Oral Histories

The National Press Club Archives holds two large collections of oral history interviews done by the National Press Club Oral History Committee and by the Washington Press Club Foundation. Some oral histories include audio or video, while others have both. Most of the oral histories conducted by the National Press Club do not have transcripts. All of the oral histories conducted by the Washington Press Club Foundation have transcripts.

Researchers are encouraged to make an appointment with the Archivist to listen or view any tapes or transcripts. For a complete list of oral histories please consult the links below. Note that some oral histories are closed to the public and we are not authorized to duplicate or release any closed materials.

National Press Club Oral Histories


The Oral History Committee of the National Press Club began its oral history project in 1991. The oral histories were conducted in several ways, by individual sessions, as part of a group, or at events such as the 90th Anniversary Celebration. Interviewees include long time members of the National Press Club, former National Press Club Presidents, current and former staff, Fourth Estate Award winners, and prominent members of the Club. The Oral History Committee is seeking funding to transcribe its oral histories. Below are a few oral histories that have been transcribed and authorized for distribution over the internet. For more information about the National Press Club Oral History Collection or for more transcripts please click here to contact us.

Click here for a list of NPC Oral Histories.

Among the oral histories available are:

Washington Press Club Foundation Oral Histories


The Washington Press Club Foundation started its oral history project in the late 1980s and concluded the project in 1997. The project includes comprehensive, full-life interviews with women journalists who have contributed to the journalism community since the 1920s. There are nearly sixty interviews that give insight into the experiences of women seeking acceptance in journalism. In 1998 the "Women in Journalism" project won the Forrest C. Pogue Award for outstanding and continuing contributions to oral history.

Click Here for a complete listing of the WPCF oral histories, including transcripts.
For more information about the Washington Press Club Foundation and its oral history project email Suzanne Pierrone.