FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

PBS NORTH CAROLINA ANNOUNCES ‘HOMEGROWN HISTORY,’ A MULTIYEAR PUBLIC HISTORY INITIATIVE EXPLORING NC’s RICH PAST

To mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the initiative launches with a focus on NC’s role in the American Revolution.

Learn more at pbsnc.org/HomegrownHistory >

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 7/2/2025 — PBS North Carolina announces the launch of Homegrown History, a multiyear public history initiative exploring the state’s rich past. This ambitious project will include community engagement events throughout North Carolina, new broadcast and digital content exploring local history and resources for students and educators. 

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, Homegrown History’s inaugural year will focus on North Carolina’s history as it relates to the American Revolution. It is presented in conjunction with PBS America at 250 and America 250 NC, a statewide effort led by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.   

“History lives on through the people, places and stories we tell,” said David Crabtree, PBS North Carolina’s CEO and General Manager. “Through the Homegrown History project, we hope to inspire excitement for our state’s fascinating history and foster thoughtful conversations. Together, with community members and partners from all 100 counties, we’ll build a dynamic living archive of our shared history.” 

To connect with communities from all corners of the state, PBS North Carolina invites people to share stories about their local history at pbsnc.org/ShareYourHistory. Community insights will help guide the network as it develops Homegrown History content in the coming years. 

“I grew up in a small town where I learned about local history on my neighbors’ back porches. The power of Homegrown History is rooted in our commitment to listen to local communities and bring their stories to broader audiences,” said Greg Jeske, PBS North Carolina’s Executive Producer of Homegrown History. “We’re tremendously grateful for our partners at the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, who have provided critical expertise and connected us to America 250 NC County Committees, local historical societies and other community groups.” 

Year one of Homegrown History will include a new series that connects local stories to events that have shaped the state and nation (premiering July 2026). Additional content includes season three of Rogue History (produced by PBS North Carolina for PBS Digital Studios) and a new series of 60-second shorts exploring history in unexpected ways (premiering July 2025). Also, the popular PBS NC travel series NC Weekend will visit historic sites across the state (premiering April 2026). 

Coming November 16, 2025, is The American Revolution, the highly anticipated six-part documentary series by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt. Ten years in the making, this epic film presents an expansive view of how thirteen British colonies rose in rebellion, won independence and established a new form of government that radically reshaped the continent and inspired democratic movements around the globe. In May 2025, PBS North Carolina’s CEO David Crabtree sat down with Ken Burns for an exclusive interview about North Carolina’s important role in the American Revolution. Their conversation, filmed in Raleigh, will premiere on PBS NC in November 2025. 

To support educators across the state, PBS North Carolina will create standards-aligned content about the American Revolution for the classroom and offer professional development opportunities for teachers. The new media, created in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, will be available on PBS LearningMedia, a free online portal with videos, interactives, lesson plans and other resources for teachers. 

To learn more about Homegrown History, visit pbsnc.org/HomegrownHistory. 

About PBS North Carolina 

As North Carolina’s statewide PBS network serving the country’s third largest public media market, PBS North Carolina educates, informs, entertains and inspires its audience on air, online and in person. Through its unique partnership of public investment and private support, the network includes in-person engagement, digital-first social and online content delivery and four over-the-air channels: PBS NC, the North Carolina Channel, Rootle 24/7 PBS KIDS channel and the Explorer Channel. Its transformational events and content spark curiosity and wonder for all North Carolinians. Additionally, PBS North Carolina serves as the backbone for North Carolina’s state emergency services. To learn more about PBS North Carolina, visit pbsnc.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

-PBS NC-

Media Contact 
Allyson Meade, Marketing & Communications 
PBS North Carolina 
press@pbsnc.org