National Council on Public History

PROPOSAL TYPE

Open to Feedback

SEEKING

• Seeking Additional Presenters

RELATED TOPICS

• Digital
• Material Culture
• Museums
• Oral History
• Public Engagement

ABSTRACT

In 1973, Springfield was only one of four state capitals without a public radio station. WSSR went on the air January 3rd, 1975. The 50,000 watt station brought public broadcasting to 428,000 citizens in the Springfield area. Those involved with the station in 1975 knew that WSSR was revolutionary. Nowhere else in Springfield did community members have greater freedom of speech, greater access to education, or greater opportunity to reach the public. Little did they know that January 3rd marked the beginning of a 50-year legacy. What was previously WSSR became WSSU, then WUIS, and now NPR Illinois. Throughout the station’s history, public radio in Springfield continually listened to the community it served.

DESCRIPTION

Research on Springfield, Illinois’ public radio station culminated in a physical and digital exhibit, an extensively catalogued collection, and a historical society magazine article. I am interested in presenting my research on this topic due to its revolutionary history in Illinois’ media and its connection to contemporary issues in public broadcasting. NPR Illinois’ 50-year history teaches us many lessons about community connection, freedom of speech, and the vital importance of local journalism. Radio That Listens to You increased community support for local public radio and engaged alumni with their own history.

This topic is best suited for a Lightning Round or Roundtable session. I am looking to join a session or collaborate with others to form one. This topic could fit into sessions with a variety of goals, including educating audiences on: media history, local history, applied history, public history, community engagement, collections management, digitization, radio, and journalism.

Research done on Radio That Listens to You exemplifies a public history project that engages communities with relevant issues through historic interpretation.

If you have a direct offer of assistance, sensitive criticism, or wish to pass along someone’s contact information confidentially, please get in contact directly:
Evie Rodenbaugh, Sangamon Experience – University of Illinois Springfield, [email protected]

All feedback and offers of assistance should be sent by  November 15, 2025. If you have general ideas or feedback to share, please feel free to use the comments feature below.

Discussion