On Wednesday, September 21 beginning at 8 p.m., revisit the history and artistry of the Boston/New England Emmy® award-winning documentary series, Chasing Silver: The Story of Gorham. In three one-hour segments, the Rhode Island PBS Original follows the Gorham Manufacturing Company from its small, enterprising origins in 1831, to its rise as a world-class titan of silver manufacturing, and its subsequent decline after more than 130 years of brilliance.
Combining contemporary interviews with archival footage, photographs, and original concept art, the series chronicles how Gorham became synonymous with luxury and unparalleled craftsmanship. Driven by the characters and events that fashioned Gorham's success and ultimate decline, the series examines the delicate craft of silver design and the crushing toll of mass manufacturing.
As the story unfolds, viewers meet the academic experts, former employees, museum curators, and collectors entrusted with preserving Gorham's legacy, which reaches far beyond its extensive collection of silver.
Featuring magnificent pieces and drawings from the Textron collection of Gorham silver wares donated to the Rhode Island School of Design Museum, contemporary photos were taken during preparations for RISD's 2019 exhibition "Gorham Silver: Designing Brilliance, 1850-1970."
In addition to RISD Museum, several partners contributed to the film as resources or sites for reenactments: John Hay Library at Brown University, Blithwold Mansion, Salve Regina University, Babcock-Smith House, Providence Jewelry Museum, Rhode Island Historical Society, and the New England Wireless and Steam Museum.
Since its premiere in May 2021, Chasing Silver: The Story of Gorham has garnered multiple accolades, such as the prestigious gold Telly Award in May 2022, Best Historical Documentary in the National Education Telecommunications Association (NETA) 53rd Public Media Awards in January 2022, and a Boston/New England Emmy® for Outstanding Historical/Cultural Long-Form Content in June 2022. The film series was also accepted for national distribution by American Public Television.
The complete story of Chasing Silver: The Story of Gorham airs in a special three-part presentation on Wednesday, September 21 at 8 p.m., 9 p.m., and 10 p.m. and streams live at watch.ripbs.org/livestream.
Rhode Island PBS members can watch the Rhode Island PBS original series - as well as thousands of hours of other PBS content - any time, anywhere, on any device through Rhode Island PBS | Passport. Viewers can also acquire the three-DVD set as a 'thank you' gift for making a donation to support Rhode Island PBS production originals like this one and more.
Part 1 - September 21 at 8 p.m.
A small manufacturing company in Providence, Rhode Island, makes bold, innovative strides at the height of the American Industrial Revolution. A pioneering son transforms his father’s silver company from a one-horse operation into a multi-million-dollar enterprise. New methods of mass production lead to prosperity and growth, even as the company weathers the hardships of the Civil War.
Part 2 - September 21 at 9 p.m.
After losing its visionary leader, a young, ambitious sales executive guides Gorham into its golden age. A state-of-the-art silver manufacturing plant is built in the Elmwood section of Providence, and the Martelé line is launched to overwhelming critical acclaim. As World War I rages, Gorham adapts to survive.
Part 3 - September 21 at 10 p.m.
In the wake of war and economic disaster, Gorham grapples with an uncertain future. As the country prepares for a second World War, the company turns to munitions contracts to stay afloat. New designers leave their mark on the Gorham silver brand, while a climate of hostile takeovers and corporate mergers leaves Gorham grappling with an unstable future.
To read more about Gorham and the documentary series, visit the station website here.
MEET THE FILMMAKERS In this exclusive digital-only bonus content, get up close and personal with filmmakers Scott and Maria Saracen, the producers, directors, writers, and editors of Chasing Silver: The Story of Gorham. Scott and Maria share segments from the three-part series and their insightful conversations with several film participants, who in turn introduce the visionaries, artisans, and world events that shaped more than 130 years of Gorham silver. WATCH the presentation here. |
Chasing Silver: The Story of Gorham is sponsored in part by
WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits high-definition (HD) programming over the air on digital 36.1; Cox 08 / 1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08 / 508HD, and Full Channel 08; Comcast 819HD and Verizon FiOS 18 / 518HD; DirecTV 36, Dish Network 36. Rhode Island PBS is now available to subscribers of YouTubeTV. The full schedule is available to live stream for free within the broadcast viewing area at watch.ripbs.org/livestream. An expansive catalog of PBS series, documentaries, and specials is available to Rhode Island PBS members through Rhode Island PBS Passport.
[Image courtesy of the Dallas Museum of Art]
