[CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY CARDI'S FURNITURE AND MATTRESSES] >> TONIGHT ON RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY.

>> MORE THAN A HUNDRE DOZEN YEAS AGO, SHE WAS ACQUITTED OF MURDERING HER FATHER AND STEP.

BUT FOR MANY, BEING FOUND NOT GUILTY IS NOT PROOF OF INNOCENCE.

>> IT IS PEOPLE THAT MAKE IT COMPLICATED.

AGATHA CHRISTIE IS THE ONE WHO SAID WHO HAD THE MOTIVE AND OPPORTUNITY?

>> WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO FOLKS WHO SAY IF YOU MOVE BEYOND CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, YOU ARE RACING HISTORY?

>> WE ERASED A LOT OF HISTORY TO MAKE COLUMBUS HISTORY.

WE HAD TO WHITEWASH A GREAT DEAL OF EXPLORATION.

♪ ANCHOR: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY.

I'M PAMELA WATTS.

WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH A LOOK AT ONE OF THE MOST NOTORIOUS MURDERS IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

THE VICTIMS, ANDREW AND ABBY BORDEN, WERE KILLED IN THEIR FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS HOME.

SUSPICION FELL ON ANDREW'S DAUGHTER, LIZZIE BORDEN, WHO STOOD TRIAL FOR THE MURDERS.

THE CRIME SCENE RECENTLY CAME UP FOR SALE.

CONTRIBUTE IN REPORTER DAVID WRIGHT WENT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS ENDURING MYSTERY.

DAVID: SEVEN BEDROOMS, THREE 3.5 BATH VICTORIAN LOADED WITH HISTORY.

>> IT IS AN UNUSUAL PIECE OF REAL ESTATE BUT IT IS A NICHE.

DAVID: EASILY THE MOST FAMOUS HOUSE IN FALL RIVER.

ASKING PRICE, $2 MILLION.

SUZANNE IS THE LISTING AGENT.

IS IT HARD TO SELL A CRIME SCENE?

>> IT IS INTERESTING TO CELIE CRIME SCENE.

EVERYBODY KNOWS LIZZIE BORDEN.

YOU WILL NOT KNOW UNTIL YOU TAKE THE TOUR.

IT IS WORLD KNOWN.

IT'S ACTUALLY FAIRLY EASY TO SELL IT.

WE PUT IT ON THE MARKET ON A MONDAY AND WE HAD OFFERS ON FRIDAY.

DAVID: EVEN A $2 MILLION?

>> YES.

DAVID: THAT IS BECAUSE THE LIZZIE BORDEN HOUSE HAS A UNIQUE DRAW.

IT MAY BE THE ONLY BED-AND-BREAKFAST IN NEW ENGLAND THAT IS ALSO A CRIME SCENE.

DO PEOPLE GET A DISCOUNT FOR SITTING IN THE MURDER ROOM?

>> THAT IS THE MOST REQUESTED ROOM.

NO, I WOULD NOT SLEEP THERE.

DAVID: IS IT HAUNTED?

>> YOU COULD BE THE JUDGE OF THAT.

YOU COULD BE THE JUDGE.

DAVID: WE SPENT THE NIGHT AT THE LIZZIE BORDEN B&B, ALONG WITH AMATEUR HISTORIAN SHELLEY.

>> THIS IS THE DOOR HE CAME THROUGH.

DAVID: SHE HAS PUBLISHED A NUMBER OF LIZZIE BORDEN BOOKS, RUNS A POPULAR WEBSITE AND FOR 25 YEARS, SHE WAS A TOUR GUIDE.

SHE IS NO SHRINKING VIOLET.

>> AND CONTACT.

PROBABLY THE FIRST OR SECOND, WE WERE GONE.

DAVID: THE YEAR WAS 1892, AUGUST 4.

LIZZIE BORDEN WAS 32 YEARS OLD LIVING AT HOME.

IT WAS SHE WHO DISCOVERED HER DAD'S BODY AROUND LUNCHTIME ON THIS COUCH WHERE ANDREW BORDEN HAD LAID DOWN FOR A NAP A SHORT WHILE BEFORE.

>> SHE SAID SHE CAME BACK FROM THE BARN, SHE WAS OUT THERE FOR A WHILE.

SHE SAID I PUT MY HAT ON THE TABLE AND I DISCOVERED FATHER.

THIS CLEARLY HAD JUST HAPPENED.

THE BLOOD WAS STILL FLOWING, IT WAS BRIGHT RED.

AND SHE WAS ALONE.

