food shops. A glimpse into the world of regional jewelry manufacturing shows origins of beautifully preserved architecture on Benefit Street. Outside Providence, small villages and businesses have changed little over time, including historic Coggleshall Farm and Kenyons Grist Mill. Block Island draws thousands of summer residents each year to experience pace of island life, its beaches, boating and fishing.
Horse drawn carriage tour of old Charleston, basket weavers of exquisite handmade sweet grass baskets, Circular Congregational Church and the Magnolia Singers performing spirituals, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, dolphin-watching excursion, Ride a shrimp boat along coastal waters, upcountry lifestyle in Edgefield...
Black Hills, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park and Buffalo Roundup, Wall Drug in Wall, the Pioneer Auto Show in Murdo, Hansen Carriages in Letcher, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s childhood home in De Smet, Terry Redlin Art Gallery in Watertown and the Corn Palace in Mitchell, the World’s Largest Pheasant in Huron also home to “the city of murals”.
Old-time mountain music, bluegrass, country, rock & roll and blues have deep roots in Tennessee. Nashville earned title “Music City USA”. Country Music Hall of Fame, see music’s history & important artifacts. The Grand Ole Opry longest running live radio show in USA. Hatch Show Prints, an original wood block printing house makes show posters. Making hats in Winchester, there are several steps to creating high quality hat bodies. Chattanooga with new waterfront & Tennessee Aquarium – largest freshwater aquarium in world. Incline railway to Lookout Mountain and Chattanooga National Military Park. Restored Dentzel Carousel graces Coolidge Park. Mississippi Queen riverboat is connection to rich river history. Fishing at bass tournament & trip to freshwater pearl farm in Kentucky Lakes region. Fine music at Holladay Bluegrass and Fiddlers Jamboree.
Fort Worth, stockyards, the “Cow Whisperer”, old time cattle drive, “Billy Bob’s” - world’s largest “honky-tonk”, rodeo clowns, Longhorn cattle and life on a ranch in Weatherford. Slate River Ranch - breeding and training world champion ‘cutting horses’, Tex-Mex cuisine at L & J Café since 1930’s. Goliad, where the Texas revolution started, coastal areas in Rockport-Fulton - spectacular bird watching, San Antonio and rodeo competitions...
production of “Music and the Spoken Word”, life inside Church of Latter Day Saints and their global charity mission, trek Red Canyon, Kodachrome Basin and Bryce Canyon National Park, spcetacular colored sandstone formations..
Guitars, banjos, fiddles and mandolins - Mount Rogers School students learn mountain music, live music at Rex Theater in Galax, Wayne Henderson guitar maker shares stories, Shenandoah Valley, Staunton, dancing “Morris Men”, street fair, hot glass exhibition, Jamestown site, Jamestown Settlement - early American life - Indian village, sailing ships and swordsmen, Colonial Williamsburg, 1700's costumed characters, Yorktown battlefield, smoked country ham preparation.
Maple syrup at Dakin Farm. Covered Bridge Museum in Bennington. Moosefest moose art sculptures. Orvis Company in Manchester makes legendary fly rods. Hawks at The British School of Falconry. Vermont Teddy Bear Company produces only USA teddy bear. Artist Max Osorio creates with chainsaw. Cider making at Cold Hollow Cider Co. Spiritual life and music of Benedictine monks at Weston Priory. Derby Line has buildings that straddle border with Canada. Knights Spider Web farm where art is made using spider webs. Granite comes from mountains in VT at Rock of Ages Granite Quarry in Barre. Ellie’s Farm Market displays 1000 carved pumpkins.
Mt. Rainier, Olympic Peninsula, Mount St. Helens parks, Pacific ocean coastline, San Juan Islands, Cascade mountain range, Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, "Disneyland of Disaster" training camp for firefighters, Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, Dick Hancock - wildlife photographer and Josef Scaylea - award winning Seattle Times photographer, Museum of Glass "hot shop" creative glass production...
Castle Rock Organic Dairy, Milwaukee, Barbershop Harmony Society and Voices Only, Trek Bicycle Co, Wisconsin Dells and Noah's Ark Waterpark, Circus World Museum, Door County with Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant and White Gull Inn Fish Boil, Carr Valley Cheese, Apostle Island Cruises, Log Rolling w/ Judy Scheer Hoeschler, Eagle River Beer Fest and Muskie Tournament.
Ourdoors at New River Gorge. Regional craftworks at Tamarack. Marble King makes over a million marbles per day in Paden City. Cairo hosts annual Marble-fest. Local artisans create beautiful one-of-a-kind marbles. First Mother’s Day celebration held in Grafton. Neighboring Fairmont held first Father’s Day. Moundsville, Adena Indian burial mounds built over 1000 years ago. Harpers Ferry played important role in development of industry, abolition of slavery, civil war and education of former slaves. Today, a National Historic Park, visitors learn about John Brown and hike trails. Scenic railroads pass through heart of state. Visitors explore via golden era of steam or reliving life in the 40’s Pullman car. Scenic vistas, tunnels, waterfalls and rivers highlight West Virginia’s railroad country. Local guides explain allure of rock climbing at Seneca Rocks. Nelson Rocks includes a “via ferrata” – with fixed cables and steel ladders to aid climbing.
Yellowstone park, "Devil's Tower", learn of Wyoming's other motto…the Suffrage state, Jackson Hole, "Old West Days" celebration, kayaking Snake River, Thermopolis Hot Springs, Dubois - a community turned cowtown to artist haven, Cheyenne, world's largest coal mine, Cody, and Buffalo Bill Historic Center...
Complete set of all 51 "Discoveries…America" DVD programs: Historic treasures, cultural icons, natural wonders and portraits of Americans from coast to coast reveal the heart and spirit of the U.S.A…
