Research Our Records

Accessions and Openings for the 3rd Quarter 2008

View Accessions and Openings for all quarters since July 2001.

 

Presidential Libraries

ACCESSIONS

Franklin D. Roosevelt Library

During the third quarter, the library accessioned 2,765 pages (1.72 cubic feet) of recent manuscript acquisitions.

Notable archival acquisitions this quarter include two volumes of a diary of Warren Delano III, 1880–82, and a journal of Edward Delano, 1882 (gift of Anne B. Adams); handwritten memoirs by Adm. John L. McCrea, naval aide to the President (gift of his stepdaughter, Judy Tobey); two handwritten letters of introduction by Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt on behalf of Oakley Wigg of Hyde Park (gift of the estate of Florence K. Wiley); programs from the unveilings of the portraits of the President and Mrs. Roosevelt at the White House (gift of the White House Office of the Curator); autograph letter, 1929, from New York Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt to Mrs. Sinclair Jacobs (gift of Steven T. Morgan); temporary appointment, 1918, of Percival V. Harris to Lieutenant in the United States Navy, signed by FDR as Acting Secretary of the Navy (gift of Ann B. Harris); photocopies of letters and other materials related to Adm. Cary T. Grayson and his interactions with the Roosevelts (gift of Cary T. Grayson, Jr., and Priscilla Grayson); copies of newspaper articles and other materials related to the life and career of Frank C. Walker, Postmaster General and Democratic National Committee Chairman during the later years of the Roosevelt Presidency (gift of Mr. T. J. Walker); historical materials related to Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr., and his parents (deposited by Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr.).

On June 7, a major auction of FDR-related documents and memorabilia amassed by Drs. Joseph and Deborah Plaud took place at Heritage Auctions in Dallas, TX. Due to generous terms offered by the sellers and the support of the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute, the library's representative at the auction successfully bid on several important items for the collections, including a 1939 handwritten narrative by Harry Hopkins on the reorganization of the Supreme Court; a 1932 autograph letter from FDR to Jouett Shouse seeking to reunite the Democratic Party following the nominating convention; a rare 1920 Cox/Roosevelt jugate campaign poster; a large collection of personal letters written by original "Brains Truster" Raymond Moley to his wife; a 1696 Native American land deed for the area that would become known as Hyde Park; a variety of folk art representations of the Roosevelts; and a telegram from Herbert Hoover to President-elect Roosevelt following the unsuccessful assassination attempt on FDR's life in February 1933.

During the quarter, 25 items were accessioned into the museum collection: 24 new acquisitions and 1 previously deaccessioned item in the museum collection.

Among the new acquisitions are a Cartier pendant timepiece given to Sara Delano Roosevelt by her husband James Roosevelt in 1881 (donated by the estate of Laura Delano Eastman); a raincoat owned by Eleanor Roosevelt (donated by Eleanor Roosevelt's Val-Kill, ERVK); and a complete set of original tools sold with the 1936 model Ford Phaeton that was used by the President in Hyde Park and, after his death, by his widow (donated by Charles A. J. Halpin III).

The printed materials collections added 44 new books, 34 periodicals and 137 vertical file items during the quarter. Also accessioned into the collection were 47 previously deaccessioned books that were identified during the FDR Book Collection project.

Harry S. Truman Library

The library acquired the Trinity Episcopal Church Records (about 800 pages; ca. 1945–73), consisting of copies of correspondence, newspaper clippings, and other items pertaining to the church activities of Mr. and Mrs. Truman and the wedding of their daughter Margaret. This collection is closed pending processing.

The library acquired the Gil Shaw Papers, a U.S. Coast Guard officer (about 1,600 pages; ca. 1970–72), consisting of documents and sound recordings relating to the funeral of Harry S. Truman. This collection is closed pending processing.

The library acquired the Joseph F. Healey Papers, a friend of Harry S. Truman (about 25 pages; ca. 1933–64), consisting of invitations and programs for Presidential Inaugurations and other events. This collection is closed pending processing.

The library acquired the Frank W. Rucker Papers, a journalist (about 150 pages; ca. 1968–73), consisting of a typescript of his memoir and other writings, mostly relating to his career with the Independence Examiner. This collection is closed pending processing.

The library acquired the Howard Sachs Papers, U.S. District Court Judge (about 25 pages; ca. 1933–80), consisting of copies of correspondence from Bess and Margaret Truman. This collection is closed pending processing.

