Huell Howser papers, 1913-2014, bulk bulk

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Summary

Creators:
Howser, Huell (Burnley)
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. The collection consists of clippings, photographs, personal and professional correspondence, press and publicity materials, ephemera, professional awards and recognition, and memorabilia collected by Huell Howser.
Extent:
47.75 Linear Feet (32 boxes, 1 handheld video camera with case, 8 large framed items, 1 credenza, 1 display cabinet, 2 lamps, and 84 unboxed objects)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[identify item and box], Huell Howser papers (2012.123.r.c.), Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Chapman University, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of clippings, photographs, personal and professional correspondence, press and publicity materials, ephemera, professional awards and recognition, and memorabilia collected by Huell Howser throughout his work and travels. Although there are some materials from Howser's time in the Marine Corps Reserve and college, the main focus of the materials is on Howser's career, beginning in the 1970s at WSM-TV Nashville and through the early 2010s at KCET Los Angeles.

Biographical / historical:

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 BS 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 Reporter and Director 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.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Huell Howser, 2012.
Arrangement:

This collection is organized into the following series:

Series 1, Correspondence, professional

Series 2, Photographs

Series 3, Personal

Series 4, Publicity and Press

Series 5, Awards and Recognition

Series 6, Ephemera, professional

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions.

Preferred citation:

[identify item and box], Huell Howser papers (2012.123.r.c.), Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Chapman University, CA.

Location of this collection:
One University Drive
Orange, CA 92866, US
Contact:
(714) 532-7788
calgold@chapman.edu
Website