Ep 8. A Father's Mission

In season 11, episode 8 of Mysteries at the Museum, entitled "A Father's Mission," the host, Don Wildman, sets out on a journey to uncover the history and stories behind some of America's most intriguing artifacts.

The first artifact on his list is a wooden crate containing a strange-looking object. It turns out to be a piece of film equipment invented by a man named Earl Sponable. This invention revolutionized the Hollywood film industry in the 1930s, and Sponable hoped to use it to create a new kind of documentary film that would expose the plight of the poor and needy in America. Wildman sets out to discover whether Sponable's dream was ever realized and what happened to his unique invention.

Next, Wildman travels to the city of Houston, Texas, where he comes across a small red wagon with a tragic story. The wagon belonged to a young boy named Richard Block who suffered from a hereditary blood disorder and needed constant treatment. Richard's father, Dr. Sol Block, was determined to find a cure for his son's illness and spent his entire life searching for a solution. Wildman delves into the story of Richard and Dr. Block, learning about their incredible resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

The third artifact Wildman investigates is a large, intricate model of a boat, which catches his attention immediately. It turns out to be a model of the Titanic, created by a man named William Minshall. Minshall was a former Titanic crew member who worked as a stenographer on the ill-fated voyage. He survived the sinking but was deeply affected by the tragedy and spent the rest of his life obsessively creating elaborate models of the ship. Wildman sets out to discover what drove Minshall to devote his life to this unusual hobby.

Moving on, Wildman takes a closer look at a small object that seems unremarkable at first glance - a brown leather wallet. However, he soon learns that this wallet belonged to Josephus Daniels, the Secretary of the Navy under President Woodrow Wilson. The wallet was present at a pivotal moment in U.S. history - the signing of the armistice agreement that ended World War I. Wildman explores how this seemingly mundane object played a role in one of the defining moments of the 20th century.

Finally, Wildman uncovers the story behind a strange church artifact - a stone statue that was once part of a Catholic church in the city of Chicago. The statue has a fascinating backstory that involves a young girl named Miracle, who began to display signs of stigmata - the appearance of wounds that resemble those of Jesus Christ - while attending mass at the church. Wildman delves into the mystery of Miracle and the statue, attempting to uncover whether the girl's claims were genuine or if there was a more sinister agenda at play.

Overall, "A Father's Mission" is a thought-provoking and engaging episode of Mysteries at the Museum that explores the histories and stories behind a range of unusual and intriguing objects. From film equipment to historic artifacts and personal tales of triumph and tragedy, this episode highlights the power of objects to connect us to our past and to inspire us to look forward to the future.