SYNOPSIS

Booker T. Freeman and David Hall were 9-year-old boys growing up in the rural Southern community of Palmerstown during the Depression of the 1930's. They were best friends despite the fact that Booker T. was black and David was white. Booker T.'s father, Luther, was the town blacksmith and David's father, W.D., was the local grocer. Diana was Booker T.'s older sister and Willy-Joe was David's older brother. Because of the friendship between the two boys, their families had become very close, despite the racial prejudice's prevalent at the time. Most of what happened in Palmerstown was seen through the eyes of the two young boys.

Palmerstown, U.S.A. was co-produced by veteran TV producer Norman Lear and award-winning author, Alex Haley. For Haley, this series was somewhat autobiographical, since he had grown up with a close white friend in an integrated Southern town during the Depression. In March 1981, the title of the show was shortened to just Palmerstown.