The M*A*S*H Historian 2nd Anniversary

It is hard to believe that I started The M*A*S*H Historian two years ago today (and it is even harder to believe I didn’t acknowledge the first anniversary last year)! In 2021, I wanted to engage with the M*A*S*H community in a new way. Up to that point, I had been enjoying the M*A*S*H Matters podcast, interacting with fellow fans on Twitter, following fan sites, and building the M*A*S*H collection. When I bought a set of scripts in 2007, I never imagined it would grow into what it has today. Nor did I think I would use the collection to write fun posts to share with the community. Now, two years after I posted for the first time, this is my 113th post on the site! A lot has happened since November 2021, so let’s look back over the last two years of The M*A*S*H Historian!

When I first began the site, I had to decide if I wanted to write posts or create videos, what kinds of content I wanted to create, and how often I wanted to create it. I decided to write weekly posts since that would allow me to go in depth and feature photos, but I knew I wanted to share the diversity of the collection. I didn’t only want to write about scripts for two months straight. I wanted to mix things up so my fellow M*A*S*H fans got a variety of content, and I, frankly, wouldn’t get bored! So I developed five types of posts:

• Script Spotlight – Features a script (or maybe two) for one episode. The script is reviewed in detail, then the episode itself is reviewed. I offer brief thoughts on the episode, but as I watch the episode, I follow along with script and note any differences.
• Press Pass – Press releases were important to both Fox and CBS, and I have hundreds of press releases and press photos. Each month, I try to find press releases that relates to that month or other objects being featured around the same time.
• From the M*A*S*H Library – There have been well over 100 books published that are related to M*A*S*H. Each month, I review one book from the collection and that allows M*A*S*H fans to deicide whether to add the book to their library.
• MishM*A*S*H – I have countless miscellaneous M*A*S*H items in the collection including licensed products, Smithsonian souvenirs, cast gifts, props, wardrobe, and much more. This post allows me to go in depth about one of these unique items.
• M*A*S*Hish – I discovered quickly that I had an issue. I had four types of posts, but some months had five weeks. So I created a new category in which I can feature items that are M*A*S*H related. Objects that have been shared so far have been from M*A*S*H spin-offs, the Robert Altman M*A*S*H film, and real MASH units in the Korean War.

Each month, I write four or five new posts, and I typically plan them a month or two in advance. I hope these posts add to the M*A*S*H content already available on the internet and keeps the series alive for fans. In the first year, I spent time refining the formula for each of these posts, and now, I think I have found a good rhythm!

Highlights

If the first year of The M*A*S*H Historian was about refining the content and getting the word out on social media channels, then this past year was when it was discovered! Beginning with the 50th anniversary of M*A*S*H last September, I have been busy. I was recognized by Smithsonian Magazine, a guest on M*A*S*H Matters, and acknowledged by Jeff Maxwell. I never imagined the site would grow into what it has become. Here are some highlights from the last year:

• September 2022 – M*A*S*H celebrated its 50th Anniversary last September with a documentary on Reelz channel, several magazines, a number of articles, a MeTV marathon, and an in-person gathering at Malibu Creek State Park hosted by the M*A*S*H Matters podcast. While I didn’t get to attend the in-person event, it was great to get to take part in the anniversary celebration online.
• September 2022 – As a part of the 50th anniversary celebration, Smithsonian Magazine posted an article (“Fifty Years and TV’s M*A*S*H Still Draws Audiences“) that featured interviews with Ryan Patrick from M*A*S*H Matters and myself discussing the impact of the show and its influence over the last five decades. The article corresponded with the opening of a new Smithsonian exhibit featuring the M*A*S*H signpost.
• December 2022 – The exhibit “Entertainment Nation” opened at the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC. The exhibit features many objects from entertainment and pop culture including the M*A*S*H signpost. Read my full review of the exhibit and the exhibit catalog.
• January 2023 – I made the trip to Washington, DC in January to see “Entertainment Nation,” and I was also able to meet with a curator at the museum who allowed me to go into the Smithsonian archives to see some of the M*A*S*H items that are not currently on display. I got to see Hakweye’s shirt, Hawkeye’s bathrobe, several of Klinger’s dresses, and the sign from the Officers’ Club. With the help of Dan Harrison, we were able to identify several of the names on the Officers’ Club sign, something I was really excited to be able to do since I have always wondered what happened to that sign.
• May 2023 – In May, I was invited to join Ryan Patrick and Jeff Maxwell on an episode of their podcast, M*A*S*H Matters. It was a great honor for me to join because I am a regular listener to their podcast and a Patreon supporter! Getting to talk about my M*A*S*H collection with Ryan and talk with Jeff about the show was a great time. It was truly a highlight of my year, and if you haven’t found their podcast yet, I highly recommend it!
• August 2023 – Jeff Maxwell announced in early 2023 that he was updating his book, Secrets of The M*A*S*H Mess, The Lost Recipes of Private Igor: 50th Anniversary Edition, and expanding it. He worked with a graphic designer named Arthur Healey who helped him re-create the book from scratch since the original publisher had lost the proofs. Arthur asked for my assistance with finding some photographs for the book, and I was happy to provide high resolution scans for the book. When I received my copy of the book in August, I was touched to see that Jeff acknowledged my contribution to the updated edition.

Of course, the best part of this site has been interacting with fellow M*A*S*H fans. On the home page, I say, “M*A*S*H is more than a television series…it is a community.” I feel that way now more than ever having interacted with so many fans by email or on social media. If you haven’t already, please follow The M*A*S*H Historian on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), Threads, Tumblr, and Reddit!

What’s Next?

In the next year, I plan to keep up with the posts and continue to add content for the M*A*S*H community. There are two projects that I need to work on. The first is photographing everything in the collection. It has been on my to-do list for over a year, but it is going to be a daunting task. The second project is updating the episode guide on the site. The one there now was written in the mid-2000s. It isn’t the best, and I would like to replace it with the episode details and descriptions from one of the Twentieth Century Fox Television syndication kits that I have. In addition to those two projects, one of my stretch goals for The M*A*S*H Historian is to venture into video content. I have a YouTube channel, but it has remained empty. I have experience filming and editing video, so I would just need to work on a studio set up. While that may not happen in the next year, I can guarantee that my love for M*A*S*H, just like the collection, will continue to grow.

Finally, I want to THANK YOU. Thanks to everyone who reads the posts (and made it to the end of this one!), has left a comment, liked or commented on a social media post, or emailed me. I try to get back to everyone and assist with any questions I receive. M*A*S*H fans are the best, and I cannot thank this community enough for their continued to support with The M*A*S*H Historian!