The Department of Formative Education (DFE) will be hosting an exclusive pre-screening of clips from the three part documentary, HENRY DAVID THOREAU, from executive producers Ken Burns and Don Henley, directed by Erik Ewers and Christopher Loren Ewers, which will air on PBS on March 30th. The screening will be followed by a Q&A moderated by DFE visiting professor and consultant to the film, Kristen Case, with directors Chris Loren Ewers and Erik Ewers.

HENRY DAVID THOREAU examines the life and work of the 19th-century writer in the context of antebellum New England and the larger United States, as well as through the universal themes he focused on in his writings: an individual’s relationship to the state, how to live an authentic life, our connection to nature, and the impact of race on American life. Set against the political and social tensions of the mid-19th century, the film traces Thoreau’s journey from his early days in Concord, Massachusetts to his deep engagement with the moral crises of his time, including industrialization, slavery, war, and environmental degradation. Through his essays, journals, and landmark works such as Walden and Civil Disobedience, he became an inspiration for generations of writers, thinkers, and activists. 

HENRY DAVID THOREAU will premiere on March 30th (Episodes 1 and 2) and March 31st, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings). It will also be available to stream on all station-branded PBS platforms including PBS.org and the PBS App. To learn more check out: https://www.pbs.org/show/henry-david-thoreau/

This event is free and open to the public! 

• When: Wednesday, March 18th from 4:30-6:00 pm
• Where: 245 Beacon, Room 107 Auditorium, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
• What: Documentary Pre-Screening (45 mins of clips) followed by a Q&A with Kristen Case & the directors, Chris Loren Ewers and Erik Ewers

Please RSVP: https://forms.gle/UU349a5aa66ngP739