American Radio Archives Preserving Broadcast History

The American Radio Archives is a treasure trove for radio enthusiasts and historians alike. Located in the Thousand Oaks Library in California, the archives hold a vast collection of radio scripts, photographs, and other memorabilia from the golden age of radio.

The archives were founded in 2002 by Rick Ward, a radio historian and collector. Ward's passion for radio history is evident in the extensive collection he has amassed over the years.

One of the most impressive aspects of the archives is its collection of radio scripts. With over 100,000 scripts in its possession, the archives provide a unique glimpse into the creative process of some of the most iconic radio shows of all time.

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The American Radio Archives is one of the largest collections of archival material documenting the history of radio broadcasting in the United States.

Located at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) Library, the ARA was formerly housed at the Thousand Oaks Public Library, but was donated in its entirety to UCSB in 2021.

The ARA has more than 50 collections, including the papers of important figures in radio history like Norman Corwin and Rudy Vallée.

These collections include thousands of radio scripts, tapes, and transcription discs, as well as the archives of the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters and KNX radio.

Thanks to the Ahmanson Foundation, collection inventories and finding aids are being integrated into UCSB Library systems to provide access to researchers.

The ARA holds an impressive 23,000 radio and TV scripts, making it one of the biggest collections in the United States and even the world.

There are also 10,000 photographs and 10,000 books about radio history, as well as 5,000 audio recordings.

Some notable collections are named after famous people, including Bob Crosby, Norman Corwin, and Rudy Vallée.

The collections include scripts, books, and personal papers, as well as sound recordings, photos, and letters.

The American Radio Archives is a treasure trove for researchers and historians looking to explore the history of radio and TV broadcasting.

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The American Radio Archives is home to an impressive collection of radio broadcasting materials, with over 50 collections, including the papers of important figures like Norman Corwin and Rudy Vallée.

The archives were formerly housed at the Thousand Oaks Public Library but were donated to the UCSB Library in 2021. Today, most collections are onsite at UCSB, with inventories and finding aids being integrated into UCSB Library systems to provide access to researchers.

You can find a list of all the collections on the Thousand Oaks Library website, with 44 collections listed, although not all are searchable online. More than half of the collections have online guides to help you navigate.

Some notable collections include the Bob Crosby Collection, which features scripts from the Jack Benny Show, and the Broadcasting Collection, which includes scripts donated or purchased by the archives. The Carlton E. Morse Collection is particularly interesting, with scripts, photos, and letters documenting Morse's radio and TV work.

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The American Radio Archives also boasts an impressive collection of scripts, with over 23,000 radio and TV scripts available, including the Radio Series Scripts Collection, which spans from 1930 to 1990. Additionally, there are 10,000 photographs, 10,000 books on radio history, and 5,000 audio recordings to explore.

Here are some of the most interesting collections:

The American Radio Archives is home to an incredible collection of radio broadcasting materials, with over 23,000 radio and TV scripts, 10,000 photographs, and 10,000 books on radio history.

You can find a full list of all the collections on the Thousand Oaks Library website, where you'll discover 44 collections, although not all of them can be searched online.

Some of the most notable collections include the Bob Crosby Collection, which features three bound volumes of scripts from the Jack Benny Show, and the Broadcasting Collection, which is the general collection of the American Radio Archives, consisting of donated and purchased scripts.

The Carlton E. Morse Collection is another gem, consisting of scripts, photos, correspondence, and miscellaneous materials related to Morse's radio series and the TV adaptation of One Man's Family.

The LACC Collection includes television scripts donated to the archives by the Los Angeles City College Communications Department, while the Monty Masters Collection showcases the comedian's story treatments, scripts, and other material.

The Norman Corwin Collection is particularly impressive, with motion picture screenplays, sound- and video recordings, scrapbooks, and correspondence primarily related to Corwin's career in radio.

The Rudy Vallée Collection is also worth mentioning, with scrapbooks, correspondence, scripts, and other ephemera related to the singer-songwriter's career in radio and entertainment.

Here's a breakdown of some of the most interesting collections:

The American Radio Archives is a treasure trove of radio history, and exploring its collections is a must for anyone interested in this aspect of media history.