WLBZ radio evolved from the passion of Thompson Guernsey, an amateur radio buff from Dover-Foxcroft who began experimenting with radio at the age of thirteen. As noted in a piece written by Fred Thompson in The History of Broadcasting in Maine: the First Fifty Years, Guernsey--considered by some to be an eccentric genius--began with homemade receivers and transmitters and an amateur license granted in 1921. After graduating from the University of Maine in 1926, Guernsey began operating WLBZ as a commercial broadcast station from Dover-Foxcroft.
In 1928, he moved his studio to the back of the Andrews Music House at 100 Main Street in Bangor and connected to a transmitter located at 861 Broadway. According to Thompson, "Radio was new to everyone in 1926, and aside from WCSH in Portland, his was the only commercial radio station in the state." Subsequent WLBZ general managers were Edward Guernsey, (1934-1974), Irving Hunter (1974-1976), Edward Owen, (1976-1978) and Barry Darling (1978-1983).
The WLBZ station records and audio recordings at the University of Maine's Raymond H. Fogler Library Special Collections Department reflect rapid growth and evolution of the station from the 1930s to the 1970s. Materials include station logs, items related to licensing and operations, and many audio recordings of locally recorded programming. This digital collection makes several of these audio recordings available along with accompanying transcribed text.
For more information about files included in this collection or other materials in the station records, contact Special Collections, 5729 Raymond H. Fogler Library, Orono, ME 04469-5729, 207.581.1686, um.library.spc @ maine.edu.
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Governor Frederick G. Payne Announces Intention to Run for U. S. Senate
WLBZ Radio
Maine Governor Frederick G. Payne explains his reasons for entering the Republican primary election for United States Senate on February 16, 1952. This meant the race for the nomination included three GOP candidates. The others were the incumbent Senator Owen Brewster and Ralph A. Dyer of Bangor. Radio commentator Phil Johnson also provides a bit of biographical information about Payne.
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Fire Destroys Home of the Clements Family of Verona Island
WLBZ Radio
An interview with members of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Clements of Verona Island, Maine, following a fire that destroyed the family home in 1952. Children in the family included Roy, Rilla, Oliver, Paul and Brian. Phillip W. Buxton, editor of the local Bucksport Free Press, had contacted WLBZ radio in the hopes of sharing information about the family's loss to see if listeners would provide donations to help the family recover.
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Interview with H. V. Kaltenborn
WLBZ Radio
Irving Hunter interviews H. V. Kaltenborn, national radio news commentator, prior to his talk at Bangor City Hall for the fist Ashley Smith Memorial Lecture. The two discuss Kaltenborn's impressions of Maine, his career as an author, his visit to a recent NATO conference where spoke with General Eisenhower, Kaltenborn's opinion of world affairs, the situation in Korea, Taft versus Eisenhower as the best Republican candidate for President, and a Steel Strike that had led to suggestions that President Truman should be impeached. Recorded at the WLBZ Studios in Bangor, Maine, May 14, 1952.
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Little League Interview with Billy Dyer
WLBZ Radio
Eddie Owen interviews Little League Baseball player Billy (Dyer? or Varney?) at Bass Park in Bangor on July 9, 1952.
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Little League Interview with Franklin Field
WLBZ Radio
Eddie Owen interviews Little League Baseball player Franklin Field at Bass Park in Bangor on July 9, 1952.
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Little League Interview with Jeffrey Mazerolle
WLBZ Radio
Eddie Owen interviews Little League Baseball player Jeffrey Mazerolle at Bass Park in Bangor on July 9, 1952.
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Little League Interview with Reggie Strout
WLBZ Radio
Eddie Owen interviews Little League Baseball player Reggie Strout at Bass Park in Bangor on July 9, 1952.
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General Electric TV Spots, Bob Arnold Interviews Several Area Residents
WLBZ Radio
Bob Arnold of WLBZ interviews several shoppers to see which of three television sets offers the best picture. Recorded in 1953 at Rice & Tyler's, an electronics store at 74 Central, Bangor, Maine.
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Kay and Norm Show Performance of Somewhere Over the Rainbow Sponsored by Glidden Paint
WLBZ Radio
The opening and closing portions of a program called the Kay and Norm Show featuring Kay DeWitt and Norman Lambert. After DeWitt sings the opening lyrics from Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Irving Hunter announces that the show is sponsored by the Glidden Paint Company and Glidden dealers. Dated May 22, 1953.
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Maine TV-Radio News and Guide, July 1953
T-V Publications
The July, 1953 issue of "the first and only illustrated feature magazine of news and views of TV and radio personalities and events in Maine."
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Console and Keyboard Melodies Featuring Norm Lambert
WLBZ Radio
A musical program featuring Norman Lambert playing popular tunes on the organ and piano. This episode, recorded in July, 1953, featured the songs Oh, You Beautiful Doll, When My Baby Smiles at Me, Intermezzo, I Want to Be Happy, Poor Butterfly, and Who?
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Maine TV-Radio News and Guide, September 1953
T-V Publications
An issue of Maine TV - Radio News and Guide from September, 1953.