The library acquired correspondence, legal documents, maps, and blueprints that are part of Record Group 269: Records of the General Services Administration (about 800 pages; ca. 1960–79), documenting construction projects at the Harry S. Truman Library and the acquisition of land near the library. This material is closed pending processing.

The library acquired a ledger book listing disbursements of the 1949 Inaugural Committee, which is part of Record Group 274: Records of Presidential Inaugural Committees (about 50 pages; ca. 1948–49). This material is closed pending processing.

The library acquired an accretion to the Rufus Burrus Papers, a friend and attorney of Harry S. Truman (about 800 pages; ca. 1950–56), consisting of his appointment books. This accretion is closed pending processing.

The library acquired an accretion to the Lowell Mason Papers, a member of the Federal Trade Commission (about 7,200 pages; ca. 1945–65), relating to his life and service on the Commission. This accretion is closed pending processing.

The library acquired an accretion to the Truman Anniversary Concert, Inc., Records (about 800 pages; ca. 1984–96), consisting of meeting minutes, financial records, correspondence, and other items documenting the activities of the corporation. This accretion is closed pending processing.

Nine books, dissertations and theses based in part on research at the library were added to the collection during the quarter.

Dwight D. Eisenhower Library

More than 43,074 pages were reviewed during the quarter. Reviewing was completed on the following collections, which were opened for research this quarter: American Bible Society papers and Abbott Washburn papers.

During the third quarter, 7,800 pages were added to the library holdings including papers of Davis E. Boster, John E. Archibold, and Fran Smith Johnson. Additional papers for William M. Rountree and Helen Geis Westland were also accessioned.

John F. Kennedy Library

The library accessioned 11 textual accessions totaling 50 cubic feet including:

  • Two accretions to the Personal Papers of Edward M. Kennedy. Staff files 1973–2000; also constituent mail regarding the senator's health, 2008. 37 cubic feet. Closed.
  • One accretion to the Personal Papers of David Broder. Research files relating to American Presidential campaigns, elections, and studies, other topics. 11 cubic feet. Closed.
  • One accretion to the Personal Papers of Theodore C. Sorensen. Correspondence, clippings, and notes regarding the Kennedy Family and LBJ; a box containing a pen used by JFK, a desk calendar, a napkin ring, a silver box given to Sorensen by Charles de Gaulle, other items. 0.25 cubic foot. Closed.
  • Four accretions to the Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection, including the papers of Elizabeth Evans (Malawi), Sydney Kling (South Africa), and Starley Talbott (South Africa); an addition to the papers of Michael Santarelli (Ethiopia); and 17 oral history interviews. Open.
  • Two accretions to the John F. Kennedy Tributes Collection, from Toni Christine Leonowich, consisting of an original poem, "The Second Shot Heard around the World!" written by the deceased daughter of the donor and from Rev. F. Richard Garland, consisting of an original handwritten and typescript copy of poem by donor, "In Memory of JFK—1963." Open.
  • One accession to the Miscellaneous Accessions Collection, papers from Helena Kaffe, consisting of a poster and guide to the RFK Remix Audiowalk in San Jose, CA, an art project created by the donor for the City of San Jose Public Art Program. Open.

The library accessioned oral history interviews with 16 people:

  • John Doar
  • Polly Fitzgerald
  • Edward Kennedy
  • Theodoro Moscoso
  • Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr.
  • Providencia Paredes
  • I. M. Pei
  • N. Thompson Powers
  • Mary Ann Ryan
  • Philip J. Ryan
  • Walter Sheridan
  • Eunice Shriver
  • Michael F. Skerry
  • Robert Troutman, Jr.
  • Eunice Ford Williams
  • Rosalind W. Wyman

Deeds were completed for an addition to the personal papers collections of Theodore C. Sorensen, Patrick DeLeon, and 17 RPCV oral histories.

A total of 69 photograph items (49 prints and 20 negatives), 37.5 hours of audio (audiocassettes, ¼-inch tape reels, CDs), and 16.75 hours of moving images (DVD discs, VHS and Beta-SP video cassettes) were accessioned and described.

13 DVDs and 12 rolls (six each negative and positive) of microfilm of Hemingway's correspondence were received from the Finca Vigia in Cuba.

Continued processing all accretions to the Personal Papers of John Kenneth Galbraith, Closed.

