New Accessions and Openings for the 3rd Quarter FY 2006
Presidential Libraries
Notable manuscript donations received during the quarter include two stenograph notebooks containing shorthand notes of the Casablanca Conference, January 14–24, 1943, taken by Frank Terry, assistant to President Roosevelt's naval aide, donated by Mr. Terry. Christopher Russell donated papers and memorabilia of his grandfather, Henry Charles Spruks, a State Department protocol officer during the Roosevelt administration. The library also received correspondence between Curtis B. Dall, Anna Roosevelt's first husband, and the Roosevelt family, donated by his daughter Mary Dall Twichell, and a carbon copy of the 1957 agreement between the children of President and Mrs. Roosevelt and Dore Schary for the production of Sunrise at Campobello, donated by Christopher duPont Roosevelt.
During the quarter, 202 items were accessioned into the museum collection: 184 were previously unaccessioned items and 18 were new acquisitions.
New acquisitions include a sterling silver cup marking the birth of the first Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr., in 1909, from Franklin D. Roosevelt III; an "Eyes for the Navy" telescope from Betty Schroeder; a large charcoal drawing of FDR drawn by a freed World War II Russian slave laborer in Germany shortly after the President's death, from Frances Sebesta; a Naval Intelligence canvas mail pouch from Christopher Russell; and a poster-sized print of a Franklin D. Roosevelt portrait by Jacob Perskie from John Vargo.
The library acquired the papers of Thomas E. Murray, member of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (about three linear feet, ca. 1950–60). The papers include diary entries, memorandums, correspondence, press releases, reports, printed materials, and other items relating to Murray's career with the commission. This collection is closed pending processing.
The library acquired the papers of Monte Poen, author and historian (about three linear feet, ca. 1978–97). The papers include interview transcripts, tape recordings, correspondence, and other items relating to Poen's projected biography of Harry S. Truman. This collection is closed pending processing.
The library acquired the papers of Eric Fowler, document collector (less than one linear foot, ca. 1890–1900). The papers include two ledgers containing records for students at Ott School in Independence, MO. This collection is closed pending processing.
The library acquired the records of the Harry S. Truman Library Institute for National and International Affairs (about four linear feet, ca. 1957–2000). The records include information relating to meetings of the Institute's board of directors. This collection is closed pending processing.
During the third quarter, the museum acquired 15 new artifacts. These items, transferred from the Archives Division, include materials from the James H. Guilfoyle Papers of military materials; 3 yards of fabric, "I LIKE Ike"; a pencil drawing portrait of DDE by Russell Sibert; a 380 Colt pistol from the Gen. George Horkan collection; and a metal paper embosser and Dewey campaign button from the Arthur S. Stanley collection.
One new collection was added this quarter: additional papers of Walter Bedell Smith, 1961–68, totaling 2,400 pages.
John F. Kennedy Library
The library accessioned 62 textual accessions totaling 176 cubic feet, and one oral history interview, including:
- An accretion to the Personal Papers of John F. Kennedy. Framed poem by Robert Frost, written for John F. Kennedy's inauguration and inscribed to the President, with a handwritten note on verso by Jacqueline B. Kennedy.
- An accretion to the Personal Papers of David F. Powers. Includes material for John F. Kennedy's 1958 Senate campaign, notes, advertising copy, speeches, and news releases. 0.25 cubic feet.
- An accretion to the Personal Papers of Theodore C. Sorensen. Pocket calendars for 1962 to 1967 and letters. Closed pending processing.
- Personal Papers of Allan Webb, PT boat veteran, friend of John F. Kennedy. Correspondence from John F. Kennedy (signed "Shafty") and Jacqueline B. Kennedy. 0.25 cubic feet.
- An accretion to the Ernest Hemingway Collection. Foreign editions of Ernest Hemingway's novels. 12 cubic feet.
- Fifteen additions to the John F. Kennedy Tributes Collection and 27 additions to the Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection.
- Nine accretions to the Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection, 34 oral history interviews.
