Do you have any travel plans this summer? Arkansas PBS is sharing local programs this June featuring historical sites and natural beauty that may sway your decision on where to visit next! Don’t miss these four documentaries by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Larry Foley. You’ll visit the University of Arkansas campus, the former Spring Training ground for Major League Baseball, the architecture in Northwest Arkansas and finish with a trip outdoors to the Buffalo River. Stay tuned in July as we’ll have more destination spots to inspire your travels.
“If This Walk Could Talk” – Thursday, June 5, at 7 p.m.
Explore the unique history and significance of the Senior Walk tradition at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. See the personal reflections drawn from historical documents, yearbooks and film clips about students, faculty, staff, alumni and campus leaders over the past 150 years.
“The First Boys of Spring” – Thursday, June 12, at 7 p.m.
The Major League Baseball regular season is in full swing. But did you know that in the MLB’s early days, teams would flock to Hot Springs to prepare for the grind of the regular season? In 1886, the Chicago White Stockings (now the Chicago Cubs) were the first to travel to Hot Springs when the team’s owner and manager decided the boys needed a place to practice and prepare for the regular season. Other teams followed, including the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Brooklyn Dodgers and many others. This film is narrated by Billy Bob Thornton.
“Sacred Spaces: The Architecture of Fay Jones” – Thursday, June 19, at 7 p.m.
Fay Jones of Fayetteville studied under the great Frank Lloyd Wright and eventually ascended to heights rivaling his master. Jones became one of the most acclaimed and significant architects of the late 20th century. He won the prestigious American Institute of Architects (AIA) Gold Medal in 1990, awarded for a lifetime of work that included his masterpiece, Thorncrown Chapel near Eureka Springs.
“The Buffalo Flows: The Story of Our First National River” – Thursday, June 26, at 7 p.m.
Folk singer Jimmy Driftwood called the Buffalo River “Arkansas’s gift to the nation – America’s gift to the world.” It was the first national river to be designated in the United States (1972). This film delves into the history of the river, which has withstood the threat of being dammed, the communities that live near it, and the ongoing conservation efforts to preserve it.
If you’re craving more than these four spots, we want to whet your appetite! For July, get ready for “Unveiled: Daisy Bates and Johnny Cash,” “Dairy Bars: Neat Eats and Cool Treats,” “From the Archives: The Last Squadron” and “From the Archives: Historic Bridges of Arkansas”
HOW TO WATCH
Check out the full schedule at myarpbs.org/schedule and let the adventures begin!