Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
KBPS records, 1934-1998
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- KBPS (Radio station : Portland, Or.)
- Title
- KBPS records
- Dates
- 1934-1998 (inclusive)19341998
- Quantity
- 1.77 cubic feet, (2 letter document cases; 1 slim letter document case; 1 flat box (20x24))
- Collection Number
- Coll 822
- Summary
- Photographs, memorabilia, and written records of the KBPS radio station, and additional materials relating to other radio and television stations. KBPS is a radio station run by students of Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland, Oregon; it was founded in 1923.
- Repository
-
Oregon Historical Society Research Library
1200 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR
97205
Telephone: 503-306-5240
Fax: 503-219-2040
libreference@ohs.org - Access Restrictions
-
Collection is open for research.
- Languages
- English
Historical NoteReturn to Top
KBPS is a student-operated radio station that broadcasts from Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland, Oregon. The station was first licensed in 1923, with the call letters KFIF. The station changed its call letters to KBPS in 1930, the letters "BPS" standing for Benson Polytechnic School. Since its inception, KBPS has produced and aired a number of educational programs. Expenses for station equipment and technical improvements are paid for the the Benson student body.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The bulk of the collection consists of photographs and other memorabilia of KBPS, a radio station operated by students at Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland, Oregon. The photographs depict student staff, equipment, and special events such as anniversary celebrations. Additional memorabilia include a scrapbook with clippings, correspondence, and photographs. Also of note are correspondence, logs, paperwork such as Federal Communications Commission forms, and a doctoral thesis by long-time KPBS manager Patricia Green Swenson. In addition, the collection includes photographs relating to the education television station KOAP in Portland; wire copies of radio scripts concerning the assassination and funeral of John F. Kennedy; and radio editorial scripts of Ray Johnson, manager of KMED station in Medford, Oregon.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Preferred Citation
KBPS records, Coll 822, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
Restrictions on Use
The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in three series: Series 1. Written records; Series 2. Photographs, memorabilia, and history; Series 3. Other radio and television stations.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Ronald Kramer, February 2019 (RL2019-027).
Related Materials
The bulk of KBPS's records are located at the National Public Broadcasting Archives in College Park, Maryland.
Related Materials
Recordings of KBPS programs are designated SR 8000, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
Separated Materials
Antenna-shaped sign for KBPS was separated to Museum Collections, Oregon Historical Society.
Preservation Note
Digital reproductions on disk in Box 2, Folder 15 require a computer to access. Contact library staff for assistance.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series 1: Written records, 1934-1982Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 1 | Documents relating to station anniversaries |
1973-1982 |
| 1 | 2 | Application submitted to FCC with attached report and schematic concerning antenna |
1940; 1937 |
| 1 | 3 | Application submitted to FCC with attached agreement and schematic |
1940-1941 |
| 4 | 2 | Blank form for stock ownership change, to be filed by radio broadcast station licensee |
1934 |
| 4 | 3 | Blueprints - radio wave frequencies; schematic |
1936 October; undated |
| 1 | 4 | Correspondence, schedules, notes, and instructions concerning programming |
circa 1938-1945 |
| 1 | 5-7 | Records and correspondence concerning requirements, licensing, and permits |
1935-1956 |
| 1 | 8 | Financial records, reports, and schematic concerning equipment and radio frequencies |
1939-1941 |
| 1 | 9 | Operating and program logs |
1945 September |
| 1 | 10 | Radio script |
circa 1935 |
Series 2: Photographs, memorabilia, and history, 1940-1998Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 3 | 3 | Doctoral thesis of Patricia Green Swenson, "Radio in the Public Schools of Portland, Oregon," including a history of KBPS |
1961 |
| 1 | 11 | Photographs of 50th anniversary celebration |
1973 March 12 |
| 1 | 12-13 | Photographs gathered for 75th anniversary celebration; certificate signed by Portland mayor Vera Katz |
circa 1940-1998 |
| 1 | 14 | Photographs of Darryl Conser, producer |
1960-1974 |
| 1 | 15 | Photographs of elementary school students |
1947-1959 |
| 1 | 16 | Photographs of Great Gatsby gala |
1979 |
| 1 | 17 | Pledge week photographs and press release |
1980 February |
| 2 | 1 | Photographs of remote broadcasts (live sports broadcasts and off-site events) |
circa 1965-1974 |
| 2 | 2 | Photographs of Rose Festival princess interviews |
1970-1971 |
| 2 | 3 | Photographs of "Seeing Sound" program |
circa 1973-1979 |
| 2 | 4 | Photographs and memorabilia from Susan Stamberg visit |
1982 May |
| 2 | 5-10 | Photographs of staff, student broadcasters, equipment, and events |
circa 1949-1990 |
| 2 | 11-13 | Photographs studio production |
circa 1947-1985 |
| 2 | 14 | Photographs of transmitter tower and equipment |
1947-1973 |
| 2 | 15 | Digital reproductions of photographs, memorabilia, and radio shows |
circa 1937-1990 |
| 4 | 1 | Scrapbook with clippings, correspondence, and photographs |
1940-1956 |
Series 3: Other radio and television stations, circa 1960-1984Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 2 | 16 | Photographs of instructional televsion |
circa 1960-1965 |
| 3 | 1 | Photographs of KOAP TV art, science, and math instructors |
circa 1960-1970 |
| 3 | 2 | Photographs of TV program, "Geri and Friends" |
circa 1967 |
| 3 | 4 | Scripts of radio editorials by Ray Johnson, manager of KMED |
1967-1984 |
| 4 | 4-7 | Wire copies of radio news scripts concerning assassination and funeral of John F. Kennedy |
1963 |
