WNAR

From the late 1940’s until the 1980’s people in Norristown got news, advice, and music from WNAR, Norristown’s own radio station.

In the process of cleaning out our gallery for our upcoming exhibit, I found a small booklet from WNAR with photographs and advice.

The booklet is undated, but I would guess it’s from the early 1950’s.  This image of President Truman is from his 1948 presidential campaign.

This picture of Johnnie Ray is probably from the early or mid-1950’s when Ray was one of the most popular singers in the country.

Besides music and news, the station also featured advice on housework, sewing, and gardening.

Much of the booklet is made up of small bits of advice.

The station had three daily shows dedicated to polka music and an “Italian hour” every Sunday.  Western music was also a popular part of the line-up, with titles such as, “Western Round-up” and “Dude Ranch Saddle Pals” on Saturdays.

The station changed format and call letters in the 1980’s.  It now broadcasts Gospel music.  Many of the personalities went on to other stations in Philly and in other parts of the country.

One last note:

Dedicated readers of the blog (that is, both of them) might remember a post we did last June on Old Maid’s Day.  Here’s a picture of some of the organizers of Old Maid’s Day on the air at WNAR.