History Detectives Season 2 Episode 2

History Detectives Season 2 Episode 2 Monopoly; Japanese Internment Camp Artwork; The Lewis and Clark Cane

  • June 28, 2004

History Detectives is an American television show which premiered on PBS in the year 2003. It focuses on the discovery, investigation, and verification of historical artifacts and objects. Each episode of the show deals with multiple historical objects, and in this episode of season 2 of History Detectives, we delve into the stories of three such objects - a Monopoly set, Japanese Internment Camp Artwork, and The Lewis and Clark Cane.

The Monopoly set in question is said to have belonged to a World War II P.O.W. who claimed to have made it himself while in captivity. The detectives examine the board and the game pieces, trying to determine if the set was truly made from scrap materials by the prisoner. They also seek to find out how the set was able to make its way across the ocean and into the hands of the current owner.

The second object that comes under scrutiny is a collection of drawings and paintings that were created by a Japanese-American woman who was interned with her family during World War II. The woman, who was both an artist and a journalist, used her art to document her experiences in the camps. The detectives attempt to authenticate the artwork and track down any remaining members of the artist's family to explore what life was like for Japanese-Americans during this period of history.

The third object is a cane that supposedly belonged to William Clark of the famous Lewis and Clark expedition. The detectives start their investigation by looking into the provenance of the cane to see if it could potentially be an artifact dating back to the 19th century. They also consult with experts on different types of wood to determine if the type of wood used in the cane matches what would have been available in the early 1800s.

Throughout the episode, each object is explored in depth, with a focus on historical accuracy and attention to detail. The show provides a captivating insight into each object's backstory, from the wartime experience of the Monopoly set's creator to the story of the internment camps and the struggle of Japanese-Americans for recognition of their rights. Alongside this, we learn more about the famous Lewis and Clark expedition and the personalities involved.

History Detectives seeks to connect the dots between the objects they investigate and the larger historical story that these objects represent. Each episode highlights the importance of preserving history and exploring the past to better understand the present. For those interested in history, this episode is sure to provide fascinating insights and surprising revelations.

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Description
  • First Aired
    June 28, 2004
  • Language
    English