On Tuesday Blue Ridge PBS partnered with the Booker T. Washington National Monument to celebrate the founding of America’s national parks.
The day began with a free screening of Ken Burns’ new documentary film, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea,” at the Westlake Cinema. The first 200 guests received a free copy of Booker T. Washington’s “Up from Slavery.” Following the screening, the nearby Booker T. Washington National Monument hosted a Founder’s Day reception followed by a short documentary about Washington’s life and a walking tour of his birthplace.
“The Ken Burns film offers a spectacular glimpse into the vast natural and cultural treasures which are under the stewardship of the National Park Service,” said Carla Cowles Whitfield, Superintendent for Booker T. Washington National Monument.
“We are thrilled to partner with Blue Ridge PBS to highlight the contributions of Booker T. Washington, a man from humble beginnings who paved the way for Americans to live a better, more productive life,” she continued. “It is my hope that the Burns film will create a groundswell of renewed interest in national parks and serve as an invitation for the public to rediscover the parks that are in their own backyards.”
“The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” is the latest blockbuster project from Ken Burns, an acclaimed filmmaker who gained fame for projects like “Baseball,” “Jazz,” and “The War.” His new “National Parks” film series spans a century and a continent. It contains nearly 2,000 archival images from 262 sources, with breathtaking video from some of nature’s most spectacular locales. Featured parks include Acadia, Yosemite, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, the Everglades, and Shenandoah National Park. The National Park Service has a presence in 49 of the 50 states, with national parks, historic sites, and national monuments like Booker T. Washington’s birthplace.
Blue Ridge PBS will premiere “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea,” beginning Sept. 27 at 8 p.m. The six-part, 12-hour film will continue through the week. Visit BlueRidgePBS.org for more information about the Burns documentary.
