Posted by chicagomedia.org on May 15, 2008 at 10:48:31:
BY ROBERT FEDER Sun-Times Columnist
A genuine piece of Chicago broadcast history can be yours for the right price.
When WBBM-Channel 2 moves this summer to its new headquarters at 108 N. State (better known as Block 37), everything that's left at the CBS-owned station's historic old site at 630 N. McClurg Ct. will be put up for auction Aug. 2.
From props to backdrops and from lights to logos, all will be on the block to benefit the Museum of Broadcast Communications.
Bidding will be conducted in person and online. A preview will be held Aug. 1.
"This is the last hurrah for a great broadcast palace," said Bruce DuMont, founder and president of the museum.
Opened in 1922 as the Chicago Riding Club, the building was known as the Chicago Arena when it was purchased by CBS for $1.27 million in 1954.
In addition to housing Channel 2 and its radio counterparts, the cavern on McClurg was the site of the first televised presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon in 1960.
It also served as production home for such national shows as "Donahue" and "Siskel & Ebert."
"This will give the public an opportunity to walk back into perhaps the most historic studio in Chicago and look at some of the memorabilia amassed over 50-plus years," DuMont said.
The idea for the auction was credited to Joe Ahern, president and general manager of Channel 2, who's on the museum board.
Additional information will be available on the Web site of Chicago auctioneers Rick Levin & Associates at ricklevin.com.