"My grandmother bought it for $2." "I found it at a yard sale." "It was passed down to me by my Great Aunt Hilda." Maybe it's a quilt with a tale of tragedy and survival. Or old, handwritten ledgers that were found in the trash. The public's fascination with antiques and collectibles is insatiable, as evidenced by the popularity of WGBH's Antiques Roadshow, the most-watched prime-time series on PBS. Part game show, part history lesson, and part treasure hunt, Antiques Roadshow seems to ignite hidden passions for cracking the mysteries behind family heirlooms, flea market bargains, and unexpected items salvaged from attics and basements from coast to coast.

When Antiques Roadshow visits a community -- whether it's Boston, New Orleans, or Miami -- thousands show up to tell their stories. Each stop reveals local history and culture, not to mention the thousands of items that speak volumes about hometowns all over the world. "The best part of visiting different communities is soaking up the local flavor," says Peter Cook, executive producer. "The items brought in, the owner's stories, and the locales we visit as part of the program all combine to paint pictures of America's cities and what makes each of them unique."

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