Collection Guide
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Howser (Huell) papers
2012.123.r.c
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Leatherby Libraries
Title: Huell Howser papers
creator:
Howser, Huell (Burnley)
Identifier/Call Number: 2012.123.r.c
Physical Description:
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)
Date (inclusive): 1913-2014
Date (bulk): bulk
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.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Huell Howser, 2012.
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.
This collection is open for research.
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
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.
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.
[identify item and box], Huell Howser papers (2012.123.r.c.), Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives,
Chapman University, CA.
California's Gold Collection, 2011.114.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
California -- History.
Television personalities -- United States.
Television programs -- United States.
Public television -- California.
Television personalities -- California -- Los Angeles -- Archival resources.
Howser, Huell (Burnley)