Created an initial inventory for two accretions to the personal papers of Theodore Sorensen. 2.25 feet. Closed.

Created an initial inventory for an accretion to the personal papers of David Broder. 11 feet.

Lyndon Baines Johnson Library

The following oral history transcripts were accessioned and are available for research:

  • Frederick O'Reilly Hayes, Bureau of the Budget, 1953–63; member of the 1964 Task Force on the War Against Poverty, Office of Economic Opportunity, 1965–66, 38 and 43 pages.
  • R. Max Brooks, Austin architect who did several projects for the Johnsons, husband of Marietta Moody Brooks, a Johnson campaign employee, 33 and 37 pages.
  • William F. Jackson, military aide to Vice President Johnson, 41 pages.
  • James P. Nash, Austin native and longtime friend of the Johnsons, 24 pages.
  • Marie Lindau Olson, Texas National Youth Administration (NYA) staff, 28 pages.
  • Inez Hughes, teacher at Marshall High School where Lady Bird Johnson attended, 10 pages.
  • Robert Montague, assistant senior adviser to the 21st Vietnamese Infantry Division, MACV, 1964–65, staff member to White House Special Assistant Robert Komer, staff member for First Infantry Division commander William De Puy, 36 and 51 pages.
  • Thomas D. Mills, hospital corpsman in the White House, 1963–68, medical liaison at the LBJ Ranch 1968–75, 40 pages.
  • George Pazianos, Senate Labor and Public Welfare Committee, 1964–66, 15 pages.
  • Wroe Owens, Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1942–45, and Austin lawyer, 13 pages.
  • Annette M. Ludeman, longtime Cotulla resident and teacher, 25 pages.
  • Radcliffe Killam, oilman and rancher from Laredo, Texas, 14 pages.
  • Ruth Prokop, LBJ's Vice Presidential Senate Office, 1961–62; President's Commission on the Status of Women staff, 1962–63; confidential assistant and legislative counsel, Office of Consumer Affairs, 1963–66; Department of Housing and Urban Development 1966–69, 42 and 17 pages.
  • Sidney "Sub" Pyland, friend of LBJ's at Southwest Texas State Teachers College, 27 pages.

The audiovisual archives also accessioned one audiotape from the President's Committee on Consumer Interests and .10 cubic feet of material from the library's technical services unit's ongoing documentation of LBJ Library events.

Gerald R. Ford Library

The library completed work for 34 accessions this quarter, including accretions to the papers of Susan Ford Bales, Arthur Burns, Melvin Laird, the Gerald R. Ford Foundation, and the Public Statements by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. The library also received additions to the Composite Oral History Accessions, the Composite General Accessions, and Composite Grand Rapids Accessions collections.

The library acquired the Ford Family Photograph Albums, 1913–2005 (30 cubic feet), containing mostly photographs, but also some letters and other scrapbook materials that document the lives of Gerald and Betty Ford and their family.

The library acquired the James L. Trimpe 30-30 Club Scrapbook, 1930–2005 (0.2 cubic feet, containing materials from the 1930 Grand Rapids South High School championship football team and its subsequent reunions, including the 1974 reunion that included a visit to the White House as the guest of team member Gerald R. Ford.

The library accessioned the papers of Warren L. "Bill" Gulley, 1974–77 (0.2 cubic feet), including Air Force One manifests for flights taken by the Ford family.

Donations to the museum collections included a 2008 painting of the USS Monterey by Stanley Stokes; a large collection of Ford family photo albums and other miscellaneous items from Mrs. Betty Ford; an invitation to the second Ford-Carter Presidential debate; a ticket to a 1932 University of Michigan football game; four Albert Capraro dresses worn by Susan Ford during her father's presidency; and a lifetime achievement award presented posthumously to Gerald Ford by the The Economic Club of Grand Rapids.

Ronald Reagan Library

The library had three acquisitions this quarter. They are:

Cabot, Mabel Hobart (Brandon): Papers, 1983–2004 (less than 1 cubic foot) This acquisition consists of materials donated by Mabel Hobart Cabot pertaining to her service as social secretary to the White House during the Reagan administration. The materials contain items pertaining to the Williamsburg Summit held in 1983; consisting of brochures, schedules, photographs, and other related ephemera. The donation also includes items related to President Reagan's funeral services in Washington, DC, in 2004.

