By Madeleine Sutherland Record Staff Writer One day last October, members of the Warren County Historical Society anxiously awaited the appearance of a mysterious guest. The only clue as to who would …
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Actor’s visit puts spotlight on Warren County
Posted
By Madeleine SutherlandRecord Staff WriterOne day last October, members of the Warren County Historical Society anxiously awaited the appearance of a mysterious guest.The only clue as to who would be showing up at their doorstep: the initials “B.P.”That turned out to be highly acclaimed actor Bill Paxton.Paxton has starred in such films as “Titanic,” “Aliens, “Apollo 13” and “Twister,” and multiple television series including “Hatfields & McCoys” and “Big Love.”Paxton is the featured celebrity in an upcoming episode of “Who Do You Think You Are?”on TLC. A portion of the hour-long show was filmed in Warren County, as the actor stopped at the Warren County Historical Society in Warrenton and visited the grave site of his four-time great-grandfather Benjamin Sharp in the Holstein area.Filming also took place in California, Washington, D.C., South Carolina and Virginia.The episode will air on Sunday, April 19, at 9 p.m. on TLC.In August 2014, a producer of the show contacted Jan Sutherland, president of the historical society. The series follows celebrities as they travel the country and discover facts about their ancestry. Some other contributors who are featured in this year’s season are Josh Groban, Angie Harmon, Sean Hayes and Melissa Etheridge.“They let us know they were interested in some information we had at the museum for a celebrity and that they would like to come and visit with us,” said Sutherland.The society’s board of directors quickly accepted the proposition.Weeks before filming, representatives of the show visited the historical society to check for potential places to film. The name of the celebrity, however, remained a secret until filming began Oct. 15.“The film crew arrived first, setting up cameras, lighting and sound equipment, and rearranging some of the furniture,” said Sutherland.When the illusive celebrity arrived later that day, he was introduced to Sutherland and Guy Schreck, vice president of the historical society, as Paxton.Paxton’s connection to Warren County presented in the form of Sharp, who was known to be buried somewhere in southern Warren County. His ancestor’s will also is located in original probate records from the Warren County Circuit Court.On the final day of filming, Paxton was driven to the Holstein area where he and his crew hiked to Sharp’s grave site.Here, Paxton and the crew received a taste of Missouri landscape, which they were impressed by, according to Schreck. The actor and his crew also took special notice of the hospitality of Warren County residents.“They were impressed at the kindness and thoughtfulness of the people they met in the area,”said Schreck. ”They were amazed how everyone knows each other here.”Members of the historical society hope that this episode will increase interest in the history of Warren County. Producers of the show indicated that the museum could see an increase in online traffic and visitors after the show airs, as other historical sites have seen similar increases.“We know that the show will be seen nationwide, so others who are researching their family history with relatives in Warren County may find information we have very helpful,” said Sutherland. “We hope we will have the opportunity to visit with many people throughout the United States.”The Warren County Historical Society is hosting a viewing of the episode on May 7, at 7 p.m. The society is located at 102 W. Walton St. in Warrenton.
Actor Bill Paxton, above, kneels next to the grave site of his four-time great-grandfather Benjamin Sharp in the Holstein area. Paxton is the featured celebrity in an upcoming episode of "Who Do You Think You Are?" on TLC. A portion of the hour-long show was filmed Warren County, as the actor stopped at the Warren County Historical Society. Photo courtesy of TLC.
