WETA TV 26 Explores Washington’s Tumultuous Past in a New Local Production

Washington, D.C. — WETA TV 26 looks back at one of the most intriguing chapters in local history in Washington in the ’60s. Produced by WETA, the documentary is the first retrospective of its kind to explore the collective political, social and cultural events that took place during this seminal period in Washington’s history. The one-hour special premieres Monday, November 2 at 9 p.m. on WETA TV 26 and repeats throughout the month.

“For WETA viewers who lived in the area during that era, the documentary will bring back memories of the critical events that forever changed the place Washingtonians called home,” said Kevin Harris, vice president and television station manager of WETA. “And for those who weren’t here in the ’60s, they’ll learn about the area’s fascinating past. WETA is proud to relate Washington’s interesting history.”

Washington in the ’60s features first-hand accounts from those who experienced and shaped the events of the time. The documentary brings history to life through the memories of notable Washingtonians such as Marion Barry, Ben Bradlee, Chuck Brown, Patrick Buchanan, Rev. Walter Fauntroy, Charlene Drew Jarvis, Colbert King, Maury Povich and Carol Schwartz, who reflect on personal experiences and offer insights on the impact that major historical events had on the Washington area and its residents. Native Washingtonian Connie Chung narrates the program.

The documentary transports viewers back to a period when the nation’s capital was transformed from a sleepy southern town to the bustling world-renowned metropolis of today. Washington in the ’60s spotlights key events throughout the decade, from the election of John F. Kennedy and the appointment of Walter Washington as the District’s first mayor to the fight for home rule and protests of the Vietnam War.

The next local production from WETA, Washington in the ’70s, premieres in early 2010. The complete WETA television schedule is available at weta.org. Viewers can watch WETA TV 26 over the air on channel 26.4, and on Comcast 26 and 267, Cox 26 and 802, Dish 8076, FiOS 26 and 471, and RCN 164.

WETA Television and Classical WETA 90.9 FM are public broadcasting stations serving the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia with high-quality programming. Classical WETA 90.9 FM brings classical music, concerts and specials to Greater Washington. As the leading PBS station in the nation’s capital, WETA Television broadcasts on four channels: WETA TV 26, WETA HD, WETA Kids and WETA Create. WETA Television celebrates the people and history of this region through programs such as WETA All Access, WETA Around Town and WETA Extras. For national PBS audiences, WETA produces The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer; Washington Week with Gwen Ifill and National Journal; history films by Ken Burns such as The National Parks: America’s Best Idea; and performance specials from the White House, the U.S. Capitol and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Embracing the educational mission of public broadcasting, WETA creates leading public service websites such as ReadingRockets.org, LDOnline.org and Brainline.org; and develops community outreach programs to engage people of all ages in the joy of lifelong learning. WETA’s headquarters are located in Arlington, Virginia. Sharon Percy Rockefeller is president and CEO. More information on WETA and its programs and services is available at weta.org.

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