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 with an A. B. in electronic engineering, 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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Nissen Bakery Open House, Mrs. Grant Interview
WLBZ Radio
Paul Ford interviews Mrs. Clayton Grant of Bangor at the open house of Nissen Baking Corp.'s new plant on Abbott Street, Brewer, Maine.
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Nissen Bakery Open House, Mrs. Hopkins Interview
WLBZ Radio
Paul Ford interviews Mrs. Mavis Hopkins of Dedham at the open house of Nissen Baking Corporation's new plant on Abbott Street, Brewer, Maine.
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Nissen Bakery Open House, Mrs. Jamison Interview
WLBZ Radio
Bill Mincher interviews Mrs. John Jamison of Brewer at the open house of Nissen Baking Corporation's new plant on Abbott Street, Brewer, Maine.
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Nissen Bakery Open House, Mrs. King Interview
WLBZ Radio
Paul Ford interviews Mrs. Henry King, Jr., of Brewer at the open house of Nissen Baking Corporation's new plant on Abbott Street, Brewer, Maine.
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Nissen Bakery Open House, Mrs. Millett Interview
WLBZ Radio
Bill Mincher interviews Mrs. Everett Millett of Brewer at the open house of Nissen Baking Corporation's new plant on Abbott Street, Brewer, Maine.
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Nissen Bakery Open House, Mrs. Moore Interview
WLBZ Radio
Paul Ford interviews Mrs. George Moore (or Mower) of Bangor at the open house of Nissen Baking Corp.'s new plant on Abbott Street, Brewer, Maine.
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Nissen Bakery Open House, Mrs. Schmidt Interview
WLBZ Radio
Bill Mincher interviews Mrs. Martin Schmidt of Bangor at the open house of Nissen Baking Corporation's new plant on Abbott Street, Brewer, Maine.
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Nissen Bakery Open House, Mrs. Shaw Interview
WLBZ Radio
Irv Hunter interviews Mrs. Carl Shaw of Brewer at the open house of Nissen Baking Corp.'s new plant on Abbott Street, Brewer, Maine.
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Nissen Bakery Open House, Mrs. Varney Interview
WLBZ Radio
Paul Ford interviews Mrs. Richard Varney of Bangor at the open house of Nissen Baking Corporation's new plant on Abbott Street, Brewer, Maine.
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Nissen Bakery Open House, Mrs. Wade Interview
WLBZ Radio
Paul Ford interviews Mrs. May Wade at the open house of Nissen Baking Corp.'s new plant on Abbott Street, Brewer, Maine.
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Nissen Bakery Open House, Mrs. York Interview
WLBZ Radio
Irv Hunter interviews Mrs. Ralph York of Brewer at the open house of Nissen Baking Corp.'s new plant on Abbott Street, Brewer, Maine.
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Nissen Bakery Open House, Mundy Interview
WLBZ Radio
Bill Mincher interviews William Mundy of Brewer at the open house of Nissen Baking Corp.'s new plant on Abbott Street, Brewer, ME.
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Nissen Bakery Open House, Nissen Employee Interview
WLBZ Radio
Paul Ford interviews a Mr. Reynolds, a Nissen employee, of Bangor at the open house of Nissen Baking Corp.'s new plant on Abbott Street, Brewer, Maine.
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Nissen Bakery Open House, Schiro Interview
WLBZ Radio
Paul Ford interviews Dave Schiro of Bangor at the open house of Nissen Baking Corp.'s new plant on Abbott Street in Brewer, Maine.
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Nissen Bakery Open House, Soucie Interview
WLBZ Radio
Bill Mincher interviews J.A. Soucie of Fredericton, Canada, at the open house of Nissen Baking Corporation's new plant on Abbott Street, Brewer, ME.
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Nissen Bakery Open House, Wilks Interview
WLBZ Radio
Bill Mincher interviews Miss Norma Wilks of Bangor at the open house of Nissen Baking Corporation's new plant on Abbott Street, Brewer, ME.
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Nissen Bakery Open House, York Interview
WLBZ Radio
Paul Ford interviews Gerald York of Brewer at the open house of Nissen Baking Corporation's new plant on Abbott Street, Brewer, Maine.
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Nissen Bakery Open House, Young Interview
WLBZ Radio
Paul Ford interviews Barret Young of Bangor at the open house of Nissen Baking Corp.'s new plant on Abbott Street, Brewer, Maine.
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Dot Campbell Interview with Patrick Dickinson, Exchange Teacher from England, Part 1
WLBZ Radio
Aroostook County Reporter Dot Campbell interviews Patrick Dickinson, an exchange teacher from New Castle, England. They discuss how he came to be here in Maine, all about the exchange program and some of the differences between England and America.
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Dot Campbell Interview with Patrick Dickinson, Exchange Teacher from England, Part 2
WLBZ Radio
The second part of a two part interview with Patrick Dickinson done by Dot Campbell. The pair discusses some differences between the United States and England and what Mr. Dickinson wants to be doing and what he will be doing in his spare time.
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Hoffman Television Advertisements
WLBZ Radio
Four short advertisements for Hoffman television sets from 1956.
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Hotel Bellevue Advertisements
WLBZ Radio
Three advertisements encouraging Maine residents to consider a family trip to Boston to stay at the Hotel Bellevue on Beacon Hill. Recorded in 1958.
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Promotional Spot for Bob Day Country Music Show and Hanson’s Depart Mart, South Brewer
WLBZ Radio
A short announcement encouraging listeners to tune in to listen to country music on the the Bob Day Show on Saturday mornings and an upcoming show about Hanson's Depart Mart on Main Street in South Brewer, Maine. Recorded August 20, 1958.
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Edward H. Keith for City Councilman, Political Annoucements
WLBZ Radio
Short announcements encouraging Bangor voters to elect Edward H. Keith City Councilman in October, 1958.