MY REACTION WOULD BE TO RUN TO THE FRONT DOOR, OPEN IT AND SCREAM.

DAVID: YES, AND NEVER COME BACK TO THE HOUSE.

>> BUT SHE DIDN'T.

MOST PEOPLE WOULD WANT TO GET OUT.

DAVID: ONLY AFTER POLICE AND NEIGHBORS FINALLY ARRIVED WAS THE SECOND BUDDY DISCOVERED -- BODY DISCOVERED.

ABBY BORDEN, HER STEPMOTHER, FOUND INSIDE UPSTAIRS.

DAVID: SHE SAW HER ASSAILANT FOR SURE.

DAVID: KILLED HOURS EARLIER, APPARENTLY WHILE MAKING THE BED.

>> THE THINKING IS THE ASSAILANT MIGHT HAVE STRADDLED THE BODY, PERHAPS GRABBED THE HEAD BY THE HAIR AND WAILED AWAY AT THAT.

THE MAJORITY OF THE BLOWS ARE WHEN SHE'S ON THE FLOOR.

DAVID: HOW MANY TIMES WHAT SHE STRUCK?

>> 19.

DAVID: PLENTY.

THE BRUTALITY OF THE CRIME ONLY SLIGHTLY EXAGGERATED BY THE OLD JUMP ROPE SONG.

>> ♪ TOOK AN AXE GAVE HER MOTHER 40 WHACKS ♪ >> SHE GOT ABOUT TWICE AS MANY WAX AS MR. BORDEN -- WHACKS AS MR. BORDEN.

11 WAS THE FINAL BURDEN ON HIM AND 19 FOR HER.

DAVID: EVEN 19 WHACKS SUGGEST A LOT OF HATRED, ALL OF WHICH IS NOT SO COMFORTING AS NIGHT FAS LLS IN THE EVENING GLOOM SETS IN.

SO, I'M SLEEPING TONIGHT IN WHAT USED TO BE LIZZIE BORDEN'S BEDROOM.

AND ABBY BORDEN'S BEDROOM, THE STEPMOTHER, IS JUST A FEW FEET AWAY.

ANDREW BORDEN WAS KILLED JUST DOWNSTAIRS.

I LEARNED WHAT IS APPARENTLY AN OLD SAYING TODAY, WHICH I FIRMLY BELIEVE.

THAT IS I DON'T BELIEVE IN GHOSTS, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN I'M NOT SCARED OF THEM.

SWEET DREAMS.

THIS B&B GIVES NEW MEANING TO RIP, REST IN PEACE.

I DID HEAR SOME VOICES IN THE NIGHT.

I'M PRETTY SURE IT WAS THE OTHER GUESTS.

LIZZIE BORDEN WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY A SUSPECT, BUT THERE WERE DETAILS OF HER STORY THAT DIDN'T ADD UP.

HER ALIBI WAS THIN, THERE WAS NO SIGNS OF A BREAK-IN OR ROBBERY.

LIZZIE WAS LATER OBSERVED BURNING A BLUE DRESS THAT SHE CLAIMED WAS STAINED WITH PAINT.

>> AND MAKES NO SENSE.

IT DOESN'T FIT.

IF IT DOESN'T FIT, YOU MUST ACQUIT.

DAVID: 100 YEARS BEFORE O.J.

SIMPSON, 100 YEARS BEFORE THE MEN AND HIS BROTHERS -- THE MENENDEZ BROTHERS.

>> I'M JUST A NORMAL KID.

>> YOU ARE A NORMAL KID WHO KILLED YOUR PARENTS.

>> I KNOW.

DAVID: THE LIZZIE BORDEN CASE WAS THE ORIGINAL TRIAL OF THE CENTURY.

THE TRIAL TOOK PLACE IN THIS NEW BEDFORD COURTHOUSE ALMOST A FULL YEAR AFTER THE CRIME.

THIS WAS A BRUTAL MURDER IN VICTORIA NEW ENGLAND AND THE SUSPECT WAS A WOMAN, SO YOU CAN IMAGINE THE ATTENTION THEY DREW FROM THE NEWS MEDIA.

IT WAS HUGE.

IN THE ABSENCE OF MODERN FORENSICS AND WITH PLENTY OF UNANSWERED QUESTIONS, THERE WAS NO SHORTAGE OF WHAT TODAY MIGHT BE REFERRED TO AS FAKE NEWS.

BUT, IT WAS A SENSATIONAL TRIAL, AND IN THE END, THE JURY DELIBERATED FOR JUST OVER ONE HOUR BEFORE RENDERING A VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY.