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Kay DeWitt Sings Butterflies
WLBZ Radio
Kay DeWitt sings the song Butterflies, accompanied by piano, September 16, 1953.
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Kay DeWitt Sings Indian Summer
WLBZ Radio
Kay DeWitt sings the song Indian Summer, accompanied by piano, September 16, 1953.
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Kay Dewitt Sings Local School Songs
WLBZ Radio
Kay DeWitt, a local singer around Orono and Bangor, sings the classic songs "You Gotta Be a Football Hero", The Brewer High Fight Song, The John Bapst Fight Song, The Bangor High Fight Song, and The UMaine Stein Song in 1953.
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Kay DeWitt Sings Punky Pumpkin
WLBZ Radio
Kay DeWitt sings the song Punky Pumpkin (Happy Pumpkin), accompanied by piano, September 16, 1953.
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Kay DeWitt Sings The Things We Did Last Summer
WLBZ Radio
Kay DeWitt sings the song The Things We Did Last Summer, accompanied by piano, September 16, 1953.
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Bill Mincher Interviews Senator Joseph McCarthy
WLBZ Radio
Bill Mincher of WLBZ in Bangor, Maine, interviews Senator Joseph McCarthy in 1953 regarding investigations at Fort Monmouth and a General Electric plant in Lynn, Massachusetts. Mincher also asks McCarthy and about recent changes in veterans' benefits, and whether any communist investigations are planned in Maine.
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Your Radio Station, ABC In Central Maine, WTVL
The Kennebec Broadcasting Co.
Station photographs and the program schedule for Radio Station WTVL in Waterville, Maine, for August 1 - 31, [1954?].
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Governor Burton M. Cross and Senator Margaret Chase Smith, Excerpts from Campaign Comments
WLBZ Radio
Excerpts of comments made by Burton M. Cross (running for Maine Governor) and Margaret Chase Smith (United States Senate) during the campaign of 1954.
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Mothers' March on Polio Announcements
WLBZ Radio
Several announcements from organizers of the March of Dimes Mothers' March on Bangor's west side in the winter of 1954. Announcers explain the need to prevent polio, and identify themselves as Mrs. Irving Fadden, Mrs. John Townsend, Mrs. John F. O'Brien, Mrs. Robert G. Finn, Mrs. Gladys Gifford, Mrs. Aubrey Hill, Mrs. Morris Kelley and Mrs. Dwight Russell.
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Maine TV News and Guide
Cape Publishing Co.
Volume 1, number 10 of Maine TV News and Guide for June 13-19, 1954.
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Raymond Campbell for County Commissioner, Political Spot
WLBZ Radio
A paid political announcement, in the form of an interview with Raymond Campbell, highlighting his previous experience and how it would help in serving as Penobscot County Commissioner. Recorded June 17, 1954.
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Zint Wyant Interviewed About New Bridge in the Bangor Area
WLBZ Radio
Zint Wyant explains the reasons for selecting the site of Bangor-Brewer bridge in 1954.
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Ted Williams Interview about 1954 World Series
WLBZ Radio
Ted Williams, interviewed by Eddie Owen, when Giants-Indians world series had resulted in two Giants wins.
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State Senator Allen Woodcock Interviewed about New Auditorium
WLBZ Radio
Allen Woodcock, Jr., State Senator, interviewed at scene of Bangor’s new auditorium as it is being built in 1954. Interviewed by W. C. Mincher.
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Edward M. Graham, Sr., on New Steam Turbine in Veazie
WLBZ Radio
Edward M. Graham, Sr., discusses the new steam turbine dedicated at Bangor Hydro’s Graham Station in Veazie in 1954.
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Ten Minutes at Bangor Police Headquarters
WLBZ Radio
Bangor Police Chief John Toole and Dispatcher Dick Whittemore are interviewed by W.C. Mincher for a feature story, "Ten Minutes at Police Headquarters" in 1954. The Chief speaks on safety, the audience hears radio calls come in, and Whittemore explains his duties.
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Major Voyles at Dow Air Force Base Weather Station
WLBZ Radio
Major Voyles at the Dow Air Force Base Weather Station, explains workings of weather forecasting. Interviewed by W.C. Mincher in October, 1954.
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Jim Adams Interviewed on How To Winterize a Car
WLBZ Radio
Jim Adams, Bud Chamberlain, and Les McClain are interviewed by W. C. Mincher for tips on how to winterize a car in 1954.
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Dedication of the Bangor - Brewer Toll Bridge
WLBZ Radio
Live broadcast of dedication ceremonies for the "new" bridge between Bangor and Brewer, Maine, on November 11, 1954. Speakers included Governor Burton M. Cross, Clarence S. Crosby, and several Bangor city officials.
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History of the Bangor House
WLBZ Radio
Horace Chapman, Bangor House Proprietor, tells of some of the notable moments in the hotel's history, including visits of prohibitionist leader Carry Nation and U. S. Presidents Grant, McKinley, Teddy Roosevelt and Taft. Recorded in 1954.
