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Archives of
The Pacifica Foundation
Processed by: Mary Amanda York
November 1993
13.5 lin. ft.
Administrative History | Scope and Content | Provenance | Series Descriptions
Pacifica has a unique status in broadcasting history not only for being the first listener-supported radio station, but also for breaking ground in freedom of speech issues, and for taking the risk of providing controversial programming and points of view.
Pacifica was founded in March 1946 by Lewis Hill, Eleanor McKinney, and a small group of followers. These people believed there was a need for non-commercial, educational, cultural radio in the San Francisco Bay area, and they were frustrated with commercial radio with what they perceived as its narrow scope and rushed delivery. Nearly three years after its incorporation date, Pacifica's first station, Berkeley's KPFA, went on the air
KPFA received very strong support from the outset and the need for funds was greatly reduced when Pacifica was granted a tax exemption on the basis of being an educational institution. KPFA was the first listener-supported radio enterprise. The goal behind this revolutionary concept was to serve as a grass roots forum; to support diversity, freedom of speech, to be funded by listeners and to program according to their interests and needs, not those of a corporate sponsor. Some examples included letting programs be as long or short as would be appropriate for their subject (without cutting them off to fit tight commercial schedules) and the use of informal speech.
Much of the idealism that was so identified with Pacifica was a result of influence of Lewis Hill, the prime mover of the organization. Hill was a pacifist who above all else, felt that communication could form bonds among people and address the quality of the spirit. Hill believed that open controversy on science, religion, and other subjects were a natural and necessary part of learning. As a result, Pacifica encouraged the broadcasting of differing points of view.
Over the years, this dedication to freedom of expression created conflicts not only with the Federal Communications Comissions (FCC), but with the Senate (1963 investigation concerning suspected Communist infiltration) and the FBI as well. Despite the investigations and complaints, Pacifica stations did not lose their licenses and in fact, set precedents for freedom of speech in broadcasting which today's stations enjoy ever since.
Between 1952 and 1954, friction between the founding group's goals and newer staff ideals led to the temporary resignation of Hill in 1952 and his return in 1954 after the new management began to struggle. Pacifica was dealt a tragic blow however, when Hill subsequently committed suicide in 1957. Despite Hill's death, Pacifica never lost sight of Hill's vision and eventually Pacifica expanded into other communities; KPFK in Los Angeles (1959), WBAI in Baltimore (1960), KPFT in Houston (1970), and WPFW in Washington, D.C. (1977). Each of these stations, like KPFA, has since learned, with some struggle, how address their audiences thoughtfully and to overcome resistance found in sections of their communities
The Archives of the Pacifica Foundation cover the years 1946-1991 with the bulk of the material between 1950 and 1980. The materials in the collection trace the founding of Pacifica and the development of the listener-supported system for radio. Of special interest are the FCC, FBI, and Senate investigations of Pacifica, dealing mainly with freedom of speech. Also of note is the correspondence of founder and public radio visionary, Lewis Hill. Types of documents include correspondence, memos, board minutes, statistics, news clippings, Pacifica program guides, program transcripts, and legal forms.
This collection consists of twelve series:
- Series 1 : Basic Papers
- Series 2 : Minutes and Related Material
- Series 3 : Administrative
- Series 4 : General Correspondence
- Series 5 : Personnel
- Series 6 : Business/Financial
- Series 7 : Programming
- Series 8 : Publications
- Series 9 : Mimeo Literature
- Series 10 : United States Government
- Series 11 : News Clippings
- Series 12 : Notecards
The Archives of the Pacifica Foundation were donated to the National Public Broadcasting Archives, University of Maryland Libraries by Vera Hopkins in February and May of 1991 and by Adi Gevins in May of 1992.
Series 1 : Basic Papers, 1947-1978 (0.1 lin. ft.)
This series includes articles of incorporation, by-laws, tax exemption applications, and real estate related papers. Aside from the core Pacifica material, the by-laws of the Friends of KPFK, a separate support group, are also in this series. The name of this series was derived from the 1975 filing code. The files are arranged alphabetically, with the documents in each file chronologically. They include corresondence, government forms, and legal forms such as property purchase contracts and use permit applications.
Series 2 : Minutes and Related Material, 1946-1991, n.d. (1.5 lin. ft.)
This series consists of minutes of the national board of directors (also known as the committee of directors and board of directors,) the executive membership, administrative council, and local station boards. Material related to the minutes includes board members lists, reports from stations and from presidents and managers, resolutions submitted for consideration, and some supplementary corresondence. National board material comprises the bulk of this series. The local board material refers mainly to Pacifica's California stations, KPFA and KPFK. These board files are arranged from national board, executive board, administrative council to local station boards. They are arranged chronologically within each board group.
