In the New York City Municipal Archives WNYC Sound Collection, we hear the voices of presidents, dignitaries, world leaders, artistic revolutionaries, musical geniuses, luminaries of the literati, and cultural icons. The sounds of a city and a nation are captured through nearly a century of transformations, tribulations, and triumphs. WNYC microphones were present when Admiral Byrd returned from his historic flight over the North Pole in 1926 and when Colonel Charles Lindbergh returned from his solo flight to Paris the following year. Perhaps best known are New York City Mayor F. H. La Guardia's weekly Talk to the People broadcasts over WNYC throughout World War II.
Any views, findings, conclusions, recommendations expressed in this web resource do not necessarily reflect those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Recently in Municipal Archives
A. E. Hotchner, Marguerite Young, and Arthur Goldberg
Monday, April 18, 1966
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Maurice Dolbier introduces A.E. Hotchner, the author of the biography "Papa Hemingway," a biography and account of his own fourteen year friendship with Ernest Hemingway. Hotchner recounts Hemingway's working style and ...
Caroline Bird, Eric Berne, and Elie Abel
Thursday, April 14, 1966
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Maurice Dolbier introduces Caroline Bird, author of "The Invisible Scar," a work about the Great Depression. She discusses the difficulties of gaining employment during the Depression - particularly, she notes the ...
Abortion: Legal, Medical, and Historical Perspectives
Thursday, April 14, 1966
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Moderator Lee Graham
Opens with quote from a New York Times article calling "New York's 83 year old abortion law cruel and unrealistic in common with the laws ...
Bel Kaufman
Wednesday, March 23, 1966
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Author of "Up the Down Staircase," Bel begins her talk by mentioning that her first work published was a poem she wrote at age 7. She speaks about how she became ...
William P. Bundy
Wednesday, March 16, 1966
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Assistant Secretary of State William P. Bundy describes his recent trip through Southeast Asia. He specifically talks about the threat of Communist China and North Vietnam.
Bundy is asked specifically ...
John Lindsay
Wednesday, March 09, 1966
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Mayor John Lindsay speaks the day after implementing a city tax for residents of the city of New York as well as on commuters who earn their income in the city. ...
Rex Stout, Helen Hayes, and William O. Douglas
Monday, February 14, 1966
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Maurice Dolbier introduces Rex Stout, author of the Nero Wolfe mysteries, the most recent of which was "The Doorbell Rang." The book's plot revolves around the actions of the FBI under ...
Cindy Adams
Wednesday, February 09, 1966
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
From card catalog: Cindy Adams, author of "Sukarno" speaks on that person; Joey Adams also joins his wife in discussion of subject.
McGurn (?) reads some excerpts of ...
Lucy Jarvis and David Merrick
Wednesday, February 02, 1966
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
TV producer Jarvis talks briefly about the challenges of filming the show "Mary Martin: Hello Dolly 'Round the World," including filming privileges, international relations, and poor conditions.
Theater ...
Americans for Democratic Action Roosevelt Day Dinner
Thursday, January 27, 1966
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Theme of the evening: Human resources in an abundant society."
Begins with room noise and chatter. Lindsay (?) introduces head table, welcomes guests. Howard J. Samuels, dinner co-chairman, ...
Seymour Siegel Swearing In
Tuesday, January 25, 1966
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
From card catalog: Swearing in of Seymour N. Siegel, director of WNYC, comments on WNYC, Mike Quill, etc.
Siegel and Lindsay perform the swearing in. Each thanks the ...
David Schoenbrun, Bennett Cerf, and Barbara Tuchman
Sunday, January 16, 1966
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Maurice Dolbier welcomes journalist Janet Flanner, Genet, to the podium to introduce David Schoenbrun, author of the biography "The Three Lives of Charles De Gaulle." Schienbrum pays tribute to the other ...
Transit Strike Report from City Hall
Sunday, January 09, 1966
The actual date of this episode is 1966-01-01. For technical reasons, it shows up incorrectly above.
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
From card catalog: Comments to reporters, progress, regulations for motorists, appeal to employers to use ...
Press Conference on Transit Strike
Saturday, January 08, 1966
The actual date of this episode is 1966-01-03. For technical reasons, it shows up incorrectly above.
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
From card catalog: Review of day; schools open; fare increase. Timothy Costello speaks of the ...
Statement on Transit Strike
Friday, January 07, 1966
The actual date of this episode is 1966-01-01. For technical reasons, it shows up incorrectly above.
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Direct appeal to the people of the city and report of negotiations between the Transport ...
Government Reorganization
Thursday, January 06, 1966
The exact date of this episode is unknown. We've filled in the date above with a placeholder. What we actually have on record is: 1966-01-uu.
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Mayor Lindsay speaks about the special ...
Transit Strike Press Conference
Wednesday, January 05, 1966
The actual date of this episode is 1966-01-03. For technical reasons, it shows up incorrectly above.
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Recording opens with room noise before press conference. Reporter describes the states of affairs - ...
Mayor Lindsay : Transit Strike Helicopter Report
Tuesday, January 04, 1966
The actual date of this episode is 1966-01-03. For technical reasons, it shows up incorrectly above.
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
John Lindsay reports on traffic into the city from a helicopter. He passes over the ...
Press Conference on Transit Strike
Monday, January 03, 1966
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
From card catalog: State of negotiations, appeals to the people of the city.
Mayor Lindsay updates the city, even though there's no update on the transit strike. The ...
Press Conference on Transit Strike
Sunday, January 02, 1966
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
From card catalog: State of city and negotiations. Employees are not to worry about coming to work, schools reopen Tuesday, etc.
Mayor Lindsay gives an update on the ...
