A Century of Sound
Exhibit Dates
April 20th through May 31st
Visit Our Display at Manitowoc Public Library
707 Quay St, Manitowoc, WI 54220
Event Description:
As a part of the ongoing 100-year celebration at WOMT, a collection of vintage radios can now be seen at the Manitowoc Public Library.
WOMT Radio partnered with local collector Steve Kanter for the WOMT 100 Vintage Radio Showcase.
The collection was also seen at the Hungry for History – 100 Years of WOMT Radio presentation earlier this month.
Kanter’s collection includes a wide array of radio types and styles, and will be available to view through May 31st.
From there, they will be displayed at the Manitowoc County Historical Society, before concluding at the Rahr West Art Museum as part of their annual Christmas at the Mansion showcase.
About the Collector
Steve Kanter began collecting vintage radios in 1993 after visiting a friend who was repairing an antique set. Watching the process sparked an immediate curiosity about early radios and how they were built. Not long afterward, he purchased a 1930 General Electric radio, and from the moment he brought it home, he was hooked.
His interest in antique radios grew naturally out of a lifelong fascination with antiques and historic craftsmanship. Restoring radio cabinets felt like a natural extension of other restoration work he had been doing for years.
For Steve, collecting radios is about far more than simply acquiring objects. From a young age, he has been captivated by history and by the craftsmanship of early industrial artifacts. Each time he restores a radio, he is reminded that he is merely a temporary custodian of a piece of history—one that was designed and built to standards that are often difficult to find in modern consumer electronics.
Sharing this collection as part of WOMT’s 100th anniversary celebration carries special meaning for him. In his previous career in marketing, Steve worked with the team at WOMT to promote Shoreline Hometown Credit Union and developed a strong appreciation for the impact of local radio. He believes deeply in the value of local broadcasting and the role it plays in connecting communities.
Steve considers it an honor to contribute to the station’s centennial celebration and is grateful for the opportunity to share a portion of his collection with the community.