Season 8 Trailer
MUSEUM ACCESS Episode Clips — Season 8
Experience America’s favorite museums from comfort of your living room as we Salute America this season. Watch Museum Access, Where Every Visit is an Adventure! Join us on Public Television / PBS station nationwide and streaming on Amazon Video, YouTube, Tubi and Roku.
801 – LAKE PLACE OLYMPIC MUSEUM – Lake Placid, NY
Join host Leslie Mueller as she visits the Lake Placid Olympic Museum for an unforgettable journey into the spirit and legacy of the Winter Games. From the moment you step inside, you’re immersed in the rich history of Olympic competition. From striking vintage Olympic posters to iconic Team USA uniforms, pins, torches and much more that bring athletic achievement to life. See the very ice rink where one of the most inspiring moments in sports history took place, the legendary ‘’Miracle on Ice.’ Experience an exciting downhill ski jump exhibit and a take on the challenge of a bobsled run for a real thrill. Then join Leslie for an exclusive ‘behind-the-scenes’ look into the private archives to see some remarkable artifacts not typically on view for the public in this extraordinary museum.
802 – THE BEST OF THE BRAVE – NYC, CT, Washington, DC
Join host Leslie Mueller at the New York City Fire Museum as she steps back in time to discover the remarkable history of firefighting, from early hand-drawn engines to the traditions that shaped today’s fire service. Traveling to a modern-day Norwalk, CT firehouse, you’ll see how today’s trucks and life-saving equipment have evolved. Then go ‘behind-the-scenes’ into the on-site training area where firefighters prepare for real emergencies. The journey continues at the NationalMuseum of Law Enforcement where you’ll gain insight into the vital role law enforcement plays in solving complex cases, and learn how the 911 emergency system operates to save lives every day. America’s brave firefighters and law enforcement officers dedicate their lives to protecting our communities and exploring their world offers a powerful look at courage in action.
803 – THE SHELBURNE MUSEUM – Shelburne, VT
Join host Leslie Mueller for a visit to The Shelburne Museum on its breathtaking 45-acre campus with 39 unique buildings. Discover their extraordinary collections from vibrant folk art and classic paintings to historic carriages, intricate textiles, charming toys, beautifully crafted decoys and so much more. Explore the general store, the apothecary, blooming gardens, the carousel, the lighthouse and even a steam engine as you wander over to what was the highlight of our visit, the Ticonderoga Steamboat. Our private tour of this National Historic Landmark was amazing, bringing its’ colorful past vividly to life. We even got a ‘behind-the-scenes’ peek at the meticulous care this remarkable piece of American history enjoys year ‘round.
804 – THE PEOPLE’S HOUSE: A WHITE HOUSE EXPERIENCE – D.C.
Join host Leslie Mueller on her exciting visit to The People’s House: A White House Experience. Just steps away from the executive mansion in Washington, DC. for an immersive journey into the rich history of where Presidents have lived and worked. Walk in the footsteps of Presidents along the West Colonnade, and step into the iconic Oval Office, join an elegant State Dining Room event and witness daily life inside the White House. From sitting in on a simulated cabinet meeting to learning about the roles of the dedicated White House staff, each room brings the presidency to life through colorful objects and stories. Then join Leslie for a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the remarkable transformation of the Oval Office that takes place every four years, revealing how tradition and transition shape this iconic space in The People’s House.
805 – THE NORMAN ROCKWELL MUSEUM – Stockbridge, MA
Join host Leslie Mueller for a visit to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA for an intimate look into the life and legacy of beloved American Illustrator, Norman Rockwell. Home to the world’s largest collection of his original paintings, the museum showcases 323 Saturday Evening Post covers along with his iconic ‘Four Freedoms’ paintings, each capturing the spirt and values of everyday American life. Set on a beautiful 36-acre campus in the Berkshires, we explore Rockwell’s private painting studio, seeing his unusual palette, paint brushes and more, offering a glimpse into his detailed creative process. Our visit continues with a special behind-the-scenes visit to the museums’ archives, where we see rare and unusual personal artifacts not on public display, deepening our appreciation for this incredible artist and his enduring impact on people of all ages.
