WMHT Public Media to Host Special Event with Filmmaker Ken Burns in Support of Landmark PBS Series, The American Revolution
WMHT Public Media to Host Special Event with Filmmaker Ken Burns in Support of Landmark PBS Series, The American Revolution
Tickets go on sale today for The American Revolution, an Evening with Ken Burns on Sept. 10 at Albany’s Palace Theater, featuring an intimate conversation with Burns and Sarah Botstein, and a first look at the six-part, 12-hour series that premieres Nov. 16 on PBS
WMHT is producing original local content and planning events and activities highlighting New York’s role in the Revolutionary Era, spanning the Capital Region to Fort Ticonderoga
An image of Ken Burns by Stephanie Berger.jpegAlbany, NY – WMHT Public Media, a multichannel public communications organization serving Eastern New York and Western New England, today announced plans to host a filmmaker event in Albany featuring award-winning producer and director Ken Burns in conjunction with his latest production, The American Revolution, co-directed by Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt and premiering Sunday, Nov. 16 on PBS. Timed with the 250th anniversary of the start of the Revolutionary War, the six-part, 12-hour documentary series explores the country’s founding and its eight-year War for Independence.
The American Revolution, an Evening with Ken Burns is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Palace Theater. The event will feature an intimate conversation with Burns and Botstein, as well as a clip reel from the documentary series, which was in production for eight years and shot at nearly 100 locations, including a number of New York sites that played a critical role in the struggle for independence. Tickets go on sale Thursday, April 3 at noon ET, and may be purchased here.
The American Revolution, an Evening with Ken Burns will cap off a daylong visit by Burns and Botstein to the Capital Region.
“We’re very excited to join WMHT and everyone in the Capital Region to share an early look at The American Revolution,” said Ken Burns. “The Capital Region is hugely important to our country’s founding and plays a major role in our upcoming film. Public television stations are gathering places for impactful conversations about history and its relevance today, so we are of course hugely appreciative of all WMHT is doing to share this story with teachers, students and life-long learners throughout the region and the state.”
“We are delighted to extend a warm welcome to Ken Burns and Sarah Botstein, and excited to host them for a preview and discussion of their latest landmark film, The American Revolution,” said Anthony V. Hayes, President and CEO of WMHT Public Media and Board Chair of the Association for Public Broadcasting Stations (APBS), which represents public broadcasters statewide. “Given the prominent role of people and places in the Capital Region and New York state during the Revolutionary War, this documentary offers a unique opportunity to explore our region’s stake in our nation’s history. Under the keen eye and recognized excellence of these esteemed filmmakers, our audience will gain knowledge and perspective that remains timely and relevant 250 years later.”
WMHT is planning an ambitious schedule of programs and activities in concert with The American Revolution and 250thanniversary of the start of the war, including:
On Sunday, April 6, WMHT will host a special screening of the film NOVA Revolutionary War Weapons, followed by a discussion with Fort Ticonderoga Curator Matthew Keagle, Ph.D., New York State Museum Senior Historian Aaron Noble, and SUNY Maritime College Senior Lecturer David Allen. The free event begins at 3 p.m. at the museum’s Huxley Theater. More information and registration are available here.
WMHT is producing a 30-minute special episode of the multiplatform series Field Trip to air in November. WMHT producers Nicole Van Slyke Kubisch and Matt Rogowicz will immerse themselves in interactive educational activities at prominent historical institutions from the Capital Region to Fort Ticonderoga, examining the role of Indigenous People, contributions of women, and Black families’ experiences.
Utilizing WMHT’s paid summer internship program, students will join the Field Trip production team to explore key Revolutionary landmarks and film their own original short-form digital content to start conversations among their age group.
The 161 public libraries in WMHT’s coverage area will be invited to participate in a library display contest in which they create displays featuring books and other library resources relevant to the American Revolution.
Post-broadcast screenings and discussions will be held at the New York State Museum’s Huxley Theatre and at partner libraries throughout WMHT’s coverage area. Details will be announced in the coming months.
And, in 2026, WMHT will explore the Revolutionary Era through a one-hour documentary that will lead viewers on a journey of discovery that showcases a nation in search of its identity and future through a culinary perspective.
For tickets to The American Revolution, an Evening with Ken Burns featuring Ken Burns and Sarah Botstein, visit wmht.org/kenburns.
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About WMHT Public Media
Serving Eastern New York and Western New England, WMHT Public Media is the only locally owned, nonprofit, multichannel public communications organization that reaches beyond the traditional broadcasting model to act as a leader by convening arts, culture, learning and civic interests. WMHT focuses on Community, Culture and Connections by providing entertainment, enrichment and engagement through television, radio, digital media, and educational services. Services include WMHT-DT (17.1), WMHT-Create (17.2), WMHT-World (17.3), WMHT PBS Kids (17.4), WMHT-FM 89.1 & WRHV-FM 88.7 (classical public radio), and WEXT Radio 97.7/106.1 (AAA public radio). WMHT also operates RISE, a radio reading service for the blind and print disabled.
Corporate funding for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine with the Crimson Lion Foundation; and the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Major funding was also provided by David M. Rubenstein; The Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Family Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; and the following Better Angels Society members: Eric and Wendy Schmidt; Stephen A. Schwarzman; and Kenneth C. Griffin with Griffin Catalyst. Additional support for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha A. Darling; Park Foundation; and the following Better Angels Society members: Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; The Michelson Foundation; Jacqueline B. Mars; Kissick Family Foundation; Diane and Hal Brierley; John H. N. Fisher and Jennifer Caldwell; John and Catherine Debs; The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Philip I. Kent; Gail Elden; Deborah and Jon Dawson; David and Susan Kreisman; The McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Becky and Jim Morgan; Carol and Ned Spieker; Mark A. Tracy; and Paul and Shelley Whyte. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was made possible, in part, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.