MS-291
The Joanna Hill Heitzman Collection
Introduction
The Joanna Hill Heitzman Collection was accessioned into the Piqua Public Library Archives and Special Collections on October 27, 2021 as the result of a donation from the family. The collection focuses on her community service and her career with WPTW Radio. The collection is housed in one Hollinger box containing twenty files and includes photos, letters and four plaques. The most notable of the plaques is the one she received as the first woman president of the Piqua Area Chamber of Commerce. There are no known restrictions on the use of the materials by library patrons.
Scope and Content
The Joanna Hill Heitzman Collection is divided into the following four series:
SERIES I: Photographs – Box 1, Files 1-4.
SERIES II: Letters and other documents – Box 1, Files 5-9.
SERIES III: Newspaper clippings and articles – Box 1, Files 10-16.
SERIES IV: Plaques presented to Joanna Hill – Box 1, Files 17-20.
Container List
SERIES I: Photographs
BOX 1
File 1 [1] A young Joanna Hill in her office at WPTW, Piqua, Ohio – 3 ½” X 4 ¼” b/w.
[2] Joanna Hill interviewing Art Linkletter – 3 ½” X 4 ¼” b/w.
[3] Joanna Hill riding a circus elephant – in Canal Place, Piqua – 3 ½” X 4 ¼” b/w.
[4] Joanna Hill riding a circus elephant – in Canal Place, Piqua – 3 ½” X 4 ¼” b/w.
2 [1-8] Joanna Hill interviewing Bob Jacoby at Jacoby’s Appliance Store – 3 ½” x 5” b/w.
3 [1] Joanna Hill in her office at WPTW, Piqua, Ohio – 3 ½” x 5” color photo.
[2] Photo looking up at the top of the WPTW antenna and the 50,000 watts booster –
3 ½” x 5” color photo.
[3] Joanna Hill interviewing Bob Jacoby at Jacoby’s Appliance Store – 3 ½” x 5” b/w.
4 8” X 10” black/white photograph of Bing Crosby and William B. “Bill” Wood on the
veranda of the Wood’s home, Arowsten, on Park Avenue. The Crosby Family was visiting the Wood Family and Bill Wood conducted an interview with Bing Crosby.
SERIES II: Letters and other documents
File 5 Letter written by Hugh C. Hill to the Top Ten Women Editor, Promotion Department,
Dayton Daily News, 45 S. Ludlow St., Dayton, OH. The intent of the letter is to have Joanna Hill (his wife) included as an outstanding woman in the Miami Valley. The letter is not dated but was written while she was treasurer of the Piqua Chamber of Commerce and before she became Chamber President.
6 Press Release – July 16, 1975 – announcing that Mr. R. E. Hunt had purchased the 50%
interest in WPTW from the estate of the late C. Oscar Baker giving Mr. Hunt sole ownership of WPTW.
7 A typed introduction of Joanna Hill – the event is not determined but it was after Hugh
and Joanna Hill purchased the Davis Gun Shop on South St., Piqua.
8 Letter to Mr. Richard Hunt, dated November 16, 1983, from Gordon L. Wise, Associate
Professor of Marketing and Chairman, Citizens’ Committee for Fire, Ambulance, and Police. The letter praises the work of Joanna Hill in helping to secure a ½% increase in the Piqua City Income Tax.
9 Ohio Association of Broadcasters “Action 80” newsletter, Fall 1980. On page 5 is an
article announcing Joanna Hill’s appointment as Station Manager of WPTW.
BOX 1
SERIES III: Newspaper clippings and articles.
File 10 Article with pictures about the visit of the Bing Crosby family to the Bill Wood family in
Piqua. The article appeared in the Dayton Daily News and was written by Joanna Hill.
11 Article with pictures – “WPTW changes with years” on the 25th birthday of the station.
Pictures include Oscar Baker, Joanna Hill, Jack Michaels, Steve Baker and Don Griffin. The article appeared in the Troy Daily News, November 23, 1972.
12 Three articles in 3 papers about Joanna Hill being named WPTW Station Manager –
Stillwater Valley Advertiser, November 5, 1975; Tipp Herald, November 5, 1975; Piqua Daily Call, November 6, 1975.
13 Two articles and pictures of the WPTW antenna being upgraded to broadcast at 50,000
watts. Troy Daily News, July 27, 1977; the second article is not identified.
14 Partial article from the Miami Valley Sunday Magazine, October 1, 1978 about Joanna
Hill and WPTW.
15 Marilyn Helman article in Piqua Daily Call, July 24, 1980 – “What it’s like as a radio
announcer.”
16 Miami Valley Sunday News, October 2, 1983 about Joanna Hill becoming the first
woman president of the Piqua Chamber of Commerce.
SERIES IV: Plaques presented to Joanna Hill
File 17 Plaque presented to Joanna C. Hill in appreciation for your dedicated and loyal service as
President of the Piqua Area Chamber of Commerce, 1983-84. Joanna Hill was the first woman on the board of the Piqua Area Chamber of Commerce and the first woman to be President of the Piqua Area Chamber of Commerce.
18 Plaque designating Joanna Hill as “Career Woman of the Year, 1982” by the Piqua
Business & Professional Women’s Club.
19 Plaque – “Joanna C. Hill, for dedicated service to the Miami County YMCA as a member
of the Board of Directors, 1980-1986.”
20 Plaque – “Presented to Joanna hill in appreciation for your devoted and faithful service to
the Piquarea United Fund as Director, 1981-1986.”