>> IN THE COURT OF LAW, SHE WAS ACQUITTED, BUT IN THE COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION IN THE CITY, MANY PEOPLE THOUGHT SHE WAS GUILTY.

♪ DAVID: LIZZIE AND HER SISTER INHERITED EVERYTHING.

THEY MOVED TO THIS MANSION IN A FANCIER NEIGHBORHOOD OF FALL RIVER.

MAPLECROFT IS ALSO FOR SALE, FULLY FURNISHED.

>> THIS IS THE ORIGINAL WALLPAPER OR SAID TO BE THAT LIZZIE PICKED OUT.

APPARENTLY, SHE LIKED THE COLOR BLUE.

DAVID: LIZZIE BORDEN LIVED OUT THE REST OF HER DAYS HERE.

HOW MUCH DID SHE END UP INHERITING?

>> THE ESTIMATE WAS AROUND $500,000.

DAVID: IN 1892 DOLLARS.

WHICH WOULD BE WORTH WHAT TODAY?

>> SOMEONE ONCE SAID YOU COULD MULTIPLY THAT ABOUT TIMES SIX.

DAVID: YOU COULD PICTURE HER LIVING COMFORTABLY HERE, BUT ALSO AWKWARDLY CLOSE TO THE MURDER SCENE.

>> WELL, NO ONE EVER LET LIZZIE FORGET.

DAVID: CHILDREN WOULD COME TO MAPLECROFT TO TAUNT HER.

>> CHILDREN WOULD COME IN THE YARD, AND THEY WOULD SING THAT LITTLE SONG ABOUT LIZZIE BORDEN TOOK AN AX AND STAND OUT ON THE LAWN.

DAVID: WHEN SHE WAS ALIVE?

>> IT WAS SUNG TO A TUNE.

♪ LIZZIE BORDEN TOOK AN AX GAVE HER MOTHER 40 WHACKS ♪ ONCE SHE WAS NEAR THE END OF HER LIFE, SOMEBODY IN THE HOSPITAL SAID, WHY DID YOU NEVER LEAVE FALL RIVER?

YOU CERTAINLY COULD HAVE AFFORDED TO LIVE ANYWHERE.

AND, I THINK SHE FELT IF SHE HAD LEFT THE CITY, IT WOULD BE LIKE AN ADMISSION OF GUILT.

THIS WAS HER HOME.

SHE FACED IT DOWN AND, BY GOD, SHE WAS GOING TO STAY HERE.

DAVID: AND IN WHAT SEEMS LIKE THE ULTIMATE IRONY -- >> LIZZIE LEFT A NOTE IN HER WILL -- "I WISH TO BE BURIED AT MY FATHER'S FEET."

DAVID: LIZZIE BORDEN WILL SPEND ETERNITY RIGHT BESIDE THE TWO PEOPLE SHE'S ACCUSED OF MURDERING.

>> AND THERE SHE IS, AT HER FATHER'S FEET.

DAVID: THIS IS DAD AND THIS IS LIZZIE BORDEN.

>> THIS WOULD BE HER HEAD HERE.

THE CASKET GOES OUT THIS WAY.

SHE IS INDEED AT HER FATHER'S FEET.

DAVID: MORE THAN A CENTURY LATER, THAT ELEMENT OF UNSOLVED MYSTERY IS WHAT MAKES LIZZIE BORDEN FALL RIVER'S BIGGEST TOURIST ATTRACTION.

>> IN 2019, WE HAD OVER 18,000 PEOPLE WALK THROUGH THIS HOUSE.

THAT COULD BE PEOPLE EITHER ON A TOUR OR PEOPLE SPENDING THE NIGHT.

DAVID: 18,000?

>> FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

DAVID: FOLKS LIKE LISA SMITH AND HER FAMILY WHO CAME ALL THE WAY FROM KNOXVILLE.

WHAT BROUGHT YOU HERE TODAY?

>> IT IS ON MY BUCKET LIST.

I DID A PAPER IN COLLEGE ABOUT LIZZIE BORDEN.

DAVID: DO YOU THINK THE JURY DID THE RIGHT THING?

>> I WOULD VOTE THAT SHE DID IT BECAUSE FROM WHAT I HEAR, SHE KEPT CHANGING THE STORY.

>> I COULD MAKE A CASE EITHER WAY.

DAVID: FOR HER PART, OUR EXPERT IS INCLINED TO AGREE.

SHELLY SAYS IT IS JUST NOT POSSIBLE THAT SOME RANDOM STRANGER COMMITTED THIS CRIME.

