TOPEKA — The popular PBS series “History Detectives” will air an episode tonight that includes a visit to Kansas. A PBS crew filmed at the Kansas State Archives and Library in Tpeka for the episode, which will be tonight at 7 on KTWU and other PBS stations. In the “Civil War Letters” episode, History Detectives investigator Eduardo Pagán explores the story of stamp collectors who found letters addressed to a William Blackford of Washington. William Blackford was a free-state settler in Kansas Territory and was one of the first Kansas legislators. One letter appears to be from his brother, John Blackford, who asks for help in becoming an officer in a U.S. Colored Troops regiment. A second letter informs William Blackford that his brother John has been wounded. Pagán worked with Kansas State Historical Society staff to do the research for the episode.
Tuesday, July 12, 10 a.m.
