PBS’ POPULAR “HISTORY DETECTIVES” ADDS NEW GUEST CO-HOST TO SUMMER 2009 LINE-UP

PORTLAND, OR (October 20, 2008) Dr. Eduardo Pagán, professor of history and American studies at Arizona State University, has signed on as guest co-host for the popular PBS series HISTORY DETECTIVES.

The seventh season of the series is slated to begin airing on PBS in late June 2009 and will run throughout the summer of 2009. Professor Pagán will join Wes Cowan, Gwendolyn Wright, Elyse Luray and Tukufu Zuberi in sleuthing out the stories behind historical objects and artifacts submitted by viewers from across the country.

For his first story, Professor Pagán will trace the history of an unusual watch fob that is thought to commemorate Francisco “Pancho” Villa’s reputed raid on the town of Columbus, New Mexico.

Dr. Pagán, who lives in Phoenix, Arizona, is currently the Bob Stump Endowed Professor of History at Arizona State University. He has a master’s and a doctorate in U.S. history from Princeton University.

“To be sharing the love and fascination of history with a larger American audience is a tremendous privilege,” says Pagán.

An avid fan of HISTORY DETECTIVES, Pagán says he often references the show in his classes. “The show is all about history methods. How do historians know what is accurate? One of the things that I so enjoy about doing history is the process of discovery, and I think that’s what comes across in HISTORY DETECTIVES.”

Series co-executive producer David Davis says Pagán’s enthusiasm is contagious and his expertise is a great addition to the series. “Professor Pagán is a great complement to our on camera team. He brings a wealth of knowledge about the history of the American West and the Southwest in particular.”

“HISTORY DETECTIVES gets better with every season,” said John F. Wilson, senior vice president and chief TV programming executive for PBS. “I’m sure that will continue in season seven with the addition of new detective Dr. Pagán, whose passion for history will open up new explorations for our viewers.”

Pagán joins the field of fact-finders who have hosted HISTORY DETECTIVES for six seasons: Wes Cowan, independent appraiser and auctioneer; Elyse Luray, an independent appraiser and expert in art history; Gwendolyn Wright, professor of history and architecture, Columbia University; and Tukufu Zuberi, professor of sociology and the director of the Center for Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.

HISTORY DETECTIVES crisscrosses the country, delving into legends, folklore and personal histories to discover potentially extraordinary objects in everyday American homes, cities and small towns. Lion Television (UK) and Oregon Public Broadcasting co-produce the series.


* Do you have an object that might have had a role in American history? Submit your story through the HISTORY DETCTIVES Web site (pbs.org/historydetectives). Additionally, Web site visitors can explore past HISTORY DETECTIVES investigations; try their hand at being a History Detective themselves; learn investigative techniques; play online games; view video; find teacher lesson plans and more.

HISTORY DETECTIVES is available from PBS Home Video: ShopPBS.org; 877-PBS-SHOP, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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