>> AND WHY WASN'T LIZZIE MURDERED?

IF THIS WAS A HOMICIDAL MANIAC OFF ON A SPREE, WHY WOULD HE LEAVE HER SITTING IN THE KITCHEN, HAVING COOKIES AND COFFEE AND WALK RIGHT BY HER?

DAVID: TALK ABOUT OCCAM'S RAZOR, OR THE HATCHET.

THE SIMPLEST EXPLANATION.

>> MURDER IS GENERALLY A PRETTY SIMPLE THING.

IT IS PEOPLE THAT MAKE IT COMPLICATED.

AGATHA CHRISTIE SAID WHO HAD THE WEAPON, MOTIVE AND OPPORTUNITY?

SHE HAD ALL THREE.

PAMELA: THANKS TO DAVID WRIGHT.

THE NEXT STORY COMBINES MYSTERY AND SOME MYTH MAKING.

HISTORY BOOKS HAVE TALKED ABOUT CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS AND HIS JOURNEY IN 1492 WHEN HE DISCOVERED WHAT WOULD BECOME THE UNITED STATES, BUT DID HE?

IN FACT, COLUMBUS MADE A WRONG TURN, MISSING THE LANDMASS ENTIRELY.

SO, HOW DID HE BECOME THIS HISTORICAL ICON?

CONTRIBUTING REPORTER BILL BARR FALL MEAL HAS THE STORY -- BILL BARTHOLOMEW HAS THE STORY.

BILL: CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS WAS A HISTORICAL FIGURE BUT TURNED INTO AN AMERICAN KING ARTHUR.

ONE OF THE THINGS YOU NEED TO CREATE THAT SENSE OF NATIONAL UNITY IS A BACK STORY.

YOU NEED A FOUNDING STORY.

BILL: THAT BACKS IS SOMETHING EDWARD HAS WRITTEN ABOUT.

HIS COMPARISON OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS TO A FICTIONAL HISTORICAL FIGURE SUGGESTS THAT MUCH OF WHAT WE HAVE ALL COME TO KNOW ABOUT COLUMBUS, INCLUDING THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STAPLE "IN 1492, COLUMBUS SAILED THE OCEAN BLUE" NARRATIVE IS AT BEST AN EXAGGERATION.

>> HE WAS CHOSEN AS A UNIFYING FIGURE.

YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER IN 1792, IT WAS BARELY A COUNTRY.

THE INK WAS BARELY DRY ON THE CONSTITUTION.

THERE WAS NO REAL MEANINGFUL SENSE IN WHICH THE UNITED STATES WAS POLITICALLY UNIFIED AS THE UNITED STATES, TO THE EXTENT PEOPLE HAD A CONCEPTION OF CITIZENSHIP OR IDENTITY.

IT WAS GOING TO BE TIED TO WHAT WAS A COLONY AND NOW A STATE OR THE CITY THEY LIVED IN OR THEIR REGION.

THE IDEA OF THE UNITED STATES AS A WHO KNOW FIVE WHOLE -- UNIFIED WHOLE DID NOT EXIST.

BILL: IN AN ATTEMPT TO DEVELOP NATIONAL UNITY, THE FOUNDING FATHERS WANTED TO CREATE A DEEPER BACK STORY.

ONE THAT DID NOT ELEVATE A LIVING PERSON TO THE ROLE OF FOUNDER.

>> THERE WAS A SENSE THAT THEY NEEDED HISTORICAL FIGURE RATHER THAN PUTTING TOO MUCH EMPHASIS ON SOMEBODY WHO WAS A CURRENT POLITICAL FIGURE LIKE WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, MADISON, JEFFERSON, THE POLITICAL FIGURES WELL KNOWN AT THAT TIME WERE NOT REALLY CONSIDERED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COUNTRY, SO MUCH AS THEY WERE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE VIRGINIA PLANTER CLASS.

BILL: PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANT TO THE FOUNDERS WAS TO HAVE SOMEONE WHO HAD NO CONNECTION TO ENGLAND.

>> AND THAT WAS REALLY THE BEST THING HE HAD GOING IN HIS FAVOR, AS FAR AS HIS UTILITY AS A FOUNDING FIGURE.

BILL: SO IN AN EFFORT TO DEVELOP NATIONAL UNITY, THE FOUNDING FATHERS DECIDED TO INCORPORATE COLUMBUS AS A QUASIMYTHOLOGICAL FIGUREHEAD, IN SPITE OF THE FACT HE HAD NEVER STEP FOOT IN WHAT WOULD BECOME THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES, HAD EXPLORED THE SO-CALLED NEW WORLD CENTURIES BEFORE THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, AND HAD WELL DOCUMENTED VIOLENT INTERACTIONS WITH THE PEOPLE HE CAME UPON WHILE EXPLORING HISPANIOLA.

