Wheeling Steel Radio Program, Sound Recordings and Records
Collection
Collection Number: A&M 3470
"It's Wheeling Steel!" was a radio program developed by John L. Grimes, advertising executive for the Wheeling Steel Corporation, that ran from 1936 to 1944 and featured only Wheeling Steel employees or members of their immediate families as performers and producers. Records include photographs and film, two pamphlets, and one bound volume and are largely from 1939, though some undated photographs may be from the late 1930s or early 1940s.
Most of the photographs are from the program staff and performers' visit to the 1939 Worlds' Fair in New York. Subjects include John L. Grimes meeting with advertising and Mutual Broadcast Company executives and program performers, including Dorothy Ann Crowe, Lew Davies, Roy Wilson, the Steel Sisters, and British actress Anna Neagle. Also includes photographs of rehearsals and program production at the Capitol Theatre in Wheeling and of Wheeling's Elm Grove neighborhood in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Note that all photographs have remained in their original order, according to reel of film, and that negatives for most of the reels are included with the photographs.
Printed materials consist of a 1939 issue of Radio Daily with a blurb about Grimes and a signed "WWVA Radio Souvenir of the 1936 Wheeling Flood" pamphlet. The published volume, Testimonial Letters to Wheeling's Musical Steelmakers, September 12, 1939, is a compilation of letters of appreciation and congratulations sent to J. L. Grimes on "Musical Steelmakers' Day" in 1939.
Addendum of 2012/11/29 contains sheet music written by Leo Bonenberger for the Wheeling Steel Program, with a short letter (2010 and undated, 1 folder).
Addendum of 2019/01/10 contains digitized material documenting the Wheeling Steel Radio Program, including 35 photographs and 2 program schedules (ca. 1936-1944, 37 digital files).
Sample sound files from the radio program (see Instances for links to the digitized versions of these sound files):
"It's Wheeling Steel" program introduction with Red Label advertisement, 1:51 seconds.
"Insist Upon Red Label" and "Look for Red Label" advertisements, 16 and 27 seconds respectively.
Lamont O'Brien's trumpet impression of "Dinah", 2:37 seconds.
"By The Light of the Silvery Moon", 2:39 seconds.
No special access restriction applies.
Researchers may access digitized and born digital materials by visiting the link attached to each item or by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department at https://westvirginia.libanswers.com/wvrhc.
Reel to reel tape copies of original transcription discs for the "It's Wheeling Steel!" radio program and additional audio materials.
Same content as reel 6A.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
In adition to the original audio, a summary transcription of this audio is available.
[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Wheeling Steel Radio Program, Sound Recordings and Records, A&M 3470, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.
[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Wheeling Steel Radio Program, Sound Recordings and Records, A&M 3470, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia. https://archives.lib.wvu.edu/repositories/2/resources/1847 Accessed April 10, 2025.