Paley Center for Media facts for kids
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The Paley Center for Media entrance
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| Former name |
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| Established | 1975 |
| Location | 25 West 52 Street, Midtown Manhattan, New York City |
| Type | Media Museum |
| Founder | William S. Paley |
The Paley Center for Media is a special place in New York City that helps us understand the importance of television, radio, and new digital media. It was started in 1975 by William S. Paley, who loved broadcasting.
This center used to be called the Museum of Television & Radio. In 2007, its name changed to include newer technologies like the Internet, mobile video, and podcasting. It's a place where people can learn about how media affects our lives.
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Paley Center Locations
The Paley Center has had locations in two major cities.
New York City Center
The main Paley Center is in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It's at 25 West 52nd Street. This location first opened in 1976 as the Museum of Broadcasting. It was founded with a big gift from William S. Paley.
In 1991, the museum moved to a new building. This building was designed by a famous architect named Philip Johnson. It was later renamed the Paley Center for Media in 2007.
Inside the New York museum, you'll find:
- A ticket and information area.
- The Steven Spielberg Gallery, which hosts cool exhibitions.
- A large theater for screenings.
- Computers where visitors can search and watch shows from the center's huge collection.
Los Angeles Center
In 1996, the Paley Center opened a branch in Los Angeles. This building was in Beverly Hills and was designed by Richard Meier. It had its own collection of TV and radio shows, just like the New York location.
The Los Angeles museum had special rooms named after famous people. For example, there was the John H. Mitchell Theatre for screenings. However, the Beverly Hills museum closed in early 2020. Its archives were moved to the Beverly Hills Public Library.
Media Archives
The Paley Center believes that many TV and radio programs are important and should be saved. Instead of collecting old objects, the center focuses on keeping and sharing actual shows.
The Paley Center's library has almost 160,000 television shows, commercials, and radio programs. You can choose and watch these shows at individual viewing stations. Some TV programs date back to the 1940s, and radio programs go back to the 1920s!
The earliest TV show in the collection is a silent film from 1939. It's a play called The Streets of New York. The center doesn't sell these programs. The original copies are kept safe in a special vault. The collection is also being turned into digital files.
The Paley Center has found many "lost" episodes of old TV shows. They also make documentaries about the history of TV and radio. Sometimes, they even show new TV shows before they officially air!
New shows are added to the collection all the time. Sometimes, they are found in old archives or donated by people. For example, in 2002, the museum found a rehearsal film of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella from 1957. This was a big discovery!
The center is also famous for finding many episodes of old daytime game shows. Shows like High Rollers, Celebrity Sweepstakes, and Wheel of Fortune are available to watch.
Programs and Events
The Paley Center often holds seminars and interviews with public figures. These events are recorded, so you can watch them later at the center. Many famous actors, writers, and TV creators have participated.
Some of the people who have been part of these events include Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Alan Alda, and the creators of shows like Seinfeld and The Simpsons.
PaleyFest Television Festival
The William S. Paley Television Festival, also known as PaleyFest, is a popular annual event. It's hosted by the Paley Center in Los Angeles. Started in 1984, this festival brings together the casts and creative teams from popular TV shows.
At PaleyFest, these TV stars and creators answer questions from a moderator and the audience. They often share special content from their shows. The festival has been held in many different venues over the years, including the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
See also
In Spanish: Paley Center for Media para niños