AS TIME WENT ON, COLUMBUS' ROLE AS THE PERSON WHO DISCOVERED THE UNITED STATES WAS EXTENDED TO INCLUDE HIS CULTURAL CONNECTION TO HIS HERITAGE ON THE PENINSULA KNOWN TODAY AS ITALY.

>> FAST FORWARDING TO CONTEMPORARY TIMES TO FOLKS WHO HAD RETAINED COLUMBUS AS THIS CULTURAL ICON, SPECIFICALLY THOSE WHO ARE ITALIAN DESCENT.

>> THE CONNECTION TO ITALIAN AMERICANS DID NOT COME UNTIL NEARLY 150 YEARS INTO COLUMBUS' ROLE AS A FOUNDING FIGURE.

IN 1792 AND THEN A CENTURY AFTER THAT IN 1893, THE COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION CELEBRATED COLUMBUS FROM A PURE SORT OF AMERICAN FOUNDING FIGURE PERSPECTIVE.

BILL: HE SAYS THAT PRIOR TO THE ENACTMENT OF COLUMBUS DAY AS A FEDERAL HOLIDAY IN 1934, COLUMBUS WAS SIMPLY UNDERSTOOD TO BE IN EXPLORER THAT DISCOVERED AMERICA.

AND THAT HIS SPANISH ROOTS WERE BARELY, IF EVER MENTIONED.

AND HE SAYS COLUMBUS DAY CELEBRATIONS ULTIMATELY -- >> GOT TIED UP WITH THE APPEASEMENT OF ITALIAN AMERICANS AS A VOTING BLOC.

AN ATTEMPT TO POLITICALLY REACH OUT TO AND INCORPORATE INTO THE POLITICS OF THE EARLY 20TH SO, THAT IS WHEN ITALIAN AMERICANS AND COLUMBUS BECAME INTERTWINED.

BILL: IN RHODE ISLAND, A COLUMBUS STATUE THAT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 1893 STOOD IN THE ELMWOOD SECTION OF PROVIDENCE FOR WELL OVER A CENTURY.

IN RECENT YEARS HOWEVER, THIS STATUE HAS DRAWN SIGNIFICANT IRE AND HAS BEEN DEFACED WITH PAINT MULTIPLE TIMES IN PROTEST.

ULTIMATELY, THE STATUE WAS REMOVED ALTOGETHER.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO FOLKS WHO SAY, WELL, IF YOU MOVE BEYOND CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS AS A HISTORIC FIGURE, YOU ALREADY RACING HISTORY -- ARE R ERASING HISTORY?

>> I THINK WE ERASED A LOT OF HISTORY IN ORDER TO MAKE COLUMBUS A FOUNDING FIGURE.

IN ORDER TO MAKE HIM -- YOUR FOUNDING FIGURE IS SUPPOSED TO BE SOMEONE UNIVERSALLY REVIEWED.

SOMEBODY WHO IS NOT CONTROVERSIAL.

I GO BACK TO THE ENGLISH AND KING ARTHUR WHO EVEN A REAL PERSON.

THIS FICTIONALIZED FOUNDING HISTORICAL FIGURE.

IN ORDER TO MAKE COLUMBUS THAT PERSON FOR THE UNITED STATES, WE REALLY HAD TO WHITEWASH A GREAT DEAL OF THE AGE OF EXPLORATION.

AND MUCH OF IT, INCLUDING WHAT WAS WRITTEN ABOUT COLUMBUS DURING AND SHORTLY AFTER HIS LIFETIME, WAS VERY UNFLATTERING TOWARDS HIM.

BILL: WHAT IS A PATHWAY FORWARD, A PRAGMATIC PATHWAY FORWARD TO GET FOLKS WHO ARE NOT ON BOARD WITH THE NOTION THAT MAYBE IT IS NOT REMOVING STATUES, BUT REINTERPRETING AND PROBABLY PROPERLY INTERPRETING HISTORY IN TERMS OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS?

>> MY VIEW IS WE HAVE TO CORRECTLY UNDERSTAND AMERICA AS A COUNTRY THAT DOES NOT HAVE A FOUNDER.

THIS IS NOT A NATION WHERE WE CAN POINT TO A SPECIFIC PERSON WHO WON A BATTLE AT A SPECIFIC POINT IN HISTORY AND SAY HE LAID THE FOUNDING CORNERSTONE FOR THIS SOCIETY.

