Museum of History & Industry, Sophie Frye Bass Library
5933 6th Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98108
Phone: 206-324-1126
URL: http://www.mohai.org
2003.35
Wedes, Chris, 1928-2012
Chris Wedes Collection on J.P. Patches
1958-2003
3 boxes
1.3 linear feet
Photographs, fan mail, and other materials relating to the work of Chris Wedes
as J.P. Patches, a clown who hosted a KIRO-TV children's program for 23 years.
15a.1.5, 10 Collection materials are in
English.
Biographical Note:
Julius Pierpont (J. P.) Patches, portrayed by Chris Wedes, was a clown on a long-running children's television
program on KIRO in Seattle. Wedes grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota. At Macalester College, he performed in various
theatre productions and started a campus radio station. He served in the Army in Korea; upon his return he started work
as a director at WMIN-TV in Minneapolis. He began to portray several characters on the air, including J.P. Patches, a
role originated by another actor. When KIRO-TV began broadcasting in Seattle, Wedes was hired to host the station's
first live program, which debuted on February 10, 1958.
The J.P. Patches Show featured Wedes as the eponymous clown, who was mayor of the city dump and was forever
pursued by Gertrude, played by Bob Newman. Viewers -- who numbered 100,000 at the show's peak -- were encouraged to
become "Patches Pals" by doing things like minding their parents, sharing their toys, and brushing their teeth. The
show ran for 23 years until its cancellation in 1981. Wedes and Newman continued to make appearances and support local
charities, most notably Seattle's Children's Hospital.
This collection contains materials relating to the work of Chris Wedes as J.P. Patches, including photographs,
posters, newsletters, and scripts. Photographs include professional shots as well as snapshots sent in by fans. Also
included is a significant amount of fan mail from children. An interview with Wedes provides background information
about his childhood and career.
View selections from the collection in digital format by clicking on the camera icons in the inventory
below.
This collection is open to the public by appointment.
The Museum of History & Industry is the owner of the materials in the Sophie Frye Bass Library and makes
available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from MOHAI
before any reproduction use. The museum does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections.
In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.
Chris Wedes Collection on J.P. Patches, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle
The collection was donated by Chris Wedes in 2003.
Processed by Helice Koffler in 2003.
15 photographs, 1 drawing, 2 certificates and 1 item of ephemera were added to the collection in 2009.
The donation includes a number of artifacts which are cataloged and stored separately by MOHAI's Collections
Department.
KIRO, Inc. (Seattle, Wash.)
Photographs
Clowns -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
Fan mail
Media and Communication
Children and Youth
Seattle
Photographs
1
1
Certificates
1960-2003
1
2
Clippings
1966-2002
1
3
Correspondence (see also box 2)
1958-1998
1
3a
Question of the Day
1980
1
4
Ephemera (see also box 3)
1958-1998
1
5
Flyers
1958-2003
1
6
Interviews, reports
1973-1994
1
7
Newsletters
1963-1964
1
8
Photographs: Autographed to J.P. Patches
undated
1
9
Photographs: Contact sheets (see also box 3)
undated
1
10
Photographs: Patches Pals, then and now
1976-2002
1
11
Photographs: Personal appearances -- children's parties
1967-2003
1
12
Photographs: Personal appearances -- fairs, parades, and other events
1969-circa 1978
1
13
Photographs: Personal appearances -- fairs, parades, and other events
circa
1982-2002
1
14
Photographs: Personal appearances -- store openings or events
circa
1960-1969
1
15
Photographs: Personal appearances -- store openings or events
1972-2003
1
16
Photographs: Portraits (see also box 3)
undated
1
17
Photographs: Portraits -- fans
1959-circa 1997
1
18
Photographs: Television studio -- reunion show filming
circa
1990
1
19
Photographs: Television studio -- visitors to set
1966-circa 1985
1
20
Photographs: Miscellaneous
circa
1985-1998
1
21
Photographs: Negatives
undated
1
22
Press releases
undated
1
23
Programs
1979-1992
1
24
Songs
undated
1
25
Stationery
undated
1
26
Television scripts
1963-1992
2
1
Fan letters
1960-1969
2
2
Fan letters
1970-1971
2
3
Fan letters
1972-1973
2
4
Fan letters
1974-1976
2
5
Fan letters
1977-1978
2
6
Fan letters
1978
2
7
Fan letters
1980
2
8
Fan letters
1981
2
9
Fan letters
1982-1988
2
10
Fan letters
1992-2003
2
11
Fan letters
undated
2
12
Fan letters: Class visit
1969
2
13
Fan letters: Dear Santa letters
1980
2
14
Fan letters: E-mails
1997-1999
3
1
Printing plates
undated
3
2
Photographs -- contact sheets
undated
3
3
Photographs -- portraits
undated
3
4
Photograph--KIRO crew on 20th anniversary
circa 1978
3
5
Clippings
1993-2003
3
6
Programs
1994
3
7
Ephemera
undated
3
8
Posters
undated
3
9
Posters - autographed
undated
3
10
Drawing of Gertrude
undated