HoustonPBS/Channel 8 to Air Evening of Galveston Programming During Spring Membership Campaign!

As part of their Summer Membership Campaign, HoustonPBS will air an evening of Galveston-related program on Monday, June 13 beginning at 7 p.m.  The night begins with a presentation of Galveston Island, a documentary film about the history of the island, and the rebuilding and resiliency of the islanders post-Hurricane Ike. KPRC-TV’s Frank Billingsley narrates the 55-minute program produced by Texas Foundation for the Arts.

Immediately following at 8 p.m., Galveston: Gateway on the Gulf explores Galveston’s role as a port of entry for successive waves of immigrants during the 19th and early 20th centuries.  This Houston PBS/Windward Media documentary was partially filmed on ELISSA and includes dramatic recreations shot in and around Galveston as well as interviews with historians and experts.  

“These are the kind of documentaries the station is passionate about presenting to the community because they help us understand our own rich history,” says Ken Lawrence, Director of Programming at HoustonPBS.

The station worked with the Galveston Historical Foundation in producing these documentaries and foundation supporters will be in the HoustonPBS studios answering phones that evening.

"Galveston Historical Foundation has a long involvement with PBS and we look forward to featuring ELISSA, the official tall ship of Texas, on Galveston Night, June 13. The opportunity to support our PBS station and to inform the audience on ELISSA is welcomed." Dwayne Jones, Executive Director of Galveston Historical Foundation.

To encourage viewers to call in and pledge, the station is offering a special drawing. Anyone who calls in will have a chance to win a Galveston weekend getaway package which includes a two-night stay at the Hotel Galvez or Tremont House.

Galveston Island airs Monday, June 13 at 7 p.m. and Galveston: Gateway on the Gulf airs at 8:10 p.m. For more information or to become a Channel 8 member, call 713-743-8483.

###

Julie Coan

Director of Communications and External Relations
(713) 743–8460
jcoan@houstonpbs.org