Remembering Pick Temple - Exhibit at the NCRTV Museum

The National Capital Radio & Television Museum in Bowie, Maryland, is pleased to announce that our newest exhibit, Remembering Pick Temple, is now open to the public.

Folk singer Lafayette Parker “Pick” Temple, Jr., once called “The First Washington TV Superstar,” was a D.C. area celebrity during the advent of television in the 1950s. After performing on radio briefly in the late 1940s, he transitioned to television, and for much of the 1950s appeared onscreen seven days a week on local television stations WTTG, WTOP, and WMAL.

Temple was best known for children’s show, Pick Temple’s Giant Ranch, which was one of the top-rated programs in the D.C. area during its run from 1952 to 1961. Children - and plenty of adults - loved his stories and songs, his dog, Lady, and his pony, Piccolo. For fans, many of whom joined his “Pick Temple Giant Rangers Club,” Temple’s show remains a cherished childhood memory.

The exhibit, made possible by a generous donation of memorabilia from Pick Temple’s family, tells the story of this beloved, local television star. Visitors can view artifacts from Temple’s career, including his cowboy clothing and personalized guitar, and watch clips of his show on a vintage television set.

The Museum is open on Fridays 9 to 4, and Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 4. Group tours can be given on weekdays, by appointment only. Admission and parking are free, but donations are encouraged and appreciated.


The National Capital Radio & Television Museum collects, preserves, and interprets artifacts, programming, and publications to educate the public about the development and impact of electronic media. The museum is located at 2608 Mitchellville Road, Bowie, MD 20716.
For more information, contact us at info@ncrtv.org or (301) 390-1020.