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Interview with Rufus Googins, Proprietor of the Jed Prouty Tavern in Bucksport
WLBZ Radio
Bill Mincher interviews Rufus Googins, at the time proprietor of the Jed Prouty Tavern in Bucksport, Maine. They discuss the aspects of the tavern that have hardly changed since the early 1800s, the historic role of the tavern keeper as interacting with the guests, the fact that Mr. Googins had decided to donate the property across the street to the city for a park, and that an article would also appear about Googins and other Bucksport "characters" in the upcoming January issue of DownEast Magazine. Recorded November 19, 1954.
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Greetings from Bangor Wales to Bangor Maine
BBC Radio
A program produced in cooperation with WLBZ to share greetings and information about daily live from Bangor, North Wales to the people of Bangor, Maine. Not dated. Circa 1955.
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Advertisement for Cutler's Women's Store in Old Town
WLBZ Radio
An advertisement for Cutler's Women's Store in Old Town, Maine, promising the latest in spring fashions in 1955.
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Bangor Radio Value Days Window Shopping
WLBZ Radio
Irving Hunter makes his way around downtown Bangor, Maine, to describe items in store windows that will be on sale for Bangor Radio Value Days. He mentions several of the participating businesses and describes products at Freese's Department Store, Farrar Furniture Company, Standard Shoe Store, J.J. Newberry Store, Crown Jewelers, and the W.T. Grant store. Not dated; circa 1955.
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History Spot, Bangor During Prohibition
WLBZ Radio
A brief account of Bangor during Prohibition that seems to have been prepared as a part of a weekly series of shorts to air between programs in 1955. Although the recording promises a follow up to continue the story the following week, this seems to be the only segment available from this series.
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Memorial Day Highway Safety Announcements
WLBZ Radio
Short announcements by several state officials to encourage safe driving during Memorial Day weekend, circa 1955. The station gathered statements from Chief of the Bangor Police Department John B. Toole, Chief of the Brewer Police Department Ralph Willoughby, Maine State Police Officers Robert Marx and John DeWinter, and Maine Governor Edmund S. Muskie (who served as Governor from 1955 to 1959, helping to date the recordings.)
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Sunset Industries Feature with C. Everett Page
WLBZ Radio
An interview at Sunset Industries, Incorporated of Bangor at 40 Columbia Street, a business whose purpose was to provide employment for women over the age of 60. Includes a brief comment from one of the women working there, Azuba McNamara. Interview not dated. Circa 1955.
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WLBZ Economy Home Construction, Part 1
WLBZ Radio
Irving Hunter interviews Dave Tolman, a member of the crew working on construction of the WLBZ Economy Home, a model home being built on the Pierce Road in Brewer, Maine. Not dated. Circa 1955.
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WLBZ Economy Home Construction, Part 2
WLBZ Radio
Irving Hunter provides and update on the progress of construction at the WLBZ Economy Home on Pierce Road in Brewer, Maine. Not dated; circa 1955.
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WLBZ Presents the Knickerbocker Four
WLBZ Radio
A recording of a studio performance of a barbershop quartet. No information on station log. Circa 1955.
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Interview with Lew Colomy, President of the Maine Fish and Game Association
WLBZ Radio
Lew Colomy explains the role of the Fish and Game Association, the classification system for Maine water quality in lakes and rivers, efforts to tackle pollution and the economic impact of the hunting and fishing industry in Maine.
This recording includes a segment of Governor Edmund Muskie outlining four recommendations to improve water quality.
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Bangor Interracial Chorus Performs Early To Bed
WLBZ Radio
The station log for WLBZ Radio noted that this broadcast included this song along with two others, recorded January 23, 1955: Bangor Interracial Chorus, Wm. [William] Cupp, director; Harold Annis, accompanist.
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Lincoln Community Band Performs American Cadet March
WLBZ Radio
The Lincoln Community Band gives an instrumental performance February 13, 1955. An announcer introduces the song as, "American Cadet March by R. B. Hall."
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Lincoln Community Band Performs Gloria
WLBZ Radio
The Lincoln Community Band gives an instrumental performance February 13, 1955. An announcer introduces the song as, "Gloria, by Losey."
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Lincoln Community Band Performs Greeting to Bangor
WLBZ Radio
The Lincoln Community Band gives an instrumental performance February 13, 1955. An announcer introduces the song as, "Greeting to Bangor, a march by R. B. Hall."
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Lincoln Community Band Performs Salutations March
WLBZ Radio
The Lincoln Community Band gives an instrumental performance February 13, 1955. An announcer introduces the song as, "Salutations March by Seitz."
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Bangor High School Basketball Team Send-Off at Union Station
WLBZ Radio
A recording of a gathering of supporters to cheer the Bangor High School 1955 State Champion Basketball team at Union Station in Bangor as they boarded to travel to Boston to play Burlington, Vermont in the New England interscholastic tournament. WLBZ has a chance to briefly interview Coach Fred Barry. Cheerleaders and the school band perform, and there is mention of several of the players on the team.
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Bangor High School Basketball Return From New England Tournament
WLBZ Radio
WLBZ reporting from Union Station in Bangor as a crowd of 3,000 people welcome the Bangor High School Rams home after the New England Tournament at Boston Garden in 1955.