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Is history worth saving?The answer from every sector of America is a resounding “YES!” The remnants of the past hold incredible value for us in the present. But resurrecting faded legacies takes dedication, time, and effort.

Across our great country ordinary people are going to extraordinary lengths to save our history. We are joining this silent army over the miles with our cameras; meeting and talking to volunteers, professionals, craftsmen, engineers, artists, musicians and thousands of others who share our love of America.Sometimes we follow them for months or years under the heading “Our Stories” or “Big Stories”.

“Keepers of Americana” are the folks preserving history in museums and non-profits.

In “Small Town Americana”, we visit off-the-interstate places that seem unchanged.

“History Heroes” are profiles of people young and old we meet along the way sharing their love of the past.

When you see “Voices of Americana” stories, you’re in for a special treat – poignant tales that stand on their own.

Finally, everywhere we go there is the “Music of Americana”. A soundtrack of local music and song superseding the stories and pictures.

This is your invitation to join us on our trek of people “Saving Americana”.

Big Stories of Americana look at some major efforts at saving major historic icons of America. The last working ship from D-Day:  Restored and now sailed by volunteers. One of only two B-29’s that is flying: restored and operated by volunteers. Old covered wagons, trains, historic homes, old barns, the first cross country road — all saved using the sweat of everyday Americans. Here are some previews of our Big Stories of Americana.

Meet and celebrate the individuals Saving Americana. Teachers, contractors, cowboys, musicians, artists, engineers, and even young students yet to start a career. Meet them, read about their background, watch the extraordinary contributions to America. These are the History Heroes saving our history.

Excuse the clique, but music is really the soundtrack of American History. Meet the musicians who with just a few notes, can take us back a century. Music of the 18 hundreds, bluegrass, the roots of jazz, the accordion players of Cajun music who “Make the people dance.” When you study the past — when you watch reenact-ors — they always come with music. And we get a portal to how it was done — It sets the tone and you feel the past in a new way.

Some of the best of America can be found in the smallest towns. Covered bridges, old canals, steam trains, horses pulling plows, river boats, barnstorming airshows, century old restaurants, a Hollywood back lot where hundreds of westerns were filmed, and the real people, make us visit Small Town Americana again and again.

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History in the

News

REMEMBERING THE WORKERS ON THE ERIE CANAL

REMEMBERING THE WORKERS ON THE ERIE CANAL

A massive years long effort to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the start of construction on the Erie Canal, and a dramatic piece of art to honor the workers is nearing completion. Work on the...

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THE PONY EXPRESS RETURNS

THE PONY EXPRESS RETURNS

The re-ride of the Pony Express is set to get underway June 7th. This year hundreds of riders will be heading east, Leaving Sacramento, California on June 7th, and arrive in St. Joseph, Missouri...

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CIVIL WAR EVENT CANCELLED

CIVIL WAR EVENT CANCELLED

The popular Civil War Days in Duncan Mills, California has been cancelled. It was called off last year due to Covid. This year road construction on a key access road to the property is the issue....

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Arleta Martin

Arleta is a longtime resident of Marysville, Kansas who has spent a lifetime helping preserve and study the Oregon and California Trails. Living about a hundred miles (get figure) from the start of the trail in Independence, Missouri, and a member of OCTA, The...
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