Finding aid for California's Gold memorial archive
2013.011.r.c
Finding aid prepared by Angel Diaz and Briana Blanchard
Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Leatherby Libraries
Chapman University
One University Drive
Orange, CA, 92866
(714) 532 - 7711
rboyd@chapman.edu
07/17/2014
Title:
California's Gold memorial archive
Identifier/Call Number: 2013.011.r.c
Contributing Institution:
Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Leatherby Libraries
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
3.0 Linear feet
(1 document box, 1 large box, 3 framed awards, and 10 foamcore panels)
Date (inclusive): 2013-2014
Location note: B11B, Leatherby Libraries.
Abstract: Memorial items created to honor the passing of Huell Howser.
Scope and Contents note
This collection is composed of memorial materials relating to the memory of television personality, Huell Howser and the popularity
of his television program,
California's Gold. This collection includes foam poster boards from various fans, businesses and restaurants in remembrance of Huell Howser
as well as formal memorial material from various organizations and individuals. There are awards from the California Library
Association and the California State Senate, as well as a tree dedication certificate from Santa Barbara Beautiful. The collection
also includes a mosaic piece that a fan created in rememberance of Huell Howser.
Biographical/Historical note
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 Gallatin, Tennessee, Howser received a BA in history from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and served in the
United States Marine Corps Reserve. He served for five years 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, "unmined" 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.
Preferred Citation note
[identify item and box], California's Gold Memorial Collections (2013.011.r.c), Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections
and Archives, Chapman University, CA.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
This collection is composed of gifts created and donated by various parties from 2013-2014, including Robert DaGasta, City
of Los Angeles council member Tom Labonge, Bud Stuart, Leann Dickson, and Santa Barbara Beautiful.
Conditions Governing Use note
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.
Conditions Governing Access note
This collection is open for research.
Arrangement note
This collection is arranged by date.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Howser, Huell, (Burnley), 1945-2013
Public television--California.
Television personalities--United States.
Television programs -- United States.
Frame 1
Senate of California award
, 2013 January 7
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
(1 framed award)
Scope and Contents note
This collection is composed of one framed Resolution by the California State Senate expressing sympathy for Howser's death
and recognizing his legacy as a television personality in the State of California.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
California--Legislature--Senate
Frame 2, Box 1, Folder 2
California Library Association Hall of Fame award
, 2013 February 3
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
(1 folder and 1 framed award)
Scope and Contents note
The California Library Association honored Huell Howser with an induction to the California Library Hall of Fame in 2013.
1 award certificate
1 award
Subjects and Indexing Terms
California Library Association.
Box 1, Folder 3
Margit Chriaco Rusche and James Doti correspondence
, 2013 February
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
(1 folder)
Scope and Contents note
This collection contains mail correspondence between James Doti and Margit Chiriaco Rusche regarding the event, “A Golden
Legacy: Celebrating the California’s Gold Collection and Scholarship Fund and the Huell Howser Archive," held at Chapman university.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Doti, James L., President
Box 1, Folder 4
California Chapter Family Motor Coach Association papers
, 2013 September 14
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
(1 folder)
Scope and Contents note
This collection includes materials from the California Chapter of the Family Motor Coach Association's (CCFMCA) visit to one
of Huell Howser's homes, known as the Volcano House. The Volcano House is located in the Mojave Desert. Chapman University
hosted the tour.
1 email correspondence from Roy D. McDaniel to Chapman University President James Doti
8 pages of images from CCFMCA Volcano House Field Trip
1 thank you note to President Doti and Chapman from CCFMCA.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Doti, James L., President
Family Motor Coach Association.
Box 1, Folders 5-6, Oversize 10 panels
Robert DaGasta memorial papers
2013
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
(2 folders and 10 large foamcore panels)
Scope and Contents note
The DaGasta memorial papers are tribute materials composed of photographic images, signatures, and notes by fans of Huell
Howser and his television programs. Robert DaGasta initiated the creation of and collected all of the materials after Howser's
death in 2013.
67 cards signed by fans
1 cardboard card
1 letter from Jackie Hadnot
1 CD of "It's All for Huell" photos and master scans
1 email correspondence from Robert DaGasta to Rand Boyd
3 17" by 11" posters signed by fans
10 foamcore panels "It's All for Huell"
Subjects and Indexing Terms
DaGasta, Robert
Box 1, Folder 6
Los Angeles Memorial papers and photographs
2013-2014
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
(1 folder)
Scope and Contents note
This collection was donated by Los Angeles Council member Tom Labonge in 2014. LaBonge held a tribute for Howser at the Griffith
Observatory in Los Angeles on January 17, 2013.
1 article "Tribute held for a piece of California Gold"
1 City of Los Angeles certificate of recognition
1 article from Park La Brea news
Subjects and Indexing Terms
LaBonge, Thomas J.
Frame 3, Box 1, Folder 7
Santa Barbara Beautiful tree dedication papers
, 2014 March-2014 May
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
(1 folder and 1 framed award)
Scope and Contents note
The Santa Barbara Beautiful tree dedication papers includes materials produced for and during the commemorative tree dedication
ceremony held in memory of Huell Howser on April 11, 2014.
1 email correspondence from Jacqueline S. Dyson to Rand Boyd
1 envelope to Rand Boyd
1 tree dedication ceremony program
2 CASA magazine articles about ceremony
31 pictures from ceremony
1 framed commemorative tree program certificate
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Santa Barbara Beautiful, Inc.
Box 1, Folder 8
Huell Howser poem
, 2014 April 11
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
(1 folder)
Scope and Contents note
1 poem written by Bud Stuart in memory of Huell Howser.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Stuart, Bud
Box 3
"That's Amazing" Huell Howser mosaic portrait
, 2014
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
(1 large box)
creator:
Dickson, LeeAnn
Scope and Contents note
Huell Howser portrait mosaic created by artist, LeeAnn Dickson.
