Studs Terkel Radio Archive: Preserving Decades of Oral History
For over 45 years, Studs Terkel captured the heartbeat of the human experience through his radio show on WFMT-FM and his groundbreaking oral history projects. Today, this legacy lives on through the Studs Terkel Radio Archive, a massive digital repository that transforms thousands of hours of audio into a public resource for historians, students, and the curious.
The archive consists of over 1,000 digitized audio tapes. These recordings originated from Terkel's long-running radio program or were used as primary research for his influential books, Division Street (1967) and Working (1974). By documenting the voices of ordinary and extraordinary people, Terkel created a sonic map of 20th-century life.
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Key Facts
- Total Donation: Studs Terkel donated 5,600 tapes to the Chicago History Museum.
- Broadcast History: Terkel's one-hour radio show aired five days a week from 1952 to 1997.
- Global Reach: Recordings include 50 programs from China (1980), as well as tapes from the UK, France, Italy, Denmark, South Africa, and the Soviet Union.
- Funding: A 2016 Kickstarter raised $87,152, and a $400,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) further supported digitization.
A Vast Collection of Human Experience
The breadth of the archive is reflected in the diversity of its guests. Terkel interviewed a wide spectrum of figures, ranging from political activists and poets to world-renowned musicians and entertainers. Notable interviewees include Martin Luther King Jr., Muhammad Ali, James Baldwin, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, and Bertrand Russell.
Beyond the famous names, the archive serves as a critical record of social evolution. The recordings cover pivotal topics such as civil rights, women's rights, gay rights, prison reform, and environmental issues, providing an unfiltered look at the struggles and triumphs of the era.
Notable Interviews and Media
Specific highlights within the collection include a 1962 conversation with Louis Daniel Armstrong and a 1967 session with Poet Laureate Gwendolyn Brooks. The Library of Congress also holds music-focused interviews featuring artists like Oscar Petersen and Memphis Slim.
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The Process of Creating the Archive
The journey from physical tapes to a digital archive was a collaborative effort. Terkel, who served as an artist-in-residence at the Chicago History Museum, donated his collection there. The museum subsequently partnered with the WFMT Radio network and the Library of Congress to ensure the recordings were preserved and accessible.
To expand accessibility, a 2016 Kickstarter campaign funded the creation of program transcripts and a permanent website. Later that year, the National Endowment for the Humanities provided a $400,000 grant to WFMT to accelerate digitization, post recordings online, and develop educational programming.
Currently, the archive is managed by Allison Schein Holmes, Director of Media Archives for WTTW/WFMT and the Studs Terkel Radio Archive, supported by a dedicated team of interns, volunteers, and part-time staff.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Tapes Donated | 5,600 |
| Radio Show Duration | 1952–1997 |
| Primary Institutions | Chicago History Museum, WFMT, Library of Congress |
| Key Funding Sources | Kickstarter ($87,152), NEH Grant ($400,000) |
| Major Works Referenced | Division Street (1967), Working (1974) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Studs Terkel Radio Archive?
It is a digital collection of over 1,000 audio tapes featuring interviews conducted by Studs Terkel for his WFMT-FM radio show and his oral history books, Division Street and Working.
Who are some of the famous people interviewed in the archive?
The archive includes interviews with a diverse array of figures, including Martin Luther King Jr., Muhammad Ali, Bob Dylan, James Baldwin, and Jacques Cousteau, among many others.
How can the public access these recordings?
Many recordings are available online through the official archive website. Additionally, the Chicago History Museum is working with the Library of Congress to make tapes available to visitors in Washington, DC.
How was the digitization of the archive funded?
Funding came from a 2016 Kickstarter campaign that raised $87,152 and a $400,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities awarded to WFMT in December 2016.
Did Studs Terkel record interviews outside of the United States?
Yes. The collection includes 50 programs recorded in China in 1980, as well as recordings from the Soviet Union, South Africa, Italy, France, the UK, and Denmark.