“The Buffalo River begins and ends in a wilderness. She was born in the Ozark Mountains springing from the hills and into rock-formed valleys, carved by weather in an ageless time,” actor Ray McKinnon narrates. “It is a river of firsts with a picturesque landscape like no other, meandering 148 miles through canyons and forest ‘til she empties into another river known as the White. Along the way is beauty that folks fought to preserve. ‘Save the Buffalo’ was the cry.
Each year, around this time, we share our Report to the Community – a look back at the previous fiscal year and the education initiatives, locally-produced programs, projects and community engagement we delivered to you and for all Arkansans.
If you have ever wanted to learn the history of Fayetteville without scrolling through your phone or digging into books, “Up Among the Hills: The Story of Fayetteville” is the best way to do it! The 60-minute documentary film written and produced by Emmy Award winner Larry Foley takes viewers on a journey from Fayetteville’s humble beginnings to present-day life on “The Hill.”
Celebrate Black History Month with Arkansas PBS as we share stories including the arts, culture, history, music and sports.
Hear from legendary African Americans, such as Toni Morrison, as they rise above criticism to reach prominence. Celebrate the Black culture with “Great Migrations: A People on the Move.” Follow the life of Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, the music that continues to impact the industry and the sports figures that are larger than life.
HOW TO WATCH
We’ve been keeping a secret, and we can’t hold it in any longer! We are beyond excited to announce that the locally produced Arkansas PBS educational series “Mystery League” has been selected for national distribution!
“Mystery League” – a series designed to teach kids about friendship and community – will premiere nationally on PBS KIDS March 21. The series, which has already made a significant economic impact on Arkansas, will showcase the state’s educational excellence, creative production capabilities and unique cultural identity to a nationwide audience.
Did you know Arkansas played a pivotal role after President Thomas Jefferson finalized the Louisiana Purchase from France in 1803? Jefferson bought the land “sight unseen,” but it turned out to be one of the largest land deals in history, securing about 512 million acres for $15 million. After President James Madison commissioned land surveying of the Louisiana territory in 1815, two land surveying teams met at a point in the Delta region of eastern Arkansas, establishing a point that would lead to 13 states being admitted to the Union.
Why go out for dinner this Valentine’s Day when you have amazing recipes from the Arkansas PBS original production “Cooking on the Wild Side”? You won’t have to hit the “jump to recipe” button here – we deliver the goods right to you without the story of how it went over with the author’s family.
Each Saturday at 2:30 p.m., “Cooking on the Wild Side” brings back Phyllis Speer and John Philpot with mouth-watering recipes and endearing banter from the original “Arkansas Outdoors” series.
Little Rock’s West Ninth Street was once a vibrant, African American business and entertainment district. Taborian Hall is the only remaining historic structure on West 9th Street and stands as a living witness to the street's former glory days. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Taborian Hall housed various important Black businesses, including professional offices, a USO, the Gem Pharmacy and the Dreamland Ballroom. By the 1930s, Dreamland was firmly established as a stop on the "Chitlin Circuit," which showcased regional and national African American bands and stage shows.
Arkansas has a deep-rooted history of Native American people. The Arkansas PBS original production “Arkansas’s First People” explores that history, taking viewers on a journey of the past, present and future, featuring unique perspectives on American Indian cultural legacy, archeological data and interviews with modern tribal representatives of those who had and still have an impact on Arkansas. “Arkansas’s First People,” produced by Stephanie Lewis, will air Thursday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. as part of our “From the Archives” series.
“Barns are a part of our landscape, lining our roads like loyal ancient sentries,” Missouri State University Noel Boyd Professor of Ozarks Studies Brooks Blevins narrates. “Like a log and frame beacon of a lost world, they remind us of a past lived close to the dirt, of a time when we understood just how much we depend on the earth, a time when we worked the ground and communed with it. Weathered and worn, barns seemed to be an extension of the earth itself, crafted by hands long since returned to the soil. Imagined by minds no longer among us.