- Three accretions to the personal papers of Edward M. Kennedy, brother of President Kennedy, Senator from Massachusetts (1962– ):
- Staff files, 1963–2005. 100 cubic feet.
- Video and audiotapes and CDs. 1962–2004. 6 cubic feet.
- Privately printed tribute by Senator Kennedy to his mother, 1997. Less than one cubic foot.
The library accessioned 212 photographic items, 49 hours of audio recordings, and 3.5 hours of video recordings.
The library accessioned an oral history program interview with William C. Battle, PT boat veteran; campaign manager, Virginia, John F. Kennedy for President (1960); and U.S. Ambassador to Australia (1962–64).
Among the accessions was a gift from Mrs. Douglas Dillon of a rock crystal and gold table ornament mounted with a John F. Kennedy half-dollar proof first issued to Mrs. John F. Kennedy. The ornament was designed by David Webb to Jacqueline Kennedy's specifications. The ornament is inscribed underneath "Thank you Douglas, love Jackie. " As Douglas Dillon was Secretary of the Treasury during the Kennedy administration and also during the Johnson administration when the coin was minted, this gift has special historical and symbolic significance.
The following oral history transcripts were accessioned and are available for research:
- Marietta Moody Brooks, director of the Texas Fine Arts Association, four interviews totaling 172 pages.
- Barbara Jordan, member of the U.S. House of Representatives, 1972–78, special interview by Liz Carpenter, 12 pages.
The library received two photo albums regarding Presidential trips to Japan in 1983 and 1986 from the State Department. The original donor was the Government of Japan. They will be added to audiovisual Federal records.
The museum received further Ronald Reagan personal items from Mrs. Reagan, including 37 ties and 6 bolo ties.
The Bush Library the Thomas J. Collamore papers. Mr. Collamore served as Vice President Bush's assistant for operations and staff secretary. Approximately one linear feet of textual material.
Ten boxes from George Bush's Houston Office arrived for courtesy storage.
The museum has stored 152 post Presidential artifacts this quarter. To date there have been 49,577 artifacts processed.
Two paintings of Kennebunkport by noted artist John Gable were donated by Dr. and Mrs. George E. Ehrlich of Philadelphia, PA.
The library received eight donations, including portraits of the President and First Lady by Kristen Eyfells, and cataloged 14 new accessions.
Richard G. Bock donated three books.
Yossi Lahmany, executive director of the Yitzhak Rabin Center, donated one book. Adrian Gheorghe donated one book.
The library for received courtesy storage two books from William J. Clinton.
The National Archives transferred records from the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (WHCAMP). 11 cubic feet.
A large bound photograph album illustrating President Clinton's trip to the Tokyo Summit in 1993 was acquired through the U.S. Department of State.
The library opened for research the papers of Leonard Lyons, columnist for the New York Post (less than one linear foot, 1956–71). The collection consists of 22 letters to Lyons from Mrs. Harry S. Truman, with postmarked envelopes. In the letters, the former First Lady thanks Lyons for books that he sent to Mr. and Mrs. Truman.
The library opened for research the papers of Mariano Floresca, chief steward aboard the Presidential yacht, the USS Williamsburg (less than one linear foot, 1949–50). The collection consists of menus and recipes prepared for President Truman and his guests aboard the Williamsburg and during the President's vacations in Key West, FL.
The library opened for research the papers of William W. Janssen, engineman third class aboard the Presidential yacht, the USS Williamsburg, and her escort vessel, the USS Lenore (less than one linear foot, 1930–48). The collection consists of construction designs and drawings, photographs, and motion pictures relating to the Williamsburg and the Lenore.
More than 17,900 pages were reviewed and opened for research during the quarter. Reviewing was completed on the following collections:
- Dr. Wallace B. and Wynona Sullivan: papers regarding Mamie Eisenhower's medical history, 1931–55;
- Henry A. Byroade: papers, 1937–94; and
- J. Robert Schaetzel: papers, 1943–95.