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Provisional reference record — physical object not confirmed in WMRN Radio History Archive custody.
This taxidermy mount, identified in published reporting and statements by WMRN broadcasters as the preserved original Buckeye Chuck, depicts a groundhog posed on a textured, earth-like display base incorporating a simulated burrow opening. A rectangular dark plaque on the front reads “BUCKEYE CHUCK”; a small circular medallion appears on the right. The provided photograph documents the appearance of a mount attributed to this tradition. Formal visual identification and documentation of its present condition remain pending.
Buckeye Chuck is the weather-predicting groundhog associated with WMRN Radio and the Groundhog Day tradition initiated by broadcaster Charlie Evers in Marion, Ohio. The Ohio General Assembly officially recognized Buckeye Chuck in 1979. In an interview, WMRN broadcaster Paul James stated that Evers arranged preservation of the original animal by a local taxidermist; neither the taxidermist’s identity nor the date of preparation has yet been independently verified.
Reporting by Ideastream Public Media documents use of the original taxidermied Buckeye Chuck at the 2023 Groundhog Day celebration when a live groundhog was unavailable. During WMRN’s February 2, 2025 broadcast, the mount was described as fragile and ordinarily kept on display at the station. These sources support its historical role as a physical reminder of WMRN’s longstanding community broadcasting tradition.
Custody notice: The current owner, present location, acquisition method, dimensions, preparation date, maker, and photographic rights have not been confirmed. This is a documentation-only draft and does not claim physical ownership or transfer of the mount to the WMRN Radio History Archive.
Related WMRN records: WMRN-2026-020 (Buckeye Chuck celebration photographs); WMRN-2026-040 (Groundhog Day television coverage, including a Charlie Evers interview); WMRN-2026-050 (Buckeye Chuck promotional buttons).
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2. WMRN / iHeart, “Buckeye Chuck's Groundhog Day Show 2025!” February 2, 2025; statement at approximately 07:54–08:16: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1248-marion-now-moving-our-com-52362194/episode/buckeye-chucks-groundhog-day-show-2025-263610137/ (fragility and WMRN station display).
3. Interview with Paul James, “Buckeye Chuck,” groundhogday.site transcript, publication 2026 (interview refers to planning for 2026), https://groundhogday.site/transcript/Buckeye-Chuck (local taxidermist; Charlie Evers; year unknown; tours and event display).
4. WMRN Radio History Archive, WMRN-2026-040, recording of Groundhog Day broadcast of February 2, 2006: https://wmrnhistory.com/accession/wmrn-2026-040/ (Charlie Evers interview mentions a stuffed groundhog, but identification with this same mount is NOT established).
5. User-supplied historical photograph of a Buckeye Chuck display, reference supplied October 12, 2026; creator/date/rights unknown. Original unaltered source has a Majic 95.9 corner graphic; AI-edited image derivatives must be identified separately.
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Record Metadata
- Accession number
- WMRN-2026-085
- Title
- Original Buckeye Chuck — Historic Taxidermy Mount (Provisional Reference Record)
- Date
- October 12, 2026
- Station association
- WMRN
- Collection
- Charlie Evers Collection
- Rights
- See archive access and use policy.
- Historical context
- Provisional reference record — physical object not confirmed in WMRN Radio History Archive custody.This taxidermy mount, identified in published reporting and statements by WMRN broadcasters as the preserved original Buckeye Chuck, depicts a groundhog posed on a textured,...