Uncovering a legacy PBS decluttering show finds the stories behind the stuff
The PBS reality show “Legacy List with Matt Paxton” goes into the homes of people who are downsizing to help them declutter and to find forgotten family stories hidden in the crush of possessions. In its second season, which starts on Jan. 14, the crew visits the Coventry home of the late sculptor David Hayes.
Along with thousands of pieces of sculpture and painting created by Hayes (1931-2013), the crew found a few surprises: artworks by Picasso and Dali, and a thin, dark room behind the chimney that may have been used as a hiding place by people escaping slavery in the days of the Underground Railroad.
But for David Hayes Jr., the artist’s son, the most moving artifact found in the house was a simple work shirt his father wore for his first job, at Moriarty Brothers, an auto service station in Manchester.
“I was delighted to see that shirt. I didn’t know it was there. My dad worked at Moriarty Brothers. My mom was Moriarty’s daughter. I believe that’s how they met. If they hadn’t met there’d be no me,” he said.
Hayes and his father’s house appear in the fifth episode of the season, on Feb. 11. The program is on Thursdays at 10 p.m., repeated on Sundays at 6 p.m., on PBS stations in Hartford, New Haven, Stamford and Norwich.
Paxton, who both produces and stars in “Legacy List,” said moments like Hayes’ discovery of the work shirt is why he created the show in 2019.
“We found a Dali but the shirt wound up being my favorite item because it was a bigger deal when it comes to the story of the family,” he said in a phone interview from his home in Georgia. “It’s not the most expensive thing in the show that matters the most.”
Paxton spent 10 years decluttering houses on the show “Hoarders,” which features people with mental illness who obsessively accumulate possessions. He created “Legacy List” hoping for a happier vibe.
“On ‘Hoarders,’ the stories were sad. I wanted to show the aging population of America and all of their cool stories,” he said. “It’s the stories that hold us back from downsizing, seeing the dining room, all the memories in it. If you take time to hear the stories, you’re able to let go of the stuff.”
Hayes said he knew about the small Picasso work, but the Dali print was a surprise. He also knew about the hidden room. The home is miles from the known Underground Railroad trail, so there is no conclusive proof that the home was on the Railroad. But town officials told Hayes it was plausible that people were hidden there.
“If you open the passage, it goes around the fireplace. You can shelter several human beings there. Realistically, there is no other use for that space,” Hayes said.
Hayes wants to turn the house at 905 South St. into a museum to show work by his father and other artists. The house and barn needed to be cleaned out first, so all of Hayes’ artworks could be sent to the David Hayes Foundation for photographing and archiving.
A field full of Hayes’ sculptures is already there, on the 57-acre lot, open to the public. The filming for the show was done in September, with the cast and crew practicing proper social distancing.
Hayes said he was thrilled to be on the show.
“I’m working to advance my father’s reputation and legacy. The reach that these people have will show up dad’s reputation, introduce him to people who never previously had heard of him,” he said.