THIS IS A COUNTRY WHERE OUR HISTORY AND OUR FOUNDING, SO TO SPEAK, UNFOLDED PAINFULLY SLOWLY.

IF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS IS NOT CELEBRATED, THE ANSWER IS NOT SIMPLY REPLACEMENT.

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS WE DON'T HAVE A FOUNDER IN THIS COUNTRY.

WE'VE UNFOLDED, WE'VE DEVELOPED OVER A PERIOD OF HUNDREDS OF YEARS IN WAYS THAT COUNTRIES THAT INFLUENCE THE AMERICAN POLITICAL TRADITION HAVE NOT.

PAMELA: OUR THANKS TO BILL.

THE COLUMBUS STATUE IN PROVIDENCE WAS CREATED IN 1892 BY FAMES STATUE OF LIBERTY SCULPTURE.

AFTER ITS REMOVAL, THE CITY'S SPECIAL COMMITTEE FOR COMMEMORATIVE WORKS MADE SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS, INCLUDING ONE THAT CALLED FOR THE REMOVAL TO REMAIN PERMANENT.

HOWEVER, THE FATE OF THE STATUE IS FAR FROM SETTLED.

THE DECISION WILL ULTIMATELY BE MADE BY THE PROVIDENCE PARKS COMMISSION.

UP NEXT, CHASING SILVER.

THE STORY OF THE MANUFACTURING COMPANY FOUNDED IN PROVIDENCE IN 1831 WITH THE SUBJECT OF A THREE-PART DOCUMENTARY SERIES.

RHODE ISLAND PBS DOCUMENTARIAN SCOTT AND URIAS FOLLOWED THE COMPANY FROM ITS MODEST BEGINNINGS AS A MAKER OF JEWELRY AND SILVER SPOONS, TO ITS AMBITIOUS INNOVATION WHICH HELPED MAKE IT A WORLD-CLASS SILVER COMPANY.

TONIGHT, WE BRING YOU A PORTION OF THE DOCUMENTARY THAT EXPLORES ITS FEARLESS ADVANCEMENT OF THE SILVER PLATING PROCESS AS THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES RAGE ON.

♪ >> ON APRIL 20, 1861, OVER 1000 MEN FROM THE FIRST RHODE ISLAND INFANTRY LINED UP AT EXCHANGE PLACE IN PROVIDENCE TO MARCH OUT TO WAR.

RUMBLINGS OF A CIVIL WAR ALREADY CAUSED SILVER SALES TO DROP PRECIPITOUSLY AND THEY WERE DEALT A SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL BLOW.

EMPLOYEES WERE LAID OFF AND LEWIS DEXTER WITHDREW FROM THE PARTNERSHIP, TAKING HIS CAPITAL WITH HIM.

>> THIS IS NOT A PERIOD OF GREAT OUTPUT FOR COMPANIES LIKE THEM.

YOU OFTEN SEE IN THIS.

INNOVATION BECAUSE YOU ACTUALLY HAVE A SLOWING DOWN OF PRODUCTION THAT CAN ALLOW YOU TO GO INTO WHAT WE MIGHT THINK OF AS A RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PERIOD.

>> JOHN TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THAT IN A WAY.

HE CAME BACK FROM HIS TRIP IN ENGLAND, 11 YEARS PREVIOUSLY, WHAT HE LEARNED ABOUT ELECTROPLATING.

>> ELECTROPLATING IS THE PROCESS OF PUTTING IT A POSITIVE SILVER OVER A BASE METAL SUCH AS COPPER USING ELECTRICITY.

THE ELKINGTON COMPANY IN BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND WERE THE LEADERS AND PATENTED THE PROCESS IN 1840.

>> HE'S ACTUALLY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW ELKINGTON IS DOING THEIR SILVER PLATING AND ELKINGTON WON'T LET HIM INTO THE FACTORY TO FIND OUT.

>> ELKINGTON'S PATENTS RAN OUT IN 1860.

ALL OF A SUDDEN IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, YOU SEE JOHN GORHAM GOING TO THE ELECTROPLATING BUSINESS.

>> THAT DROWNED OUT THE COST BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT USING THAT MUCH SILVER TO MAKE SOMETHING LOOK LIKE IT WAS MADE OF SILVER.

>> GORHAM PROMOTED THEIR ELECTRO PLATED SILVER AS BEING THE FINEST IN THE INDUSTRY.

