October 2003

UM library houses
Chet Huntley papers
Among its many collections, UM’s K. Ross Toole Archives houses the papers of broadcast journalist Chet Huntley, the former co-anchor of NBC’s “The Huntley-Brinkley Report.” The archives are located on the fourth level of UM’s Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library.

Archives staff arranged and described the papers, which include nearly 30 boxes of material by and about Huntley. The collection contains biographical information, personal and professional correspondence, scripts written for his radio and television projects, press clippings, an extensive photographic collection, awards and other memorabilia.

“Huntley was one of Montana’s most prominent native sons,” said Frank D’Andraia, UM dean of library services. “His contributions to TV journalism during its golden age were significant and far reaching. We are proud that UM’s Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library had been selected as the repository of his papers, and we look forward to making them available to current and future scholars, students and citizens.”

A native of Cardwell, Mont., Huntley was born Dec. 10, 1911. He first worked in radio in the Pacific Northwest before settling in Los Angeles, where he was a broadcaster at CBS for 12 years and ABC for four years. NBC finally enticed him to New York in 1955 with talk of a major TV news program.

He was teamed with David Brinkley to co-anchor “The Huntley-Brinkley Report” during 1956-70. At its height the news program was watched by an estimated 20 million viewers.

Huntley retired to Montana, where he helped develop Big Sky Resort. He died March 20, 1974.

For more information, call archivist Donna McCrea at (406) 243-4403 or e-mail her at archives@selway.umt.edu.

University Relations | Cary Shimek, Editor
The University of Montana-Missoula
32 Campus Drive | Missoula, MT 59812
phone (406) 243-2522 | fax (406) 243-4520
© 2004 The University of Montana