The Broadcast Archive

🏛️ A Chronological Perspective

Established in 1982, the MBC officially opened its doors in June 1987 within the River City condominium complex at 800 S. Wells St. It operated at this location until June 1992, when it relocated to the prestigious Chicago Cultural Center. Following its departure from the Cultural Center in December 2003, the museum embarked on plans for a dedicated new building at 360 N. State St., intended to open in 2005.

🚧 Development Challenges

The construction of the new MBC facility faced significant delays and setbacks. Construction halted in 2006, and the half-completed building was slated for sale in December 2008, primarily attributed to a lack of promised state funding. Despite these challenges, funding was eventually secured, and construction resumed in 2010, with the State of Illinois providing a capital grant of $6 million to facilitate completion.

✨ The State Street Reopening

The new 62,000-square-foot facility at 360 N. State St. saw its National Radio Hall of Fame gallery open to the public on December 1, 2011. The museum officially reopened its doors on June 13, 2012, precisely 25 years after its initial launch. The pre-opening ceremony featured notable figures from the entertainment and broadcasting industries, including actors John Mahoney and Betty White, and newscaster Hugh Downs.

💾 Preserving Broadcast Heritage

The MBC has actively worked to make its vast collection accessible. In partnership with Cleversafe, the museum aimed to provide online access to its archives. Between 2009 and early 2011, approximately 70,000 registered users and 4.5 million unique visitors accessed the MBC's extensive online video content, demonstrating a strong public interest in broadcast history.

💥 Technical Setbacks

Despite efforts to digitize and provide online access, the museum faced significant technical challenges. A notable incident in 2013, described as a "server crash," resulted in the loss of access to about 10% of the museum's digitized radio and television programming, highlighting the fragility of digital preservation efforts.

🌟 Honoring Radio's Icons

Until October 2017, the second floor of the MBC's State Street location housed the National Radio Hall of Fame (NRHOF) gallery. Affiliated with the MBC since 1991, the NRHOF celebrates significant figures and contributions to the radio industry. Following the closure of the SNL exhibit and subsequent building sales, efforts were made to partially restore the NRHOF gallery.

📉 Financial and Attendance Trends

Following its reopening, the museum experienced a significant drop in attendance, from 225,000 annual visitors at the Cultural Center to approximately 7,300 at its new location with an admission fee. Financial challenges persisted, with reports indicating substantial mortgage debt and operating deficits. The museum also faced operational disruptions, including the aforementioned server crash impacting its digital archive.

🔄 Leadership and Building Sale

The museum has undergone several leadership transitions. Bruce DuMont, the founder, planned to retire, leading to changes in chairmanship and executive directorship. In a significant move, the museum's remaining exhibit space at 360 N. State St. was sold to a developer in April 2023, leading to its temporary closure. The MBC anticipates a future reopening within 18 to 24 months, continuing its mission.

📜 References