After many national viewings over the last decade, WGVU announced that it’s redistributing the three-part TV program — “Inventing America: Conversations with the Founding Fathers” — from late June through July 4, 2026 — on PBS stations nationwide in recognition of the America250 celebration.
Viewers can check local listings to see which PBS stations are airing the series and when. Each episode is also available for online viewing anytime at inventing-america.org.
The trilogy is the brainchild of Holland resident and Hope College alum, Milton Nieuwsma ʼ63, who is the creator and writer for the series. It was filmed before live audiences in the college’s DeWitt Center theater in late 2014, 2016 and 2017. The creative series blends substance with humor, shining a light on what the conversations likely were among those involved in creating the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. While the actors’ conversations are presented as retrospectives, the conversations are based on fact, using the Founders’ actual words.
Darell Schregardus ʼ63 served as executive producer, while John Tammi — professor emeritus of theater — directed the episodes.
“Inventing America” was a co-production of Hope College and WGVU Public Media, with each episode running about 57 minutes. Episode 1 was released to public television stations nationwide by the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA) in June 2016 for broadcast a month later. Episodes 2 and 3 were released in June 2017 and June 2018 respectively. According to TRAC Media Services, the series has attracted a potential viewing audience of more than 170 million.
“I think what resonates with viewers is that our founders weren’t marbled saints but flawed, imperfect human beings like the rest of us,” said Nieuwsma. “The union they created was imperfect as well. George Washington said it wouldn’t last 20 years. Yet we’re the oldest democracy in the world. In spite of all the polarization and other problems we face today, that’s something to celebrate. I think our founders would be amazed."
The three distinct episodes and their focus areas are:
- Episode 1: Making a Nation: This episode runs as an interview with three of the Declaration of Independence signers — Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin — and one delegate to the Second Continental Congress, John Dickinson, who refused to sign, revealing the conflict behind the historic document ratified on July 4, 1776. The moderator is Dr. Marc Baer, professor emeritus of history.
- Episode 2: Making a Government: is the story behind the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and the four months that “changed the world.” In this episode, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, Gouverneur Morris and George Washington discuss the conflicts and compromises that led to the world’s most enduring republic being created. Dr. Fred Johnson — a beloved Hope professor who died in 2026 – is the moderator.
- Episode 3: “Liberty for All: The Untold Story of the Bill of Rights” features Madison, Jefferson, Hamilton and Patrick Henry describing the conflicts and infighting behind the new U.S. Constitution and how that led to the Bill of Rights. Dr. Johnson is the moderator, with Hope students participating in a question-and-answer session.
To view the exact airdates and times on WGVU (Channel 35.1/52.1), visit the official WGVU TV Schedule page. To learn more about the series or lesson plans and activities designed for grades 6th-8th and 9th-12th, you can explore the WGVU Inventing America page.