The papers are comprised chiefly of correspondence, radio scripts, and recordings, with some biographical material, copies of speeches, and visual materials.

The BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIAL AND MEMORABILIA consists of clippings of newspaper and magazine articles and NBC press releases about Huntley, as well as cartoons and other miscellany dealing with Huntley-Brinkley Report. Several of the cartoons utilize their well-known “Good night, Chet...Good night, David” closing.

CORRESPONDENCE, which is sorted to the month level, divides into three parts. The first section, mainly covering the years 1958 and 1959, consists of viewer mail written to Huntley about his various television programs. While the majority of the letters concern Outlook, there are some responses to Huntley-Brinkley and NBC Kaleidoscope broadcasts. This part of the correspondence, which has been weeded to remove routine letters, presents a cross-section of American attitudes on such issues as education, foreign policy, and race relations. Three Outlook programs generated an unusually large response: an interview with Kimmie Tojo (aired September 7, 1958); “The Second Agony of Atlanta,” which dealt with desegregation in the South; and “Too Late for Reason,” which concerned the emerging African nations. Other events of note were Israel's tenth anniversary, the 1958 reciprocal trade agreements, and Khrushchev's visit to the United States in 1959. In addition, many people commented on commercials, network affiliation, propriety in newscasting, and other aspects of television.

The second portion covers the years 1967 and 1968 and is basically composed of professional correspondence. Included are letters regarding speaking engagements, explanations of why certain news stories were included or omitted from broadcasts, solicitations for funds, and suggestions for future broadcasts (filed as “future file”). Most noteworthy here is the correspondence dealing with the 1967 AFTRA strike during which Huntley crossed picket lines in order to stay on the air. The third part begins in November 1968 and continues through 1970; this segment is again fan mail, with some professional correspondence included. The one event of this period which elicited the most comment was Huntley's retirement, but other subjects treated include the Vietnam conflict, student riots and racial violence, U.S. exploration of the moon, and Huntley's autobiography, The Generous Years (1968).

Outgoing correspondence consists of scattered personal letters and two form letters prepared for issues which generated heavy viewer response.

Prominent Correspondents

SCRIPTS AND RECORDINGS are arranged alphabetically by title and chronologically thereunder. With the exception of his farewell remarks broadcast on the Huntley-Brinkley Report, the holdings relate entirely to radio. The two series for which coverage is most complete are his daily-five-minute editorials: Perspective on the News and Emphasis: Plain Talk. The tape recordings consist of editorials prepared under the auspices of Horizon Communications Corporation following his retirement from NBC. Huntley-Brinkley Report and Outlook are well represented by scripts and recordings in the NBC Records (U.S. Mss 17AF).

VISUAL MATERIALS consist of a pencil cartoon drawing, 1970, depicting Chet Huntley leading a donkey or pack mule west, presumably from New York City. Huntley is shown saying, “G'bye David.” An unseen David Brinkley says, “G'bye Chet.” Underneath is the text “… and us tube watchers wish you the best.” The drawing is unsigned.