One hallmark of PBS Fort Wayne’s history has been the creation of a television archive of local history and culture with the documentaries we’ve produced through the years.
To celebrate this body of work, we're airing a new series — REWIND — weekly on Thursdays at 9:00pm. Each Thursday evening, plus an encore airing most Sunday evenings at 7:00pm (schedules may change during pledge periods or holidays), just before MASTERPIECE, you’ll be able to enjoy one of PBS Fort Wayne’s past documentaries, from our most recent to some not seen on our air for years.
Alongside recent favorites such as Truck Town, a History of International Harvester in Fort Wayne, Electric Legacy: The Story of General Electric in Fort Wayne, The Forgotten and A Home For The Arts, you’ll be able to watch documentaries such as E.L Cord: His Transportation Empire, Fort Wayne Firsts, Komet Tales, Ann Colone Remembers, WOWO Legends, Memorial City: The Lindenwood Chronicles and many more.
We hope you’ll enjoy this weekly look back at the history and the people that have made our area such a special place. Check out our broadcast schedule below, or look through our on-line schedule at pbsfortwayne.org/schedule or consult the times and dates that will be listed in the monthly Primetime program listings to see which documentaries will be featured each week.
Sunday, May 18
One of the oldest buildings used for higher education in Fort Wayne sits in the center of the Indiana Tech campus on Fort Wayne's east side. This documentary tells how, in 2009 and 2010, it was given new life and became a test bed for energy and resource efficiency in the process.
May 22 & 25
Hoosier Hospitality: Craft Beer from WTIU is an hour-long travelogue and informative documentary that takes you on an armchair journey into the world of craft beer and micro-brewing in Indiana. Meet unique individuals and hear their stories about craft beer and the art of brewing.
May 29-June 1
This documentary presentation tells of the history, design, construction and completion of the new Parkview Regional Medical Center located at I-69 and DuPont Road in north Fort Wayne, Indiana. It also tells the story of Parkview's evolution from the Fort Wayne City Hospital 1878, to a regional healthcare leader of today.
Now Streaming with Passport
The story of Fort Wayne's radio and TV history, especially the stories of the many personalities and people who have made it what it has become today, continues, in this sequel to "Fort Wayne On The Air."
Now Streaming with Passport
Fort Wayne’s broadcast heritage is as long and distinctive as radio and TV itself. In this documentary, you’ll not only learn the history of “Fort Wayne On The Air,” but also the backstories and personalities that made these broadcasts possible.
Now Streaming with Passport
During this fascinating presentation, you’ll be able to see some of the rarities and treasures from Fort Wayne’s past, as collected by their devotees. It’s a fun look into the past history of the Summit City as seen through collectors and their collectible items and what makes each collectible special.
Now Streaming with Passport
The heritage of Fort Wayne has an undeniable Teutonic flavor, thanks to the generations of Germans and German-Americans who settled here and have left their stamp on Fort Wayne and northeast Indiana. This presentation tells the story of their pioneering contributions to the Fort Wayne area, as well as the long-lasting cultural, political and economic impact they have made.
Now Streaming with passport
Fort Wayne’s identity is interwoven with places that have great meaning for residents. From the Gardner’s restaurant to the old Greyhound bus station; hotels, theaters and other places are remembered fondly. Using first-person narratives along with many archival photographs and other visual records, Fort Wayne Lost (But Not Forgotten) gives you and your family a look at places that might not be here physically anymore, but that still hold a special place in our hearts — and our history.
Now Streaming with Passport
The Fort Wayne area, being a natural crossroads, offers many homes with history to those who take the time to seek them out. That’s what this documentary, Homes With History, is all about. This classic PBS Fort Wayne production takes viewers on a tour some of this area’s most fascinating residences… houses that not only have a history — but whose presence and whose owners are woven into the history of our city.
Now Streaming with Passport
Learn about E.L. Cord, the namesake of a legendary line of American autos, but whose reach extended past the throes of the Great Depression to quietly create a transportation empire that revolutionized the way America moves, one that echoes to this day. Narrated by the late broadcast legend Chris Schenkel.
Now Streaming with Passport
In this presentation, you'll go beyond the classic cars that DeKalb County was most known for.
Visit St. Joe, the “Pickle Capitol” of the Midwest. Ride along with “Wild Bill” Fitzsimmons, one of Indiana’s earliest aviation pioneers. Go to Garrett, long known as one of the major rail hubs of America and home to legendary Creek Chub Bait Company fishing lures. Travel to Auburn and learn about this pivotal city beyond it’s rich automotive legacy. Kick back at the Cold Springs Resort and listen to stories of the musically famous, from the big bands and rock and rollers who put it on the map.
Now STREAMING WITH PASSPORT
In this documentary, join in the conversations with WOWO greats Bob Sievers, Bob Chase, Don Chevillet, Chris Roberts and Ron Gregory as they talk about their experiences on the air during the golden age of one of the midwest’s premier radio stations. You’ll hear about wacky promotional stunts, remotes and events and gain insights to one of America’s pioneering stations - by the men who helped write its history.
Now Streaming with passport
This presentation, the third in the "Fort Wayne Memories" series of documentaries, takes a look at the Summit City’s 20th century history a decade at a time. During this documentary, area residents recall life during the 1960s, a time of enormous change both here and throughout America.
Now Streaming with Passport
Flappers, rum runners, bootleggers, gangsters, molls...and Speakeasys. All these words defined the Prohibition era, especially in Fort Wayne and northeast Indiana. During this documentary, you’ll learn how this area came to grips with its Prohibition past. It looks at the history as well as some of the local mythology he that arose from this time. Archival images coupled with first-person interviews by those who know this area’s Prohibition backstory reveal parts of Fort Wayne’s secret history.
Now Streaming with Passport
At the confluence of the Three Rivers in downtown Fort Wayne is a piece of land—Headwaters Park—with a deep connection to all who have lived here. It has seen the passage of time and waters from this area’s earliest inhabitants to the thousands of people who gather and celebrate here today. Using archival resources with interviews and images from today, this documentary from PBS Fort Wayne will give you insight into a place that has become part of the heart and identity of the Summit City.
Now Streaming with Passport
This documentary takes you beyond mausoleums, grass and gravestones to offer insights of some of the people interred at Lindenwood Cemetery. The history of the cemetery itself is profiled as well as offering a look at how customs have changed since it was founded in 1859. Ultimately, this presentation offers a unique perspective on our present by examining the final resting place of those who’ve gone before us.
Now Streaming
This documentary is an examination of the history and architecture of some of Fort Wayne’s most recognizable landmarks - its churches. Featuring in-depth interviews with local historians, church officials, ministers, lay authorities and members of various congregations, this special production sheds light on the spiritual impact of these churches and how their architecture and physical presence has helped shape and define our community.
Now Streaming with Passport
This classic PBS Fort Wayne documentary focuses on the Bass Mansion, located in the heart of the University of Saint Francis campus. On-camera interviews from the architects, craftsmen and historians involved in this remarkable preservation project plus archival photos and more bring the history of the Bass Mansion one of Fort Wayne and northeast Indiana’s historic structures, alive.
Now Streaming
In this all-new documentary, we turn the camera on ourselves. During this presentation, you’ll be able to go back with PBS Fort Wayne to our beginning using archival images and footage combined with interviews of past and present staff. This special will give you an insider’s perspective on our history and what our mission of service to our community is all about.
Our REWIND Documentary Series is sponsored in part by:
