While this is the first time Special Collections has been approached by The Weather Channel for footage, they receive multiple requests each year, said Nat DeBruin, head archivist for Marshall University Archives and Special Collections.
“Based on the producer’s requirements, we locate the appropriate clips and send low-resolution copies to see if they meet the needs of the producers. If they do, we provide the high-resolution, broadcast quality digital footage that they require. We have provided footage for the History Channel’s Modern Marvels episode on the Silver Bridge Collapse, WGBH (PBS) episode on the American Experience titled The Polio Crusade. We also provided footage for the two motion pictures related to the 1970 plane crash, Ashes to Glory and We Are Marshall.”
Marshall University Libraries received the WSAZ-3 News archive July 13, 1976, through a collaboration between Don Ray, Station Manager for WSAZ-3 and Dr. Kenneth Slack, Director of Libraries for Marshall University. The collection dates back to 1952 and includes 16mm film and various formats of videotape, as well as accompanying scripts used by on-air anchors during broadcasts.
In addition, Special Collections has also have provided still images to authors, both locally and nationally, for use in publications, DeBruin said.
“We receive requests for photographic images related to Marshall, Huntington and the surrounding area. We currently have over 6,000 images digitized in our searchable on-line database. We also receive requests for transcribed copies of our oral history collection. There is still a lot of interest in the Marshall plane crash of 1970. Especially in November as the memorial ceremony approaches, we see a large number of requests related to the crash.”
The materials in Marshall University’s Special Collections are available to the entire Marshall community of students, faculty and staff. The collections are also open to the public; however, fees may be required for duplication of images or collections.
“We have a wealth of materials related to the history of the university, the City of Huntington, and the Tri-State area,” DeBruin said. “We assist people from the university, the local area, and researchers from around the world and we would like to encourage everyone with an interest in history to visit us in person or through our website at http://www.marshall.edu/special-collectionss.