The call letters WPLN serve as an homage to the station's first home in studios set up in the Richland Park branch of the Public Library of Nashville (get it?). The station was originally licensed to the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County as a unit of the public library. With a transmitter and antenna on Love Circle, the station operated for only 14 hours each weekday at 15,000 watts. Three years later, the station moved to the main Ben West library downtown where it remained for more than 30 years.
WPLN studios in the Ben West library basement circa 1966
In the mid-1990s, WPLN separated from Metro Nashville and became an independent station. Shortly after that, work began on a brand new studio on Mainstream Drive in Metro Centre. The switch was flipped on May 24, 1998, and the newest era of public radio began in Nashville as the station began broadcasting from its current location.
Today, WPLN has repeater stations that allow its broadcasts to reach further into Middle Tennessee. World news and talk WPLN 1430 AM began in 2002, HD services began in 2006, and the station recently began operating WFCL 91.1 FM with 24/7 classical music and arts programming.
WPLN's state-of-the-art studios today
As a founding member of National Public Radio, WPLN has had a strong presence in Nashville for 50 years. With a strategy of in-depth reporting, quality programming and community involvement, the station and all of its entities will undoubtedly be a Nashville icon for a long time.
You can help WPLN celebrate this milestone at an open house this afternoon from 4-6 pm at the studio located at 630 Mainstream Drive. Everyone is welcome.
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