Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections

Summary Information

Repository

Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives and Special Collections

Creator

KWSU (Radio station : Pullman, Wash.)

Title

KWSU Radio Station Records

ID

Archives 56

Date [inclusive]

1916-1977

Extent

15 Linear feet of shelf space, 25 Boxes

Language

Collection materials are in English.

Abstract

The records of KWSU Radio Station consist of correspondence, program scripts, and program and transmitter logs.

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Biography/History

KWSU Radio (originally known as KFAE, then KWSC) is one of the oldest and largest university-owned radio stations in the United States. It began broadcasting from the Mechanic Arts Building on the WSU campus on December 10, 1922. The initial funds for the station came from equal donations by the Agricultural Extension Service, the Associated Students of Washington State University, and the Pullman Chamber of Commerce. The three men most responsible for creating the station were: H. V. Carpenter, Dean of the College of Engineering; Frank F. Nalder, Director of General Extension Service; and Homer Dana, Professor of Electrical Engineering. The goals for the station as outlined by Dr. Nalder have not changed since they were formulated in 1922: to provide an information and cultural service to a wide area of population, to draw on the expertise of the faculty and present their findings, to provide a vehicle for further research in broadcasting and to train young people in the use, operation, and "human service" of radio.

In the early years KWSU Radio shared the same frequency with KTW, a station owned by the First Presbyterian Church of Seattle. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulated the use of the common frequency with a "Time Sharing Agreement" in 1931. KTW Radio was given exclusive use of the frequency at limited times--Sundays, Thursday evenings, and holidays. Problems arose with this arrangement in 1956 when KTW began to expand its broadcasting time. KTW petitioned the FCC for permission to operate simultaneously with KWSU; KWSU countered by filing for unlimited use of the frequency. The FCC held hearings in 1960 in an attempt to solve the problem. After investigating the situation the FCC awarded KWSU the right to broadcast from 6:30 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. each day; KTW, designated a "daytime" station, was allowed to broadcast during daylight hours and also from 11:15 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.

The station has grown tremendously both in its physical facilities, broadcasting time, and programming capabilities. It has expanded from its first location in the College of Mechanic Arts and Engineering to a home in the Edward R. Murrow Communications Center, which was completed in 1976. The Center also houses KWSU-TV and classrooms and offices for the Department of Communications. The first course of instruction in radio was offered at Washington State University in 1929. Courses in broadcasting are offered as one of six possible majors in the Department of Communications. Originally scheduled for only four and one-half hours of air time per week in 1922 at 250 watts of power, KWSU now broadcasts with 5000 watts for over 120 hours per week. It was affiliated with National Educational Radio (NER), a precursor of National Public Radio. KWSU Radio News uses the services of Associated Press, United Press International wire services and audio, and National Public Radio.

Burt Harrison, manager of KWSU Radio from 1959 to 1976, was very active in the movement to establish what became the Public Broadcasting Act. He helped lay the legislative and financial groundwork for a network of national public radio stations. In 1970 KWSU Radio was designated as one of the 92 "qualified National Public Radio" stations. KWSU Radio broadcasts programs from the National Public Radio network and also produces programs for the network's national distribution.

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Scope and Content

The records of KWSU Radio Station consist of correspondence, program scripts, and program and transmitter logs. The logs comprise almost half of the collection.

The first series, Correspondence, is divided into three subseries: Federal Communications Commission, KTW Radio Station, and KWSU Radio Station. The Federal Communications Commission sub-series dates from 1916 to 1974 with the bulk of the material from 1930 to 1960. The material includes station license and application form, construction permits, financial reports, engineering exhibits and plans. The second sub-series, KTE Radio Station, dates from 1937 to 1972 with the bulk covering the period 1958 through 1967. This subseries is comprised of station and license applications, Time Sharing Agreements with KWSU, engineering exhibits, and legal correspondence between KWSU and Leonard Marks, attorney for KWSU, in the KTW-KWSU hearing before the Federal Communications Commission from 1960 to 1961. The third sub-series, KWSU Radio Station, includes correspondence to and from listeners, graduates, ex-students, and Mary Avery, Washington State University Library Archivists, concerning her program "Washington Archives," and the textbook she wrote on Washington State history. Other material consists of remodeling plans and blueprints of the radio station, brochures describing the station and its history and service, speeches written by Burt Harrison, Station Manager for seventeen years, press releases, program information and announcements. This sub-series covers the period from 1922 to 1977 with the bulk dating from 1966 to 1976.

The second series, Programs, consists mainly of program scripts, dating from 1928 to 1976, with the majority of the material from the mid-1950's to the mid-1960's. The largest collection of scripts is Burt Harrison's commentaries, "Behind the Mike," dating from 1964 to 1976. The programs include agricultural extension broadcasts, musical and literary programs, dramatic productions, and school broadcasts. Most of these programs were locally produced. There is some correspondence concerning the "High School Interviews" and "News" in the Palouse area programs from 1936 to 1938.