THEY PLATED WITH FOUR TIMES AS MUCH SILVERED AS STANDARD.

A PROCESS KNOWN AS QUADRUPLE PLATE.

>> THERE ARE SEVERAL INSTANCES IN WHICH THE SAME DESIGN WAS MADE IN BOTH STERLING AND ELECTROPLATING.

>> FOR THOSE THAT WERE POOR IN PURSE BUT GREAT IN ASPIRATION, SILVER PLATE WAS A GREAT CHOICE.

>> BY 1863, GORHAM SALES WERE AT A RECORD HIGH.

NEARLY QUADRUPLING SINCE THE START OF THE WAR.

THE TWO REMAINING PARTNERS, JOHN AND GORHAM, DECIDED TO INCORPORATE AS THE GORHAM MANUFACTURING COMPANY, EACH WITH EQUAL SHARES IN JOINT CONTROL -- AND JOINT CONTROL.

AS THE WAR RAGED ON, GORHAM CONTINUED TO SUPPLY SILVER WITH THOSE FOR THE MEANS TO BUY IT.

ONE SUCH PATRON WAS THE PRESIDENT'S WIFE, MARY TODD LINCOLN.

>> WHEN THE LINCOLNS MOVED INTO THE WHITE HOUSE, IT WAS IN A STATE OF POOR REPAIR.

SHE GOT A BUDGET OF $20,000 FROM CONGRESS TO UPGRADE AND IMPROVE AND FIX UP THE WHITE HOUSE.

SHE OVERSPENT WILDLY.

THIS IS AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE CIVIL WAR.

IT WAS NOT GOOD PRESS.

SHE SPENT ALL THIS MONEY WHILE YOUNG MEN WERE GOING OFF TO DIE.

BUT, SHE BOUGHT A VERY NICE SERVICE AT A DEPARTMENT STORE IN NEW YORK CITY BY GORHAM THAT IS NOW IN THE SMITHSONIAN.

GORHAM CALLED THE PATTERN DUCHESS.

IT IS A WONDERFUL SERVICE ON A LARGE TRAY THAT WAS AN IMPORTANT CENTER OF HER ENTERTAINING AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> ANOTHER SET OWNED BY THE FIRST LADY WAS A SERVICE, HEAD TO HEAD, USED FOR AN INTIMATE AFFAIR.

>> IT IS A WONDERFUL, WHIMSICAL EXAMPLE OF VICTORIAN SILVER WHERE THE FEET ARE IN THE FORM OF CHICKEN LEGS.

IT SORT OF CELEBRATES OUR CLEAN LIVING AND SOCIETY IN THE U.S. >> AFTER THE ASSASSINATION OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN, HIS GRIEF STRICKEN WIDOW DID NOT HAVE THE SAME AFFECTION FOR HER POSSESSIONS.

IN A LETTER TO HER DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, SHE WRITES, "DO OBLIGE ME AS A MOTHER FOR YOU ARE VERY DEAR TO ME AS A DAUGHTER.

ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING IS YOURS."

BY THE 1870'S, MRS. LINCOLN BEHAVIOR WAS BECOMING MORE AND MORE ERRATIC.

SHE WAS CONSUMED BY THE IDEA THAT SHE WAS POOR, ALL WHILE CARRYING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN HER SKIRT POCKET.

IN 1875, HER SON ROBERT HATTER DECLARED LEGALLY INSANE -- HAD HER DECLARED LEGALLY INSANE.

WHEN SHE WAS RELEASED TO YOU LATER, SHE WROTE A LETTER TO ROBERT DEMANDING HER BELONGINGS BE RETURNED WITHOUT THE LEAST DELAY.

HIGH ON THE LIST WAS HER SILVER.

SHE CONCLUDED THE LETTER BY STATING, "YOU HAVE INJURED YOURSELF, NOT ME, BY YOUR WICKED CONDUCT."

PAMELA: THANKS TO SCOTT AND MARIA.

CHASING SILVER: THE STORY OF GORHAM PREMIER SUNDAY AT 9 P.M.. PARTS TWO AND THREE WILL AIR MAY 23 AND 24.

245 YEARS AGO THIS MONTH, RHODE ISLAND BECAME THE FIRST COLONY TO RENOUNCE ITS ALLEGIANCE TO KING GEORGE TIII.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY EXPLAINS THE EVENTS SURROUNDING THE EARLY RENUNCIATION.

>> ON MAY 4, 1776, THE RHODE ISLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY DECLARED KING GEORGE III HAD BROKEN HIS COMPACT WITH THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND.

