Boston Radio Hall Of Fame And Museum

[Casablanca]

I understand that Massasoit Community College in Brockton has established a Boston Radio Hall of Fame. They have outshined Emerson College that either doesn't care about the history of Boston radio or were beaten to the punch by a local community college.

Anyone know why Emerson has done so little to promote the history of Boston radio?

That is all a bit odd, since one of Emerson's buildings on Tremont Street in Boston which is the old Edison Building was once the studio location of the original WEEI - 590. It was there before it became the all news station and continued until it moved to I believe the Prudential Tower.

There was at least one other station located on Tremont Street going back to the late 1920's or early 1930's. It was located in the Shepard Stores Building which may have been up near Tremont and Beacon Street. They even had a live orchestra...which is certainly better than a dead orchestra ... that broadcast from its roof or roof garden in that period.

It is outstanding that Massasoit has stepped up to the plate with a Boston Radio Hall of Fame but it would be better if it were attached to an actual museum in downtown Boston.

So much radio history was written here in Boston that it should be celebrated and documented for history.

There are several individuals and radio historians who read and post on this board. I hope they will respond and set in motion the beginnings of a Boston Radio Museum.

 

[FatherCoughlin]

First nominee....(drumroll please!).........DICK TETLOW!........NOT! ;D (no opinions from the Dunkies "radiorama1 aka "Dick")

 

[Mickey37]

Massasoit actually seems like a perfect place for such a museum.
The college annually puts on a high-quality "Olde Time Radio Show." I was at this year's performance, which I believe was broadcast on WATD.
The folks who run it seem to be quite respectful of Boston's radio history.
It's located in a suburban section of Brockton, easily accessible from a number of directions.
I think we should support Massoit's efforts to keep local radio history alive for generations to come.

 

[Cueburn]

I'm sure if this is going through, Professor Bob Bowers has a lot to do with it. Bob has done a tremendous job with the state of radio at Massasoit. Bob along with Dr. Tim Trask deserve lots of credit along with the countless number of staff and students that have worked very hard to get it where it is today.

Boston Radio Hall of Fame at Massasoit? GREAT

 

[Casablanca]

Totally agree that Bob Bowers and Massasoit have done an outstanding job when others like Emerson and Curry College have been asleep at the switch or just don't care.

Still, I would like to see an actual radio museum in the Greater Boston area which would document and catelog the now nearly 100 years of Boston radio.

 

[Mickey37]

I agree, Casablanca, it would be great to have such a museum up here in Boston.

But where, though? Finding a tourist-friendly area that wouldn't be too pricey might be a challenge. Remember, this wouldn't be a place where people would regularly visit. Museums being what they are, people go, take in the sights, then come back maybe six months or a year later.

I doubt neither Emerson nor Curry would do something ilke this. They're looking at staying relevant and current, not focusing on the past. That's how they survive, by appealing to the kids, who by and large, go blank when you ask them who Bob and Ray were.

I think what Massasoit is doing is fantastic. They seem commited to the concept, and the price of admission at such a museum would probably be lower at a public school than elsewhere.

 

[FPB]

How about the Mass. Broadcasters' Association? I have no idea what their facilities are like. I know their mailing address is Medford. Maybe they can start a fund for a small place in Boston/Cambridge.

 

[Mickey37]

If they haven't yet, why would we think they would now, out of the blue or just because someone might suggest it?

I think such a museum fits perfectly for a school specializing in radio/tv, particularly a public school.

It would be nice to have such a museum in the city, but I don't think there's a huge demand for it, other than among people like us (in or formerly in the biz, or radio junkies).

 

[Casablanca]

I think it should be located in the Museum of Science.
It is the perfect location since the "science" of radio got its start in Massachusetts.

 

[WLYNWAZNgm]

Wherever a permanent museum winds up as a location, I would
love to see a working, "vintage" studio recreated - turntables., old mics,
boards with rotary pots, etc. I'm sure that many stations have a
whole bunch of no-longer-used equipment they could donate to the cause!

