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.

Cemeteries are often thought of as dark, sad places where loved ones who have passed away are buried. The Arkansas PBS original production “Silent Storytellers” shares stories of the lives etched on the stones, why cemeteries are important to the local community and how to take care of them. “Silent Storytellers,” produced by Arkansas PBS Producer Casey Sanders, will air Thursday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m. as part of our “From the Archives” series.

As the January weather gets colder and darker, start the fire, grab a blanket, and head to your favorite spot in front of your favorite streaming device for binging great programs. Arkansas PBS Passport has mysteries and thrillers to keep you on the edge of your seat!

Whether you are a native Arkansan or a transplant, the Arkansas PBS original production “History on the Line: Preserving County Courthouses” generates a feeling of warmth from small-town Arkansas communities and an intimate look at those communities that hold their courthouses dearly. “History on the Line: Preserving County Courthouses” will air Thursday, Jan. 9, at 7 p.m. as part of our “From the Archives” series.

Drama fans, we have exciting new premieres for you in January! Have you been dying to know what happened in “Miss Scarlet” since the end of Season 4? Have you anticipated the return of James Herriot and Tristan Farnon to Darrowby in “All Creatures Great and Small?” Maybe you can’t wait to see what awaits DCI Barnaby and DS Jamie Winter as they solve perplexing crimes.

Arkansas PBS is thrilled to announce that new episodes of “Antiques Roadshow", filmed at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville last May will open the series’ 29th season beginning Jan. 6. “Antiques Roadshow” is PBS’s 21-time Emmy Award-nominated and most-watched ongoing series.