The collection documents the personal and professional life of Gene Nelson, a Sacramento television broadcast pioneer. Material spans most of his life, dating from 1919 to 2003, with the bulk from 1950 to 1980. Both his personal and professional life is documented through photographs and negatives; documents; correspondence; film, video, and audiotape; and artifacts. Personal items include photographs, documents, and artifacts related to his schooling, time in the military, and family. Items documenting his professional career include contracts, programs from his shows, ephemera, magazines and clippings, and a large number of audio, film, and video recordings of his shows.

Sacramento broadcasting pioneer Gene Nelson was born in 1921 in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. He began his show business career at the local college radio station, then joined the marines in 1942, fighting in World War II until 1945.

2 linear feet (2 boxes)

All requests to publish or quote from private manuscripts held by the Center for Sacramento History (CSH) must be submitted in writing to csh@cityofsacramento.org. Permission for publication is given on behalf of CSH as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the patron. No permission is necessary to publish or quote from public records.

Collection is open for research use.