 

[Mickey37]

I don't know that the museum trustees would be willing to devote that much space to a permanent exhibit on radio, especially just focusing on Boston radio.

Again, there's just not enough of a demand for it.

 

[Casablanca]

Perhaps, it would need a benefactor like the Mugar family who paid for the I-MAX Theater. If I-MAX isn't the biggest rip-off I don't know what is. What do they charge today for a 15 minute movie...$20.00.
I am sure some corporate entity could be approached to give the seed money to get it going and I don't think it would be a rip-off like I-MAX

I don't know that the museum trustees would be willing to devote that much space to a permanent exhibit on radio, especially just focusing on Boston radio.

Again, there's just not enough of a demand for it.

 

[dlhalper]

I don't know that the museum trustees would be willing to devote that much space to a permanent exhibit on radio, especially just focusing on Boston radio.

Again, there's just not enough of a demand for it.

I can't tell you how many times a number of us (myself among them) have tried to get funding and find a place for a radio museum. It's not that Emerson didn't 'step up'-- there's a lot more to it that I am not at liberty to tell you about, but believe me, if there's no museum in Boston, it's not from lack of trying. Such a museum, while I personally would love it, would be very expensive to do the right way, to attract enough of a following, get new exhibits, etc. Bob Fleming, the former archivist at Emerson (and now head of the library) and I organized and put up a number of displays about Boston Radio in the lobby of the Little Building, but we could never raise enough money to take those exhibits to someplace big, or someplace permanent.

 

[Casablanca]

Professor Halper you have done an outstanding job for years on this which many of us are aware. Don't know the politics behind the Emerson thing but since they now occupy the old Edison/WEEI 590 building one would think that they would be more dedicated to preserving the history of Boston radio in a museum.
Also, have you spoken with the Museum of Science on this ?
Thanks again for all your hard work on starting a Boston Radio Museum.

I don't know that the museum trustees would be willing to devote that much space to a permanent exhibit on radio, especially just focusing on Boston radio.

Again, there's just not enough of a demand for it.

I can't tell you how many times a number of us (myself among them) have tried to get funding and find a place for a radio museum. It's not that Emerson didn't 'step up'-- there's a lot more to it that I am not at liberty to tell you about, but believe me, if there's no museum in Boston, it's not from lack of trying. Such a museum, while I personally would love it, would be very expensive to do the right way, to attract enough of a following, get new exhibits, etc. Bob Fleming, the former archivist at Emerson (and now head of the library) and I organized and put up a number of displays about Boston Radio in the lobby of the Little Building, but we could never raise enough money to take those exhibits to someplace big, or someplace permanent.

 

[dlhalper]

Professor Halper you have done an outstanding job for years on this which many of us are aware. Don't know the politics behind the Emerson thing but since they now occupy the old Edison/WEEI 590 building one would think that they would be more dedicated to preserving the history of Boston radio in a museum.
Also, have you spoken with the Museum of Science on this ? Thanks again for all your hard work on starting a Boston Radio Museum.

First, thanks for the kind words. I've tried to do my part to preserve radio history in Boston. But unfortunately, everyone with whom I've spoken about a museum said they weren't interested-- too expensive, not mass-appeal enough, kids these days don't care about radio, etc etc. I believe Arthur Singer (also of Emerson) is very involved with the Massasoit end of things, so perhaps he's had more luck than I have with getting some backers. WEEI was originally up the street at 39 Boylston-- it's a homeless shelter these days, but if you look up, you can still see the "Edison" mosaic above the door...

 

[Casablanca]

I thought the Edison Building on Tremont St, not the Saint Francis House which is on Boylston Street extension which is the homeless shelter, was the WEEI building. Isn't WERS located in the window of the first floor of that building ?

Professor Halper you have done an outstanding job for years on this which many of us are aware. Don't know the politics behind the Emerson thing but since they now occupy the old Edison/WEEI 590 building one would think that they would be more dedicated to preserving the history of Boston radio in a museum.
Also, have you spoken with the Museum of Science on this ? Thanks again for all your hard work on starting a Boston Radio Museum.

