History

WHRO first broadcast as Home Room One as a way to use television to assist with teaching in the classroom, and education is still at the heart of all we do.

WHRO History Timeline

1957 – Teaching by Television Begins
With support from the Ford Foundation and production time donated by WVEC-TV, Norfolk Public Schools launched one of the nation’s earliest experiments in teaching by television--HomeRoom One. This innovation marked the start of WHRO’s journey to bring education into homes and classrooms.

1961 – Virginia’s First Non-Commercial TV Station
Thanks to the leadership of Vince Thomas and Hunter Andrews, the FCC awarded Norfolk and Hampton school systems a license to operate Virginia’s first non-commercial, educational television station—an agreement sealed with a handshake.

1968 – Regional Collaboration Forms HRETA
As instructional programming expanded to cities and counties across Hampton Roads, local school systems came together to form the Hampton Roads Educational Telecommunications Association, Inc. (HRETA), a nonprofit dedicated to governing and supporting WHRO. The first school divisions forming this partnership included:

• Newport News
• Chesapeake
• Portsmouth
• Suffolk/Nansemond
• Virginia Beach
• York and Isle of Wight

1972 – National Recognition
WHRO’s instructional programming gained national attention and earned the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award, recognizing its outstanding service to broadcasting.

1975 – Public Radio Arrives in Hampton Roads
The Virginia Cultural Foundation transferred the license of 89.5 FM to HRETA, and WHRO launched public radio. Its success paved the way for additional stations in the years ahead.

1991 – Two Stations, Two Voices
WHRO expanded to a second radio station. The original 89.5 FM became WHRV, dedicated to news and talk, while 90.3 FM carried the WHRO call letters with a focus on classical music.

1994–1995 – A Digital Pioneer
WHRO began preparing for the shift from analog to digital broadcasting and became one of the first stations in the nation to fully adopt the new standard. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting soon recognized WHRO as a model public telecommunications organization.

1996 – HearSay with Cathy Lewis
The debut of HearSay brought a fresh daily call-in program to WHRV. Hosted by Cathy Lewis, it became one of WHRO’s most beloved and enduring shows, running for 25 years.

2007 – New CEO & The Virginian-Pilot Spelling Bee
Bert Schmidt joined WHRO as President and CEO. In partnership with Landmark Communications, WHRO began producing and televising The Virginian-Pilot Spelling Bee. This annual competition continued for nearly two decades and remains a favorite community event.

2009 – Another View with Barbara Hamm Lee
Veteran journalist Barbara Hamm Lee launched Another View, a television program highlighting issues relevant to Hampton Roads’ African American community. It became a trusted space for dialogue and storytelling, later transitioning to radio.

2011 – Expanding Radio and Educational Innovation
WHRO also expanded its public radio service into Gloucester, Emporia, and the Eastern Shore. That same year, WHRO was honored with two NETA awards for innovative use of digital technology in education.

2012 – Supporting Hampton Roads Pride
WHRO became the official media sponsor of Hampton Roads Pride, reinforcing its commitment to supporting and celebrating the region’s diverse communities.

2017 – Batten Environmental Initiative
Thanks to a generous donation by local philanthropist Jane Batten, WHRO launched the Batten Environmental Initiative to foster environmental education and awareness, engaging students and the community in pressing ecological issues.

2018 – Catch the King
WHRO participated in Catch the King, the world’s largest flood-mapping event and a Guinness World Record–winning citizen science project. Students and community members collected real-time data on sea level rise, linking science directly to local impact.

2019 – Creativity and Celebration
Writer’s Block debuted, giving local authors and singer-songwriters a platform to share their work—a blend of The Moth Hour and Acoustic Highway. WHRO also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the moon landing with Moon Memories, inviting listeners to share where they were when Neil Armstrong first walked on the moon. Additionally, West Point and Surry public school divisions joined HRETA.

2020 – Pivoting During the Pandemic
As the COVID-19 pandemic closed schools, WHRO rapidly adapted, offering extensive virtual education resources to support students, teachers, and families during a challenging time.

2021 – Honoring Leaders, Expanding Reach
In recognition of its roots, WHRO renamed its Leadership Circle to the Hunter B. Andrews Society, honoring the co-founder of WHRO-TV. The same year, WHRO launched Time Machine Radio, and expanded coverage across Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Chesapeake on 88.7 and 99.3 FM. In addition, WHRO Journalism was founded, creating a local newsroom that has grown steadily ever since.

2025 – TowneBank Spelling Bee & The Story Exchange
TowneBank became the sponsor of the annual spelling bee, now the TowneBank Spelling Bee. With this new partnership, WHRO ensures this beloved regional competition continues to inspire and challenge students for years to come. WHRO also debuted The Story Exchange, a Moth Hour-style series created by the WHRO Next Gen Collective Board. This engaging series invites community members to share personal stories inspired by themes that shape our shared experience.

Today, WHRO is owned by 21 public school systems in Hampton Roads, including Accomack, Chesapeake, Franklin, Gloucester, Hampton, Isle of Wight, Mathews, Middlesex, Newport News, Norfolk, Northampton, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Southampton, Suffolk, Surry, Sussex, Virginia Beach, West Point, Williamsburg-James City County and York.

Since its founding more than 60 years ago, WHRO has been committed to excellence in public media. Explore WHRO's continuing legacy.