Historical note:

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Scope and content:

            This collection documents both business and programming aspects of a major network television station. Included are licencing reports that give detailed information on the year's programming; production notes for a special on the America's Cup race; daily planning notebooks on talk segments; and extensive correspondence on fund-raising telethons. The station's name changed from WPRO to WPRI in 1967, in conjunction with a change in ownership.

            These records were mostly part of the working files of Joe Fogarty, who was employed by WPRI-TV in Providence from about 1955 to 1986. He held the title of Director of Public Affairs before becoming an administrative assistant to the manager. According to a flier produced by the station, titled "1964 - Year of Achievement", "just to demonstrate that all talent needn't be imported, Joe Fogarty, director of public affairs, is a life-time Rhode Island resident."

            The first three folders in box 2, comprising the ephemera and notes on the America's Cup documentary, were from the files of Walter Bischoff, who had given them to Fogarty for disposition.

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Provenance:

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Processing note:

            Undated photographs from the station's production of Romper Room were sent to the Graphics Division.

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Inventory:

Box 1

Licence renewal exhibits, 1966

Includes extensive commentary on much of the station's programming for the year, including, for example, a list of topics for the talk show "Direct Question" and a list of call-in questions.

Assignment application, 1967

            Extensive packet of federal paperwork re transfer of station ownership.

Licence renewal application and ownership report, 1969

Includes eight-page section on "Station Activities That Pertain to the Needs and Interests of Black Citizens" (exhibit P-3), as well as other documentation of community involvement.

Box 2

Printed annual report, 1959

Miscellaneous:

            Printed annual reports, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965

            Nielsen Station Index, June 10-23 and July 1-14, 1963, for Providence

            Ticket for studio audience to the WPRO-TV Wing Ding Show, undated

            WPRO-TV Showcase newsletter, September 1961

            WPRO-TV bumper sticker

Script and production notes on "History of the America's Cup", 1970

Muscular Dystrophy Telethon notes, 1984

Easter Seals Telethon notes, 1984

Box 3

Weekly planners, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1985

            Mostly re booking guests on talk shows.

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Subjects:

Fogarty, Joe

Television stations - Rhode Island - Providence

xWPRO-TV   See WPRI-TV

Yachts and yachting - Rhode Island

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RIHS1822