806 – AN AMERICAN HERO: ASTRONAUT JAMES LOVELL
Join host Leslie Mueller for an exclusive conversation with Capt. James A. Lovell who offers a remarkable firsthand perspective on the early days of America’s space program. From his experience during the pioneering Gemini missions to his leadership in the Apollo program, Captain Lovell shares what it was like to help shape a new era of exploration. Hearing in his own words the events that led up to the challenges of the Apollo 13 mission brings a new understanding of one of NASA’s most dramatic moments. Reflecting on teamwork, innovation and resilience, Lovell provides insight into how these missions helped establish the United States as a global leader in space exploration, while also sharing his enduring thoughts about life on Earth.
807 – WASHINGTON IRVING’S SUNNYSIDE – Irvington, NY
Join host Leslie Mueller for a visit into the world of Washington Irving bringing his legacy vividly to life at his beloved home, ‘Sunnyside’ nestled along the scenic Hudson River in Irvington, NY. Known for his early career in law before embarking on extensive European travels and serving as an American diplomat, Irving became one of the nation’s first literary icons, with an international reputation. His enduring works including ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ and ‘Rip Van Winkle’, helped define American storytelling with a rich imagination and roots in folklore. Exploring Sunnnyside reveals a deeply personal side of Irving as we’re shown artifacts he once used that are not on public view, offering a glimpse into his daily life and creative process. Our visit continues to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery where this literary legend was laid to rest.
808 – THE DRIEHAUS MUSEUM – Chicago, IL
Join host Leslie Mueller as she visits the unforgettable Driehaus Museum in Chicago. This very special museum will transport you into opulent Gilded Age America within this magnificent 1883 mansion. Showcasing exquisite period architecture, the museum is filled with richly carved woodwork, marble, ornate fireplaces, decorative arts, paintings and period furnishings. Flawless craftsmanship can be found from the floors to the ceiling in every room. We’ll see a special exhibit, ‘Tiffany Lamps: Beyond the Shade’. and learn how the masters at the Tiffany Studios created one-of-a kind glass lampshades as America was transitioning to electric lighting in the late 1800’s. Then we’ll see a truly amazing piece not normally on view in the museum.
809 – THE BEST OF AVIATION – CT, NY, MA
Join host Leslie Mueller for a journey through aviation history that spans three unforgettable museum experiences. We begin aboard the legendary aircraft carrier, the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, where we gobehind-the-scenes into the private restoration area to see a Blue Angels aircraft up close and learn about the bold, inspirational nose art that once adorned many military planes. From there we take to the skies aboard a restored B-17 Flying Fortress bomber plane as part of the ‘Wings of Freedom’ nationwide tour We gain a deeper appreciation for the vital roles of each crew member during wartime missions, including the insightful comments of an actual WWII bomber pilot. The adventure continues at the American Heritage Museum, home to an extraordinary private collection of aircraft ranging from early flying machines to more modern planes, where we see a demonstration that brings the pioneering spirit of early aviation vividly brings to life above the museum’s sprawling campus.
810 – LITCHFIELD LAW SCHOOL AND BEDFORD COURT HOUSE – NY, CT
Join host Leslie Mueller as she explores the origins of legal education in Early America with a visit to the Tappping Reeve House and LitchfieldLaw School. As our young nation emerged from years of British rule it faced the urgent need to establish its own system of laws. Tapping Reeve created the country’s first formal law school, a humble one room schoolhouse where he lectured every day. He shaped almost 1,000 future leaders including Vice President Aaron Burr, along with congressmen,senators, cabinet members and Supreme Court justices. A behind-the scenes visit to the school’s archives offer a rare look at important artifacts from this formative time in American history. The journey continues to the Bedford Court House & Museum, where court sessions first convened in 1788 and where young attorneys like Burr once argued cases. Learn about early court room protocol, the on-site jail cells, current day mock trails and see the impressive collection of local historical artifacts on view. We uncover the dramatic story of the ‘Burning of Bedford’ and the town’s inspiring resilience as it rebuilt in the aftermath of destruction.
