A few years ago I began collecting things that related to WJMA radio in Orange and while it's still not complete, much of that material has found its way to a WJMA history web site www.wjma.radiohistory.net. With the help of many former staffers, we've found hundreds of photos and other images from the station's past. I also have over 150 hours of air checks, sports play-by-play, news programs and other audio. Some of the audio is on the web site, more is being added. All of it is being digitized and will be donated to the Orange County Historical Society for long term preservation.
I have not done a very complete job of documenting employees after I left WJMA in 1984, so if you worked there and don't find your name on the All-Time Staff List, let me know through one of the contact links on the WJMA site.
As part of collecting the history of WJMA, Russ Roberts and I interviewed 28 former staff, owners and listeners and produced a 90 minute video documentary. There's a trailer on the web site. It has been well received locally. Copies have been donated to the Orange County Historical Society and the Orange County Public Library. Additionally, The Virginia Historical Society and The Library of Virginia requested a copy of the documentary for their files.
It's sad to think about all the good material that has been aired on radio only to vanish in the air. There needs to be a effort to preserve radio history so that future historians will be able to get a fuller picture of what things were like "in the old days".
Ross Hunter
Orange, VA
I have not done a very complete job of documenting employees after I left WJMA in 1984, so if you worked there and don't find your name on the All-Time Staff List, let me know through one of the contact links on the WJMA site.
As part of collecting the history of WJMA, Russ Roberts and I interviewed 28 former staff, owners and listeners and produced a 90 minute video documentary. There's a trailer on the web site. It has been well received locally. Copies have been donated to the Orange County Historical Society and the Orange County Public Library. Additionally, The Virginia Historical Society and The Library of Virginia requested a copy of the documentary for their files.
It's sad to think about all the good material that has been aired on radio only to vanish in the air. There needs to be a effort to preserve radio history so that future historians will be able to get a fuller picture of what things were like "in the old days".
Ross Hunter
Orange, VA