WETA Extras

Henry Louis Gates, Jr., discusses the importance of the quality historical programming he produces in partnership with WETA and with the support of WETA viewers.

Ken Burn’s newest film chronicles the history of a truly unique American artform.

For 30 years, WETA has partnered with Ken Burns to co-produce and bring his remarkable documentaries to audiences nationwide. For information on how to support Ken Burns productions please contact Danielle Manning-Halsey, Senior Director, Principal and Major Gifts. dmanninghalsey@weta.org or 703-998-2812.

WETA has been Ken Burn's public television home for more than 30 years. This partnership has helped to bring high quality documentaries like his new film Country Music to audiences nationwide.

100 years ago Washington, D.C.'s Judiciary Square neighborhood was home to a thriving Italian American community. While the area has changed dramatically over the decades, the cornerstone of the old neighborhood remains. Visitors can still hear Catholic Mass in Italian every Sunday at Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church. Next door, Casa Italiana offers classes on cinema, literature and cuisine.

The Italian Store in Arlington, Virginia embodies two important aspects of the Italian American experience: food and family. The Tramonte family opened the specialty shop in 1980 it's unique selection of goods and family recipes have made the store an area favorite.

The Martin Luther King, Jr., Public Library in Washington, DC is a one-stop destination for genealogical research that opens the door for beginning scholars to search for their roots. Washingtoniana ranges from dusty tomes to specialized databases, where amateurs can find expert help to trace local and family history, add their own content, and leave a legacy for the future!

The Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights...all are housed at the National Archives in Washington, DC. But the facility offers much more than documents about the country's origins. It also houses millions and millions of federal documents about families and individuals via census, military and immigration records.

In Prince George's County, Maryland, a special community is open to all who want to find their roots. In 45 years, this community -- the Prince George's County Genealogical Society -- has grown from five people and 49 books to over 5,000 books, periodicals, and maps, and monthly meetings full of people who want to learn more about their ancestors.

Each of Ken Burns's films attempts to answer questions about the American experience, so it is not a mistake that he found his production partner, WETA, in the nation's capital, where so much of our national history is stored in repositories like the Library of Congress and the National Archives.

Ken Burns recounts the origins of his working relationship with WETA, which began decades ago when he met former WETA CEO Ward Chamberlain.

Local residents Anne Chalmers and Joe Lamountain bring items to be appraised at the Antiques Roadshow taping in Washington, DC.