Journalist Geoff Edgers investigates the history behind some of America's most important -- and often hidden -- treasures. Examining everything from the secret letter that connected an underground spy ring during the Revolutionary War, to the shotgun used by infamous stagecoach robber Black Bart, Edgers tells stories about how these objects shaped U.S. history. He visits museum vaults, guarded storage chambers and back rooms of private collections to discern powerful, emotional and compelling narratives. In the process, Edgers -- a veteran reporter for The Boston Globe and The Washington Post -- gains a newfound appreciation and understanding for important people and events of the past.