About the Archive
WMRN Radio History Archive
The WMRN Radio History Archive is an independent historical preservation project dedicated to documenting and safeguarding the legacy of WMRN (AM 1490) and WMRN-FM in Marion, Ohio.
Founded in 1940, WMRN served north-central Ohio for generations through news, music, sports, and community service. Beyond the call letters and the frequency, WMRN was shaped by the people who worked there—on-air talent, engineers, reporters, producers, office staff, and countless behind-the-scenes contributors whose efforts mattered to their community.
This archive exists to preserve that history respectfully, accurately, and in one place.
Purpose & Scope
Radio history is fragile by nature. Recordings degrade, photographs fade, documents are lost, and personal memories often go unrecorded. The purpose of this archive is to collect, organize, and preserve as much of WMRN’s historical record as possible before those materials disappear.
The scope of the archive includes:
- Station history and timelines
- People and programming
- Facilities, studios, and equipment
- Photographs, documents, recordings, and memorabilia
- Firsthand accounts and recollections offered for historical context
This project is not intended to provide commentary, revision, or editorial judgment on past events. Its focus is preservation—not interpretation.
Independence
The WMRN Radio History Archive is a privately maintained, independent historical project. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the current or former owners of WMRN, WMRN-FM, or their parent companies.
All materials are presented for historical and educational purposes.
Access, Use, and Rights
Materials made available through the WMRN Radio History Archive are provided for research, reference, and educational use.
Some materials may be subject to restrictions based on donor agreements, copyright status, privacy concerns, or preservation requirements. Reproduction, publication, or commercial use of materials may require permission.
For full terms regarding access, use, reproduction, and citation of archival materials, please review the Access & Use Policy.
Contributions & Accuracy
Much of the archive is built from public records, private collections, and contributions from former staff members and community members. While every effort is made to verify information, historical records are sometimes incomplete or contradictory.
Corrections, clarifications, and additional context are always welcome. If you have materials or information that may help improve the accuracy or completeness of the archive, contributions are encouraged.
About the Curator
This archive is curated and maintained by a former WMRN staff member with a personal and professional interest in preserving the station’s history and the people who helped shape it.
The project is guided by respect—for the station, for the individuals involved, and for the role WMRN played in the Marion community.
Contact
For questions, corrections, or contributions, you may reach the archive at:
Disclaimer
The WMRN Radio History Archive is an independent historical preservation project created for educational and archival purposes.
This site is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the current or former owners of WMRN, WMRN-FM, or their parent companies.
All materials and recollections presented here reflect historical records, publicly available information, or the personal memories of contributors. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, historical materials may be incomplete or subject to differing recollections.
No content on this site is intended as commentary, evaluation, or judgment of individuals, organizations, or events.