© 2026 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY
WEDW-FM · WNPR · WPKT · WRLI-FM
Public Files Contact · ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Henry David Thoreau Asks Us to Live in the Present

Season 1 Episode 3 | 8m 19s

On May 6th, 1862, Henry David Thoreau passes away peacefully at age 44 from tuberculosis. His work continues to inspire generations to live in the present, experiment, and get excited about the experiment of being alive. Thoreau offers us these messages, but it's up to us to open the book and read.

Episodes presented in 4K UHD on supported devices. Major funding for HENRY DAVID THOREAU was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members: The Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment and Mark A. Tracy. Major funding was also provided by Jeff Skoll, the Mansueto Foundation, Tyson Foods, Inc., and The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations. Additional funding was provided by the Tyson Family Foundation Inc, The Neil and Anna Rasmussen Foundation, Roxanne Quimby Foundation Inc, Jim and Mona Mylen through The HeartSpace Fund, and Elizabeth Kenny.
Extras
Get a sneak peek at a brand new season of NATURE on PBS.
Meet gifted artisans who pour passion and skill into timeless products made with love.
POV
Trailer for Remake by director Ross McElwee.
POV
Trailer for Arrest the Midwife by director Elaine Epstein.
Celebrate the life and career of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver.
POV
Trailer for How to Build a Library by directors Maia Lekow and Christopher King.
Jodi imagines she is drawing bugs and clouds in the sky with her crayons!
Jodi wants to touch Miss Elaina's hair but she learns that she has to ask first!
Prince Wednesday learns to ask before he pushes Daniel on the swings.
Everyone learns that before you touch someone, you should ask them if it's okay!
Latest Episodes
After young Thoreau fails at a career in writing, he retreats to a cabin in the woods.
Thoreau lives at Walden Pond where he writes, while exploring nature — and himself.
After Walden, Thoreau takes on new roles and adventures as an illness catches up with him.