History Detectives

Wes Cowan hunts for the identity of a man whose name is engraved on a rare matched set of Civil War-era pistols, still in the original case. Tukufu Zuberi tracks down the story behind an old 78rpm, distributed by K.K.K. Records, containing songs titled "The Bright Fiery Cross" and "The Jolly Old Klansman." And Eduardo Pagan tries to prove that James Jamerson, a bass player whose bass line drove the Motown sound, owned a battered Ampeg B-15 amp that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will display - but only if inductee Jamerson really owned it.

Duration: 56 minutes and 45 seconds

Episode Number: 1002

About History Detectives:

HISTORY DETECTIVES returns to explore the stories behind historic sites, artifacts and tall tales told in cities across the country, with the help of an inquisitive team of fact-finders with an uncanny talent for uncovering the truth.




NHPBS Over-the-Air Broadcast

WENH-TV Ch. 11 Durham

WLED-TV Ch. 48 Littleton

WEKW-TV Ch. 18 Keene

W50DP-D Ch. 50 Hanover

W34DQ-D Ch. 34 Pittsburg

Cable and Satellite Channels


NHPBS Five Channels

NHPBS - 11.1

Explore - 11.2

World - 11.3

Create - 11.4

Kids - 11.5

All of our channels and NHK World Japan are streaming LIVE ONLINE and on the PBS App, available on most devices.

Learn More


 

Community Impact

NHPBS NHPBS Passport Passport

Once Upon a Time in Space | Friends Forever
America the Bountiful: America's 250th Anniversary Special | America the Bountiful: America's 250th Anniversary Special
Food. Curated. | AAPI: The New Asian Food Wave
The Joy of Painting with Nicholas Hankins: Bob Ross' Unfinished Season | Moonbeam Beach
Rick Steves' Europe | Rick Steves Best of London
The War That Made America | Turning the Tide
The Kimberley: Australia's Wild West | Into the Fire
Capturing America: The Carol Highsmith Story | Capturing America: The Carol Highsmith Story
Destination Detroit | Destination Detroit | Documentary
Grantchester | Episode 8
Waal River Crossing: 1944 | Waal River Crossing: 1944
Patience | Music In The Minster
Les Stroud's Survivorman | Arizona Desert Part 2
Opportunity Knocks | Facing the Truth
American Masters | W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel With a Cause [ASL]
Michalopoulos - The Art of Celebration | Michalopoulos - The Art of Celebration
Generations: California @250 | Bayview Hunters Point - San Francisco
The Unlikely Union: A Storytelling Symphony | The Unlikely Union: A Storytelling Symphony
Sally: A Solo Play | Sally: A Solo Play
Wired For Connection | Wired For Connection
Before America | Before America
Secrets of the Dead | China's Bronze Kingdom
Independent Lens | Third Act
Shared Planet | Waters
Great Performances | An Evening with Nicole Scherzinger
Antiques Roadshow | Junk in the Trunk 15
The Savers of Flavor | A Cherry to Dye For
Books by the River | Emily Carpenter
First Peoples, First Stories | Episode 2
Indian as Apple Pie | Desserts: Chai, besan ki pinni, and kheer (rice pudding)
Stand Together as One | Stand Together as One
Home is a Hotel | Home is a Hotel
Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure | Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure
Trolley Park: Great Lakes | Trolley Park: Great Lakes
Red Storm Rising: The Struggle for the American Communist Party | Red Storm Rising: The Struggle for the American Communist Party
American Muslims: A History Revealed | A Portrait of Freedom