Series 3 : Administrative, 1949-1977, n.d. (0.1. lin. ft.)
Policy concerning a variety of administrative areas such as bank loans, FCC correspondence, station identification, programming, payola, and minute taking at meetings are covered in this series. Also included are contracts and correspondence describing Pacifica's relationship with the Fresno Free College, a special affiliate. The files are arranged alphabetically, and chronologically within each file. They consist mostly of internal memos and correspondence.
Series 4 : General Correspondence, 1947-1985, n.d. (0.5 lin. ft.)
This series contains memoes and correspondence concerning various subjects, such as fundraising, personnel issues, plans for special events, archives, and more. Of special note are letters to and from Lewis Hill, referring to Pacifica's founding and to Hill's own resignation in 1952. Lists of awards received as well as some information about Pacifica's annual music competition are also included. The materials are arranged chronologically.
Series 5 : Personnel, 1953-1986, n.d. (0.25 lin. ft.)
Subjects in this series include job descriptions and applications, staff lists, strikes, union agreements and proposals, and letters concerning resignations, hirings, and firings. This material is arranged alphabetically by file name, and chronologically within each file, and does include undated items. It consists mainly of memos, correspondence and contracts.
Series 6 : Business/Financial, 1947-1975 (0.1. lin ft.)
This series, made up by memos and correspondence, contains information concerning grants, bequests, loans, stocks and taxes. The material is arranged alphabetically by file name, and chronologically within each file. Information on subscription and donation matters can be found in the subscription subseries of the publications series.
Series 7 : Programming, 1949-1990, n.d. (1.5 lin. ft.)
The bulk of this series consists of letters from KPFA listeners, which give general comments and specific programming complaints, praise and requests. Letters from Marion Wylie are filed seperately because she was a regular and frequent writer, whose epistles appear to have been routinely posted on the Pacifica billboard. Letters from prisoners in the listening area requesting free subscriptions can also be found in this series. Apart from listener mail, there are memos and correspondence covering topics such as the Ku Klux Klan's right to broadcast, the recording of contemporary philosophers, and opposition to the airing of popular rather than classical music. Some programming schedules are also included. This series also contains transcripts of programs, some of which caused FCC problems for Pacifica. The material in this series is arranged alphabetically by file name and chronologically within each file.
Series 8 : Publications, 1949-1991, n.d. (2.0. lin. ft.)
This series covers the Pacifica Tape Library (catalogs, correspondence, offer sheets, subject guides), publicity such as brochures, press releases, and KPFA intra-station newsletters. Approximately one half of this series is comprised of the subscriptions subseries, which includes copies of and clippings from the subscribers' program guide (Folio), plus memos, correspondence, and station statistics. Because of Pacifica's pioneering role in listener supported radio, the history of their subscription system is of special note. The material in this section is arranged alphabetically by file group and chronologically within each group.
Series 9 : Mimeo Literature, 1946-1989, n.d. (0.5 lin. ft.)
Topics include the investigation by the Senate Internal Security Subcommittee, the early founding days of Pacifica, obscenity charges and freedom of speech, the first mention of National Public Radio , and personal views and recollections of Pacifica. The information in this series provides a good introduction to the history of Pacifica. It is composed of dissertations, papers, chronologies, and brief narrative histories. It is arranged alphabetically by file name and chronologically within the files.
Series 10 : United States Government, 1953-1989, n.d (0.25 lin. ft.)
This series includes documents relating to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Communications Commission, and the U.S. Senate. The FBI files are notes which describe the contents of the files kept on Pacifica by the FBI. The FCC materials include broadcast applications, permits, correspondence, rules and regulations, and some complaints filed. Evidence of the relationship between Pacifica and the FCC can also be found throughout this collection, in such series as general correspondence, news clippings, etc. The Senate file is concerned with government regulations and freedom of speech in broadcasting. These files are arranged alphabetically by name and chronologically within files. They consists mainly of memos and correspondence, notes, and hearing transcripts. In the 1975 filing code, the files for these three government institutions were kept seperately, but have been combined here for research access.
Series 11 : News Clippings, 1949-1981, n.d. (0.25 lin. ft.)
Topics covered include programming, FCC problems, Lewis Hill's resignation, awards received, and debates on the success of listener supported radio. This material has been gathered from newspapers, magazines, and other sources, and is arranged chronologically.
Series 12 : Notecards, 1946-1987 (1.0 lin. ft.)
This series was created as a quick reference source for information relating to staff members, main points and quotes from board meetings, programs, and Pacifica's history in general. The history group includes a card which speculates on the cause of Lewis Hill's suicide, a question not specifically adressed elsewhere in this collection. The cards in this series are arranged alphabetically, except for the board minute and history groups, which are arranged chronologically.
A complete guide in Adobe Acrobat (*.pdf) format can be found here.
