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Finding Aid for the "California's Gold" Collection
2011.114.r.c
2011.114.r.c
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Table of contents
Title:
California's Gold collection
Identifier/Call Number: 2011.114.r.c
Contributing Institution:
Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Leatherby Libraries
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
347.25 Linear feet
(7,329 A/V materials, 52 boxes, 2 framed portraits, 2 desks, 2 chairs, 2 digital video cameras, 1 Beta tape player, 1 MiniDV
tape player, 1 monitor, 1 flagpole)
Date (inclusive): 1971-2012
Abstract: Huell Howser was a broadcast journalist and television host most widely known for his television series,
California's Gold, which ran on various California public television stations from 1991 through 2012. Originally from Tennessee, Howser arrived
in Los Angeles in 1981, began working at KCET in 1985, and developed a travelog series that featured interesting people, businesses,
and stories from across California. The collection consists of audiovisual materials, production research files, professional
correspondence, press and publicity materials, photographs, ephemera and realia from the Huell Howser Production offices.
[identify item and box], California's Gold collection (2011.114.r.c.), Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and
Archives, Chapman University, CA.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Gift of Huell Howser Productions, 2012.
There are restrictions on the use of this material, please contact the archivist for the details. This collection contains
previously copyrighted material and it is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions.
Conditions Governing Access note
This collection is open for research.
Full episode air tapes have been digitized. A digital access copy is available for viewing on site or at www.huellhowserarchives.com
Huell Burnley Howser (1945-2013) was an American broadcast journalist best known for
California's Gold, his travel show based in Los Angeles at KCET and aired on California public broadcast stations.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, and raised in Gallatin, Tennessee, Howser received a BA in Education from the University of Tennessee,
and served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, as an aircraft mechanic. In 1971, Howser began working at WSM-TV in
Nashville, Tennessee where he developed his interviewing style. He served as their Feature Director and Reporter of Special
Projects and appeared live nightly on the six o’clock news. His assignments included the country music scene in Nashville,
politics, human interest stories, and general news. Howser also produced television series focused on human interest stories
such as
Happy Features and
The Happy World of Huell Howser.
Howser also worked in New York before moving to Los Angeles in 1981 to work as a reporter for KCBS-TV. He served as a weekend
host and correspondent for the show,
Entertainment Tonight from 1981 to 1983. In 1985 he joined the public broadcast system affiliate KCET as a producer for the show
Videolog. At KCET, Howser created
California's Gold in 1991 and
Visiting...with Huell Howser in 1993. Along with cameraman, Luis Fuerte, Howser sought untapped stories throughout the state.
By 2000, Howser's shows aired six nights a week and were watched by nearly one million viewers a week on KCET alone. In addition
to local stations, his programs could be viewed on PBS stations in Hawaii, Oregon, Nevada, Tennesse, countless public access
channels, and even the Armed Forces radio and Television Service. By 2012, Howser had produced nearly 1,500 programs chronicling
the people and places of California. He announced his retirement on November 28, 2012. Howser passed away on January 7, 2013
at the age of 67 at his Palm Springs home.
Creator's original order has been retained, whenever possible, and arranged into the following series:
Series 1, Audio/Video Tapes
Series 2, Production Files
Series 3, Production Ideas
Series 4, Correspondence, Organizations
Series 5, Correspondence, Fan Mail
Series 6, Appearances and Press
Series 7, Photographs and Graphic Materials
Series 8, Realia
In 2011, Huell Howser began talks with Chapman University regarding the donation of copies of the on-air episodes of his various
PBS television series, including
California's Gold, this led to his donation of the memorabilia he had collected from fans and his travels as well as the 1800 volume research
library that his production staff had accrued, to the Leatherby Libraries.
During the discussions regarding this donation Howser decided to donate the tape raw footage that he had shot for his various
California television series, his professional papers as well as a small personal book collection to the library. Collection
materials were donated over a period of time, from 2012-2014.
The collection is comprised largely of audiovisual materials created from 1985 through 2012 for various series, including
California's Gold,
Visiting with Huell Howser,
California's Missions,
Road Trip, and others. There are 7,758 raw footage, b-roll materials, edit master tapes, and broadcast air tapes. The media is mainly
video, however there are CD's and DVD's throughout the collection.
Another large component of the collection are the production files, which were created and maintained by the Huell Howser
Productions team. A file was created for each episode, which includes contact information for people and places featured in
the show, production checklists, editing notes, episode synopses, research materials, correspondence, and photographs.
Lastly, objects, electronics, and furniture from the Huell Howser production office also help make up the collection.
Related Archival Materials note
Huell Howser Papers, 2012.123.r.c.
California's Gold Memorial Collection, 2013.011.r.c
The Huell Howser Califonia's Gold Book Collection, Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Howser, Huell, (Burnley), 1945-2013
California -- History.
Television personalities--California--Los Angeles--Archival resources.
Television personalities--United States.
Television programs -- United States.