Roots of The Woodwright's Shop with Roy Underhill

Nearly 30 years ago, Roy Underhill and a UNC-TV production crew taped a pilot episode for a new program at a small, tin-roofed "shop" located at West Point on the Eno River Park in Durham, North Carolina. Some 377 episodes later, that program, now known as The Woodwright's Shop with Roy Underhill, continues to delight viewers around the nation—and now around the world, thanks to online viewing. Since its humble beginning, The Woodwright's Shop with Roy Underhill offers enlightening and exuberant episodes in dozens of states, as well as internationally, with Roy creating one wooden masterpiece after another.

This season, The Woodwright's Shop with Roy Underhill marks its 29th year on PBS, making it one of the longest running of all PBS programs. With more than a million viewers nationwide, it's more than just another "how-to" show. Roy's formidable woodworking skills, passion for teaching and irrepressible charm result in part history lesson, part spontaneous entertainment.

Roy still hosts, writes and co-produces the show he created nearly three decades ago. In that time, he's also added a number of other job titles to that of woodworker—teacher, lecturer, consultant, author, entertainer and historian. Ever-creative, he always engages his audiences—from serious woodworkers to weekend crafters, as well as those who simply enjoy his show and have no intention of risking splinters.

In addition to his television duties, Roy spent 17 years at Colonial Williamsburg, engaging visitors from around the world in living history—equipping them with tools to discover the wisdom of their ancestors. Today, Roy still conveys his enthusiasm for history, innate ingenuity and sweat equity to his devoted fans, regardless of their skill levels. Witness the wisdom of the past with The Woodwright's Shop with Roy Underhill on PBS.