The popular series Legacy List with Matt Paxton returns in January 2021 with a new season of eight one-hour episodes about families preparing to downsize their homes. Part Antiques Roadshow and part Finding Your Roots, the series captures each family’s emotional journey as Matt and his team of historians, conservators and experts help them sort through a house full of memories. As a first step, Matt asks families to create a legacy list of essential, must-have items that are missing or about which they’d like to learn more. Each item tells a compelling story, and, through heartfelt conversations with the families, Matt uncovers the compelling story behind each item and what it means to the family’s unique past.
Distributed by American Public Television (APT), Legacy List with Matt Paxton premieres on public television stations in January 2021 (check local listings). New episodes will stream on pbs.org each week for eight consecutive Fridays beginning January 8, 2021.
This season, Matt and the team help a diverse group of families, whose individual histories reflect the larger American story, from the nation’s founding in the 1700s through the civil rights era to the stories of more recent immigrants. Legacy List with Matt Paxton touches on powerful topics, including the importance of family, facing up to painful parts of history, and the struggle between holding on to the past and embracing the future. Filming locations included Leesburg and Richmond, Virginia; Manheim, Pennsylvania; Washington, D.C.; Coventry, Connecticut; Dorchester, Massachusetts; Morristown, New Jersey; and East Hampton, New York.
“As hard as it was to film during the pandemic, it was what our clients and our team needed, to get back on the road and help people rediscover the important items that tell their family’s incredible stories of triumph and resolve,” said series host Paxton.
Matt brings with him an experienced team to help find the legacy list items, including Mike Kelleher, a walking encyclopedia of pop culture collectibles and antiques; Avi Hopkins, a culture, faith and military expert; and Jaime Ebanks, an expert in textiles, vintage clothing, fashion collectibles and travel. While Matt and the team hunt for the legacy list items, the episodes periodically spotlight the fascinating history behind the objects, creating an immersive journey into one family’s big, surprising and often bittersweet life transition.
“Season Two of Legacy List arrives at the perfect time: to kick off a new year. Viewers will be delighted to follow these families as they rediscover their own stories and prepare for a fresh start with the help of the Legacy List crew,” said VPM Chief Content Officer Steve Humble.
Legacy List with Matt Paxton is produced by MY Entertainment and Shipyard Entertainment in association with VPM, Virginia’s home for public media, and distributed by American Public Television (APT). The Executive Producers are Joe Townley, Michael Yudin, and Neil J. Patel.
