California's Gold memorial archive, 2013-2014

Summary

Abstract:

Memorial items created to honor the passing of Huell Howser.

Extent:

3.0 Linear feet (1 document box, 1 large box, 3 framed awards, and 10 foamcore panels)

Language:

Preferred citation:

[identify item and box], California's Gold Memorial Collections (2013.011.r.c), Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Chapman University, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection is composed of memorial materials relating to the memory of television personality, Huell Howser and the popularity of his television program, California's Gold. This collection includes foam poster boards from various fans, businesses and restaurants in remembrance of Huell Howser as well as formal memorial material from various organizations and individuals. There are awards from the California Library Association and the California State Senate, as well as a tree dedication certificate from Santa Barbara Beautiful. The collection also includes a mosaic piece that a fan created in rememberance of Huell Howser.

Biographical / historical:

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 Gallatin, Tennessee, Howser received a BA in history from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. He served for five years 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, "unmined" 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.

Acquisition information:

This collection is composed of gifts created and donated by various parties from 2013-2014, including Robert DaGasta, City of Los Angeles council member Tom Labonge, Bud Stuart, Leann Dickson, and Santa Barbara Beautiful.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged by date.

Physical location:

B11B, Leatherby Libraries.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:

Public television--California.
Television personalities--United States.
Television programs -- United States.

Names:

Howser, Huell, (Burnley), 1945-2013

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

[identify item and box], California's Gold Memorial Collections (2013.011.r.c), Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Chapman University, CA.

Location of this collection:

Chapman University, Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Huell Howser Archives

One University Drive

Orange, CA 92866, US

Contact:

(714) 532-6088

calgold@chapman.edu

Website

Summary

Extent:

(1 framed award)

Language:

Background

Scope and content:

This collection is composed of one framed Resolution by the California State Senate expressing sympathy for Howser's death and recognizing his legacy as a television personality in the State of California.

Indexed terms

Subjects:

California--Legislature--Senate

Summary

Extent:

(1 folder and 1 framed award)

Language:

Background

Scope and content:

The California Library Association honored Huell Howser with an induction to the California Library Hall of Fame in 2013.

1 award certificate

1 award

Summary

Extent:

(1 folder)

Language:

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains mail correspondence between James Doti and Margit Chiriaco Rusche regarding the event, “A Golden Legacy: Celebrating the California’s Gold Collection and Scholarship Fund and the Huell Howser Archive," held at Chapman university.

Summary

Extent:

(1 folder)

Language:

Background

Scope and content:

This collection includes materials from the California Chapter of the Family Motor Coach Association's (CCFMCA) visit to one of Huell Howser's homes, known as the Volcano House. The Volcano House is located in the Mojave Desert. Chapman University hosted the tour.

1 email correspondence from Roy D. McDaniel to Chapman University President James Doti

8 pages of images from CCFMCA Volcano House Field Trip

1 thank you note to President Doti and Chapman from CCFMCA.

Summary

Extent:

(2 folders and 10 large foamcore panels)

Language:

Background

Scope and content:

The DaGasta memorial papers are tribute materials composed of photographic images, signatures, and notes by fans of Huell Howser and his television programs. Robert DaGasta initiated the creation of and collected all of the materials after Howser's death in 2013.

67 cards signed by fans

1 cardboard card

1 letter from Jackie Hadnot

1 CD of "It's All for Huell" photos and master scans

1 email correspondence from Robert DaGasta to Rand Boyd

3 17" by 11" posters signed by fans

10 foamcore panels "It's All for Huell"

Summary

Extent:

(1 folder)

Language:

Background

Scope and content:

This collection was donated by Los Angeles Council member Tom Labonge in 2014. LaBonge held a tribute for Howser at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles on January 17, 2013.

1 article "Tribute held for a piece of California Gold"

1 City of Los Angeles certificate of recognition

1 article from Park La Brea news

Summary

Extent:

(1 folder and 1 framed award)

Language:

Background

Scope and content:

The Santa Barbara Beautiful tree dedication papers includes materials produced for and during the commemorative tree dedication ceremony held in memory of Huell Howser on April 11, 2014.

1 email correspondence from Jacqueline S. Dyson to Rand Boyd

1 envelope to Rand Boyd

1 tree dedication ceremony program

2 CASA magazine articles about ceremony

31 pictures from ceremony

1 framed commemorative tree program certificate

Summary

Extent:

(1 folder)

Language:

Background

Scope and content:

1 poem written by Bud Stuart in memory of Huell Howser.

Summary

Creators:

Dickson, LeeAnn

Extent:

(1 large box)

Language:

Background

Scope and content:

Huell Howser portrait mosaic created by artist, LeeAnn Dickson.