Hello, Members and Friends of WHRO!

WHRO recently opened a studio/office in Williamsburg.  This is the realization of a longtime vision:  we want to make it easy for every community in our coverage area to become a real part of the public broadcasting family. But with our main office located in Norfolk, that hasn’t always been convenient or easy for those who live in the Williamsburg and Middle Peninsula regions.  Now that we’re on “the other side of the pond,” we’ll be able to become a much more integral part of these dynamic communities – and there’ll be lots of events and even volunteer activities in our new office as we move forward.

Another benefit of our new location has to do with programming: regular viewers and listeners know that WHRO and WHRV have long had a strong commitment to finding and telling stories of interest to people throughout our area. Virginia’s historic triangle offers almost limitless rich cultural, educational and historical opportunities for fascinating features, so we plan to partner with regional groups to develop interesting programming that we can share with a much broader audience. 

Just as importantly, WHRO’s satellite studio/office is the first step in our efforts to improve our sometimes inconsistent radio signal throughout the Williamsburg and the Middle Peninsula regions. We want everyone to be able to hear us loud and clear in no matter where they are in southeastern Virginia.  

Sharing the page with this column are photos of a reception we held in June, when our logo was installed on the building at 1408 Richmond Road.  We’ve been gratified by the response we’ve had from our friends in Williamsburg since those four letters went up.  Here are just a few of their comments:

“Welcoming a vital, thriving organization to Williamsburg is always good news, but I am especially excited to welcome WHRO to the city.” 
--  Hon. Jeanne Zeidler, Mayor, City of Williamsburg

 “WHRO is an invaluable cultural and educational resource for the Williamsburg area.  The new satellite studio and office here will strengthen the already substantial links between WHRO and this community. It is a wise and welcome move.”  
-- Colin Campbell, President, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

 “WHRO builds background knowledge in our public schools through video streaming. It is one thing to talk about Roosevelt asking the Congress to declare war. It’s a different thing … to see him deliver that address … It takes these kids to places they could not otherwise go.”
-- Dr. Gary S. Mathews, Superintendent, Williamsburg-James City County Schools

We’re looking forward to making even more new friends in the Williamsburg and Middle Peninsula areas.  It’s a beautiful day in our new neighborhood!



Bert Schmidt

Bert can be contacted at bert.schmidt@whro.org or 757.889.9410