Dunlop, George S.: Papers, 1986–89 (less than 1 cubic foot) This acquisition consists of materials donated by George S. Dunlop pertaining to his service as Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment. The materials include speeches and other public statements, correspondence, photographs, and publicity materials created by the Department of Agriculture.

Van Court, Arthur: Photographs, 1967–69 (2,744 items) This acquisition consists of photographs taken by Arthur Van Court while serving as Governor Reagan's driver and bodyguard. The photographs include official events and private gatherings with family and friends.

William J. Clinton Library

During the quarter, the Clinton archival staff received approximately 1.5 cubic feet of textual material. We received seven unsolicited collections, which were made up entirely of books and totaled approximately one cubic foot, and one deed of gift collection, the Steve Strauss Collection. The Steve Strauss Collection consisted of 1992 Clinton campaign material and totaled .5 cubic foot. In addition, .5 cubic foot of Presidential records was transferred from the White House Office of the Curator to the Clinton Library.

OPENINGS

Harry S. Truman Library

The library opened for research the Lloyd J. Graybar Papers, Professor of History, Eastern Kentucky University (1 linear foot, 4 linear inches; 1946–88). The papers consist primarily of correspondence between Graybar and veterans of the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in July 1946 which Graybar collected for a book.

The library opened for research the Mary Wallace Papers, sister-in-law of Bess Truman (less than one half of one linear foot; 1919–88). The papers include correspondence, handwritten notes, photographs, two scrapbooks, and other materials mostly related to her connections with the Truman family.

The library opened for research the Bruce D. Forsyth Papers, White House Dentist and Assistant Surgeon General, Public Health Service, 1945–53 (10 linear inches; 1945–90). The papers include a diary, correspondence, photographs, and dental records, documenting Dr. Forsyth's career as White House dentist.

The library opened for research the Forrest McCluney Papers, Office of Research and Intelligence, Department of State, 1945–50; European Director, Radio Free Europe, 1950–51; Deputy Chairman, American Committee for the Liberation of the Peoples of Russia, Inc., 1951–52 (5 linear feet, 8 linear inches; 1937–65). The papers include correspondence, reports, and photographs pertaining to his career.

Dwight D. Eisenhower Library

Over 43,074 pages were reviewed during the quarter. Reviewing was completed on the following collections which were opened for research this quarter: American Bible Society papers and Abbott Washburn papers.

John F. Kennedy Library

Processed two additions to the John F. Kennedy Tributes Collection: from Toni Christine Leonowich, consisting of an original poem, "The Second Shot Heard around the World!" written by the deceased daughter of the donor and Rev. F. Richard Garland, consisting of an original handwritten and typescript copy of poem by donor, "In Memory of JFK—1963." 2 items.

Processed one addition to the Miscellaneous Accessions Collection, from Helena Kaffe, consisting of a poster and guide to the RFK Remix Audiowalk in San Jose, CA, an art project created by the donor for the City of San Jose Public Art Program. 2 items.

Processed four additions to the Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection, the papers of Elizabeth Evans (Malawi), Sydney Kling (South Africa), and Starley Talbott (South Africa); and an addition to the papers of Michael Santarelli (Ethiopia). 33 items, 0.25 cu foot.

Gerald R. Ford Library

The library opened the Composite General Accessions: Worden/Delaney USS Monterey Digital Collection, consisting of low and high resolution scans of 13 photographs and 3 documents related to Gerald Ford's World War II tour of duty on the USS Monterey, 1944.

Jimmy Carter Library

The library opened the Congressional Liaison Office—Valerie Pinson Files.

William J. Clinton Library

The library opened 77,127 pages in response to FOIA requests this quarter.

George Bush Library

The library opened three large accretions to the Robert M. Teeter Papers (1967–2004), political strategist and survery research specialist, consisting of 138 videotapes, the bulk of which relate to Teeter's role as senior campaign adviser in the 1988 and 1992 Presidential campaigns of George H.W. Bush. Included are campaign advertisements, interviews, debates, speeches, and news reports from Presidential election campaigns [(1976) 1984, 1988, and 1992] and various mayoral, gubernatorial, and state and U.S. Senate elections in the same period. Also included are eight campaign ads from George W. Bush's Texas gubernatorial race and 1999 inauguration, and Oliver North testimony before a joint Congressional Committee on the Iran-Contra Affair.

 

Top