The final series, the Log series, is divided into four sub-series: Program Log Books, Program Log Sheets, Transmitter Log Books, and Transmitter Log Sheets. The Program Log Books sub-series dates from 1922 to 1936 and consist of three books; two books covering the period from 1922 to 1925 and the third book covering the period of 1936. During the years 1922 to 1925, KWSU was known as Radio Station KFAE. The second sub-series, Program Log Sheets, cover the years from 1949 to 1973 inclusively except for the years 1961 and 1967. The third sub-series, Transmitter Log Books, dates from 1923 to 1934 with the exception of the years 1932-1933. The final subseries, Transmitter Log Sheets, dates from 1954 to 1960 inclusively. The program logs are a daily inventory of programs broadcast from sign-on to sign-off while the transmitter logs are records kept by station engineers concerning checks on equipment and radio emergency broadcast tests.

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Arrangement

The material is arranged in three series. Series 1 is divided into three sub-series, each arranged alphabetically by topic. Series 2 is arranged alphabetically by title of program or topic. Series 3 is divided into four sub-series, each arranged chronologically.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections  © 2022

https://libraries.wsu.edu/masc/

Terrell Library

P.O. Box 645610

Pullman, WA, 99164-5610 USA

509-335-6691

mascref@wsu.edu

Restrictions on Access

This collection is open and available for research use.

Restrictions on Use

Copyright restrictions may apply.

Acquisition Information

The records were transferred to the WSU University Archives, in April 1979 (UA 79-12) in accordance with the approved records schedule. Previously accessioned material concerning KWSU Radio Station has also been incorporated.

Processing Information

The records were processed in August 1980 by Linda Scott Lilles.

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Names and Subjects

Corporate Name(s)

Subject(s) :

• KWSU (Radio station : Pullman, Wash.) -- Records and correspondence
• KWSC (Radio station : Pullman, Wash.) -- Records and correspondence
• KFAE (Radio station : Pullman, Wash.) -- Records and correspondence

Creator(s) :

• KWSC (Radio station : Pullman, Wash.)
• KFAE (Radio station : Pullman, Wash.)

Personal Name(s)

Creator(s) :

• Avery, Mary W. (Mary Williamson), 1907-1975
• Harrison, Burton Dwight, 1917-

Subject(s)

• College radio stations -- Research -- Washington (State)
• Radio stations -- Research -- Washington (State) -- Pullman
• Radio in secondary education
• Media and Communication
• Washington (State)
• Colleges and Universities

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Detailed Description of Collection

