Pacifica Radio records
Scope and Content Note
The Pacifica Radio records span the years of 1946-1994. Materials in the collection primarily highlight program offerings, the history of Pacifica Radio, its efforts to expand its services and reach, and fundraising attempts.
The radio sampler series documents the founding, development, and problems of listener-sponsored radio from 1946-1984. Included are papers from internal administration and chronologies of specific periods. There is emphasis on the KPFA radio station.
The publicity series is a collection of mailers and brochures primarily documenting KPFK's and KPFA's convictions and listener reach.
The catalogs series, 1970-1987, consists of booklets that feature programs, their show descriptions, and how to purchase a copy. Programs featured in these catalogs represent a small fraction of the interviews, speeches, and discussions programmed by Pacifica stations.
The newsletter series features special programs celebrating holidays, anniversaries, birthdays, and other important occasions.
Dates
- Creation: 1946-1994
Language of Materials
Collection material is in English.
Access and Restrictions
The Pacifica Radio records is open to research. Advance notice is required; contact a reference librarian in the Recorded Sound Research Center, National Audio-Visual Conservation Center, Library of Congress, Washington, DC, 20540-4690; (202) 707-7833.
Copyright Status
Restrictions may exist on copying, quoting, or publishing materials included in the collection. For additional information, contact a reference librarian in the Recorded Sound Research Center, National Audio-Visual Conservation Center, Library of Congress, Washington, DC, 20540-4690; (202) 707-7833.
Administrative History
Pacifica Radio is a listener-sponsored radio station founded by E. John Lewis and Lewis Hill on April 15, 1949 with service out of Berkeley, CA. Pacifica Radio was created to promote free-speech radio unhindered by sponsorships. It was the first public radio network with five-independently operated radio stations documenting political, social, and cultural movements in America.
Administrative History
- 1949
- KPFA : Berkeley, CA
- 1959
- KPFK : Los Angeles, CA
- 1960
- WBAI : New York City, NY
- 1970
- KPFT : Houston, TX
- 1977
- WPFW : Washington, D.C.
Extent
350 items (approximately)
1 container
0.42 linear feet
Abstract
Collection of primarily promotional materials documenting the history and programming of Pacifica Radio and its stations.
Arrangement
The Pacifica Radio records is organized in 4 series:
Physical Location
RPA 03762 (box 1)
Catalog Record
Provenance
Source and date of acquisition unknown.
Accruals
No further accruals are expected.
Other Repositories
Additional papers on Pacifica Radio are held at the Pacifica Radio Archives in Los Angeles, CA.
Processing History
The Pacifica Radio records were processed by Michelle Dubert-Bellrichard in 2021.
Source
- Pacifica Radio (Creator, Organization)
Subject
- KPFA (Radio station : Berkeley, Calif.) (Organization)
- KPFK (Radio station : Los Angeles, Calif.) (Organization)
- KPFT-FM (Radio station : Houston, Tex.) (Organization)
- Pacifica Radio--Archives. (Organization)
- Pacifica Radio. (Organization)
- WBAI Radio (New York, N.Y.) (Organization)
- WPFW (Radio station : Washington, D.C.) (Organization)
- Title
- Pacifica Radio Records
- Author
- Prepared by Michelle Dubert-Bellrichard
- Date
- 2021
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Part of the Recorded Sound Section Repository
Recorded Sound Research Center
101 Independence Ave, SE
James Madison Building, LM 113
Washington, DC 20540-4810
(202) 707-7833