First, thanks for the kind words. I've tried to do my part to preserve radio history in Boston. But unfortunately, everyone with whom I've spoken about a museum said they weren't interested-- too expensive, not mass-appeal enough, kids these days don't care about radio, etc etc. I believe Arthur Singer (also of Emerson) is very involved with the Massasoit end of things, so perhaps he's had more luck than I have with getting some backers. WEEI was originally up the street at 39 Boylston-- it's a homeless shelter these days, but if you look up, you can still see the "Edison" mosaic above the door...

 

[dlhalper]

WEEI went on the air in late September 1924. Big Brother Bob Emery was the first PD of the station and it is said that he chose the call letters (Edison Electric Illuminating). The studios were at 39 Boylston and there was a working kitchen, called the "Friendly Kitchen" at street level, so the public could see all the cool new Edison appliances. WEEI didn't begin the move to 182 Tremont till 1929, and the move wasn't finished till 1931.

 

[Mickey37]

Donna, a sincere thank you for working so hard to keep the history of Boston radio alive.

I hope someday there is a Boston-based museum honoring the city's contributions to radio, television and film.

 

[Casablanca]

I remember in the mid 1960's going up to the top floor of the Edison/WEEI building to sit in the large auditorium to watch Paul Benzequin do his afternoon talk show. Still, remember who Paul's guest was. It was Joe Toro who was then the campaign manager for John Volpe in his run for governor. Of course, Joe Toro played his cards right. Volpe won against Frank Bellotti and Volpe appointed Joe Toro to a judgeship. I believe he is still a judge. I remember speaking to Toro in the studio after the interview and he was a nasty and dismissive individual who dismissed this young person's inquisitive question about the campaign. Paul on the other hand was very nice and gave me a tour of the studio.
The actual studio was built into what was probably a stage and was glassed in. The auditorium was fairly large and could probably hold a hundered people. I am sure it was left over from the days of WEEI having a studio orchestra and live broadcasts from its roof.

Someone should document all this history in the BOSTON Museum of Radio. Still, think the Emerson College, as a communication college has NOT fulfilled it obligation to preserve this history and neither has Boston University's School of Communication.

Finally, a person off the street could never just walk into a radio studio today and sit in on a live broadcast. There was little or no security in those days and I am sure I was just let in by some secretary or receptionist. I did not start throwing bombs until much later in life....

WEEI went on the air in late September 1924. Big Brother Bob Emery was the first PD of the station and it is said that he chose the call letters (Edison Electric Illuminating). The studios were at 39 Boylston and there was a working kitchen, called the "Friendly Kitchen" at street level, so the public could see all the cool new Edison appliances. WEEI didn't begin the move to 182 Tremont till 1929, and the move wasn't finished till 1931.

 

[dlhalper]

Someone should document all this history in the BOSTON Museum of Radio. Still, think the Emerson College, as a communication college has NOT fulfilled it obligation to preserve this history and neither has Boston University's School of Communication.

The problem as I see it is turf wars. For example, I am (I think) a fairly well-respected media historian. I've been on the History Channel, ABC Nightline, Chronicle, PBS NewsHour, etc. I've written 3 books and many articles. Yet when various groups have been planning a museum or a tribute or whatever else, my phone doesn't ring-- or on the rare occasions when it does, it's people who want to use my research for free. I can name groups that in fact have used my research without asking and without so much as a thank-you.

Okay fine, doing media history is a labour of love, and I never expected to make the big bucks or have anyone bowing before me. But at times, I feel that this work is not valued-- it seems we friendly media historians get no respect unless somebody has a query about how their third cousin on their father's side was on WEEI in 1929 and can I get them a tape of the broadcast? (Answer, no. Tape hadn't been invented, and few local stations did any transcriptions in 1929.)

Based on what I've seen in Boston, each group or university carves out its own territory and doesn't want input from anyone else. Boston University for example has lots of files and archives related to media, but you have to jump through endless hoops to use them. Emerson's archives are a bit more user friendly, but there is no one central repository for ALL the media history-- each school or each group hangs on to theirs, and not much sharing goes on. Sigh...