Series 1: Correspondence, 1916-1976
Subseries 1.1: Federal Communications Commission, 1916-1974
Application
			box	folder
Full Time  1956, 1958  12 items			1	1
On 1230--kf 10  1942-1948  88 items			1	2
On 1030 kc--1943  1942-1964  3 items			1	3
Proposed on 1030 kc, Report by Raymond Wilmotte  1944  1 item			1	4
Proposed on 1110 kc  1947, 1947-1949  11 items			1	5
Auxiliary Transmitter  1954-1962  19 items			1	6
			box	folder
Basic Emergency Broadcast System Plan  1966-1969  9 items			1	7
Construction Permit  1927-1959  12 items			1	8
Dickson, Pollard--Complaint  1969-1970  33 items			1	9
Financial Report, Annual  1938-1949  12 items			1	10
Form Back-Dated  1938-1943  5 items			1	11
General Correspondence  1931-1962  183 items			1	12
License
			box	folder
Application Form  1916-1950  72 items			1	13
Renewal (1957)  1956  8 items			1	14
Renewal Worksheets  1952-1953  2 items			1	15
Station  1916-1960  35 items			1	16
			box	folder
Rules and Regulations  1974  2 items			1	17
Section 3.182 Change Comments  1957  2 items			1	18
Subseries 1.2: KTW--Radio Station, 1937-1972
Application(s)
			box	folder
5 W  1958  3 items			1	19
License Renewal--1959  1958-1959  5 items			1	20
Station  1948-1956  2 items			1	21
			box	folder
General Correspondence  1959-1967  59 items			1	22
KTW--KWSU Hearing (1956-1960)
			box	folder
Engineering Exhibits  1958-1972  10 items			1	23
FCC Documents  1957-1967  45 items			1	24
General Correspondence  1937-1967  87 items			1	25
Hearing Exhibits  1960-1961  15 items			1	26
KTW Exhibits as Revised on August 22, 1960  1960-1961  3 items			1	27
Marks, Leonard  1956-1962  54 items			1	28
			box	folder
KTW-KWSU Time Sharing Agreement  1939-1965  37 items			1	29
Subseries 1.3: KWSU--Radio Station, 1922-1977
			box	folder
Alpha Epsilon Rho  1961  1 item			1	30
Alterations 1948-1961  39 items			1	31
Announcements n.d.-1948  3 items			1	32
Avery, Mary
			box	folder
Radio Fan Mail 1962-1968  54 items			2	33
Radio Permissions 1966-1968  53 items			2	34
Text Permissions 1955-1966  102 items			2	35
			box	folder
Brochures 1947-1973  5 items			2	36
Budget 1933  1 item			2	37
Certificates of Appreciation 1969-1971  5 items			2	38
Engineering 1923  1 item			2	39
Graduates and Ex-Students 1971-1976  91 items			2	40
Harrison, Burt 1968-1976  33 items			2	41
Hoover, Herbert 1925  2 items			2	42
Miller, Allen 1968  1 item			2	43
National Broadcasting Company 1949-1955  15 items			2	44
Old Fiddlers' Contest 1935  2 items			2	45
Press News, circa 1930-1940  10 items			2	46
Program 1922-1977  31 items			2	47
Station 1926-1953  25 items			2	48
Statistics 1928-1949  6 items			2	49
Survey, Diary by Mark Munn 1956-1958  14 items			2	50
Traffic 1966-1976  377 items			2	51-54
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Series 2: Programs, 1928-1976
			box	folder
Adventures in Melody 1959-1963  51 items			3	55
Agricultural Extension Radio Broadcasts 1928-1940  68 items			3	56
Ask the Professor 1940  2 items			3	57
At the Console 1959-1960  51 items			3	58
Behind the Mike 1964-1967, 1969-1976  436 items			3	59-66
Bryan, E.A., Address on "Peace and War" No. II 1930  1 item			3	67
Cavalcade of Music 1957-1958  41 items			3	68
Eastern Washington Library Program 1938  7 items			3	69
Farm and Home Program 1936-1946  5 items			3	70
Farm Flashes 1932  97 items			3	71-72
Farm Program 1950-1951  4 items			3	73
4-H Broadcasts 1929-1930  17 items			3	74
Fourth Row Center 1952-1967  25 items			3	75
Fred Waring
			box	folder
Half Hours 1958-1962  21 items			3	76
Saturday 1956-1962  65 items			3	77
			box	folder
The Globe Turns 1937-1939  86 items			4	78-80
Here is Music
			box	folder
General 1959-1965  159 items			4	81
Special Occasions 1959-1965  14 items			4	82
High School
			box	folder
Interviews 1936-1938  10 items			4	83
News 1936-1938  87 items			4	84
Show/Parade 1937-1938  30 items			4	85
			box	folder
Highlights in American News 1937-1938  20 items			4	86
Little Joe the Green Hand 1940-1942  41 items			4	87
Make Mine Music 1957-1959  12 items			4	88
Music by Mantovani 1959-1963  57 items			4	89
Music by Melachrino 1957-1959  46 items			4	90
Music Scripts--Christmas 1959-1964  16 items			4	91
The Northwest Newsreel 1938  12 items			4	92
Our Radio Community 1938-1939  15 items			4	93
Pressing Agricultural Issues 1933  9 items			4	94
Production Scripts, circa 1953  30 items			4	95-96
Production Spot Announcements 1953  4 items			4	97
Prologue to the 60's undated  1 item			4	98
The School Hour 1937-1939  33 items			4	99
School of the Air 1939-1942  9 items			4	100
Scripts, Various 1928-1940  31 items			4	101
Shakespeare Scripts Aired 1969, 1966-1969  19 items			5	102
Soil Conservation Services 1938-1940  77 items			5	103-104
Song of America 1969  1 item			5	105
Sound Track 1959-1962  65 items			5	106
Thirty Minute Theatre 1957-1958  9 items			5	107
Trailing News Around the World 1938-1939  39 items			5	108
Twilight Serenade 1958-1966  23 items			5	109
Dialectics, (Vol. 1, No. 2) April 1938  3 items			5	110
The Projector, (Vol. 1, No. 1) January 1938  3 items			5	111
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Series 3: Logs, 1922-1973
Subseries 3.1: Program Log Books, 1922-1936
				box
Station KFAE Log Book 1922-1924  1 item				6
Station KFAE Log Book 1924-1925  1 item				6
KWSU Log Book 1936  1 item				6
Subseries 3.2: Program Log Sheets, 1949-1973
				box
1949  710 items				7
1950  710 items				8
January 1, 1931 - September 30, 1951  526 items				9
October 1, 1951--September 30, 1952  710 items				10
October 1, 1952--October 31, 1953  770 items				11
November 2, 1953--December 31, 1954  768 items				12
1955  710 items				13
1956  710 items				14
1957  710 items				15
1958  710 items				16
1959  710 items				17
1960  710 items				18
January 1, 1968--September 30, 1971  2270 items				19
October 1, 1971--December 31, 1973  2470 items				20
Subseries 3.3: Transmitter Log Books, 1923-1934
				box
March 26, 1923--December 23, 1930				21
December 29, 1930--December 31, 1931				21
January 6, 1934--December 21, 1934				21
Subseries 3.4: Transmitter Log Sheets, 1954-1960
				box
1954  350 items				22
1955-1956  700 items				23
January 1, 1957--June 30, 1959  875 items				24
July 1, 1959--December 31, 1960  525 items				25
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