AND THAT HE SOUGHT TO DESTROY THE GOOD PEOPLE OF THIS COLONY.

AND THE GOOD PEOPLE OF THE UNITED COLONIES.

BUT WAS THIS ACTUALLY A DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE?

OR WAS IT SOMETHING QUITE DIFFERENT?

IN EARLY 1776, KING GEORGE III ISSUES A DECLARATION TO TRY TO CONTROL THE COLONIES WHICH ARE NOW IN ACTIVE REBELLION.

AND THIS IS NOT WIDELY POPULAR IN PARLIAMENT.

THERE'S A LOT OF DISSENT IN ENGLAND ABOUT THE WAY THE LEADERSHIP IS PUSHING THE COLONIES.

AND WHEN KING GEORGE PUTS FORWARD THIS DECLARATION TO PUSH FOR MORE LOYALTY FROM THE COLONY, IT GOES VERY BADLY.

YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE MOOD OF THE TIME.

FOUR YEARS BEFORE THIS, RHODE ISLANDERS HAD BURNED THE GATSBY.

2.5 YEARS EARLIER, THE BOSTON TEA PARTY.

JUST ABOUT A YEAR BEFORE THIS WHERE THE SHOTS IN LEXINGTON AND CONCORD.

THIS IS NOT A KING SENDING FORTH A DECLARATION IN PEACETIME.

THIS IS VERY MUCH AN ACTIVE SORT OF REBELLION THAT RHODE ISLANDERS ARE PART OF.

WHEN THIS ACT COMES DOWN FROM THE KING, THAT ASIDE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT THE NEED TO ACT SOON.

THEY START TAKING STRAW POLLS.

WITHIN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THIS A LOT OF SENSE OF, YES, WE COULD PUSH FOR INDEPENDENCE.

WHEN THEY START TALKING TO THE PEOPLE WITHIN THE HOUSE AND THEY STARTED SAYING WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT THE SENTIMENTS IN YOUR TOWN?

THEY REALIZE THEY ARE GOING TO NEED BROAD SUPPORT AND POPULAR SUPPORT IF THEY ARE GOING TO ACTUALLY DECLARE INDEPENDENCE AS THIS SMALL COLONY.

AND THEY REALIZED THAT, ONE, THEY DON'T THINK THAT SUPPORT IS THERE FROM THE TOWNS.

AND TWO, THEY DON'T HAVE TIME TO REALLY GO OUT AND FIND OUT WHAT THE TOWNSPEOPLE THINK.

SO, THEY MAKE A CALCULATED DECISION THAT THEY WILL NOT ASSERT INDEPENDENCE.

INSTEAD, THEY WILL ASSERT THIS BREAK WITH THE KING.

MANY PEOPLE HAVE DECIDED THAT THIS DECLARATION, WHAT IS CALLED A RENUNCIATION OF ALLEGIANCE, IS A DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.

BUT, HISTORIANS WHO HAVE DUG INTO THIS QUESTION, AND HAVE FOUND GOOD EVIDENCE THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT THAT TIME TOOK UP THE QUESTION OF INDEPENDENCE AND HAD A DEBATE INTERNALLY AS TO WHETHER OR NOT TO MAKE AN AFFIRMATIVE BUT -- AN AFFIRMATIVE STATEMENT OF INDEPENDENCE.

WHEN THE GOVERNOR, NICHOLAS COOK, RIGHTS TO SOME OF HIS COLLEAGUES AND RIGHTS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON TO EXPLAIN THE STEPS THAT RHODE ISLANDERS HAVE TAKEN, HE SAYS WE WILL ALIGN OURSELVES WITH ANOTHER GOVERNMENT, ANOTHER KING, ANYTHING TO PROTECT AND SUPPORT THE COLONIES.

SO, WE BEGIN IN MAY WITH THE RENUNCIATION OF ALLEGIANCE IN MAY 4 AND WE END WITH RHODE ISLAND RATIFYING THE CONSTITUTION.

WE ARE THE LAST STATE TO RATIFY THE CONSTITUTION.

YEARS AFTER THE FIRST DATE, DELAWARE RATIFIED IN 1787, AND IT IS NOT UNTIL MAY 29, 1790 THAT RHODE ISLAND RATIFIES THE CONSTITUTION AND BECOMES THE FINAL COLONY THAT JOINS IN STATEHOOD AS FIRST IN WAR AND LAST IN PEACE.

PAMELA: OUR THANKS TO THE RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

I'M PAMELA WATTS.

FROM ALL OF US HERE AT RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND PLEASE STAY SAFE.

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