DALLAS (WBAP & KLIF News) — The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza and WBAP 820 AM are pleased to announce the donation of 21 original recordings of the events and coverage on WBAP Radio leading up to, including and following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963 to the Museum’s collections.
These original “day-of” recordings are key materials documenting how this historic news event was reported to local audiences in 1963.
“The Museum is committed to preserving not only artifacts and documentation about the assassination itself, but also about the cultural legacy of that pivotal event in history,” said Nicola Longford, executive director of The Sixth Floor Museum. “We are especially excited for this generous donation because it shows the vivid local perspective of this tragic day.”
The WBAP 820 AM JFK Assassination Coverage Collection donation was spearheaded by longtime WBAP Operations Manager Tyler Cox, in the interest of preserving history. The recordings will be officially transferred to the Museum on Monday, November 21 at 10:30 a.m.
“The preservation of these original recordings has long been a goal of ours at WBAP,” Cox said. “The Sixth Floor Museum is the logical place for this audio glimpse of life in Dallas/Fort Worth on this fateful day to be preserved, and we’re pleased to make this donation to the Museum.”
WBAP’s coverage on November 22, 1963, began with reporting from the Hotel Texas in Fort Worth, including a full broadcast of the president’s remarks from the hotel’s parking lot. It then followed President Kennedy’s entire morning in Fort Worth, including his remarks at the Chamber of Commerce breakfast, demonstrating the excitement and fanfare of the president’s visit to Texas.
In Dallas, WBAP’s coverage began with the president’s arrival at Love Field and led up to a breathless report from WBAP reporter Bob Welch, who, as he raced behind the presidential caravan to Parkland Memorial Hospital, provided the most immediate coverage following the assassination that is known to exist.
“It’s not known for sure, but it’s believed that President Kennedy has been shot,” he reported.
“These recordings are a remarkable encapsulation of one of the most significant days in history: one that began with excitement and ‘electricity in the air’ and ended with tragedy and global mourning,” said Longford. “With this incredible donation from our partners at WBAP, we will be able to share them with audiences for many generations to come.”
