The Richard Nixon Scrapbooks consist of four individual scrapbooks that contain primarily material from US-based newspapers and magazines covering Richard Nixon's political career as well as private life. Richard Milhous Nixon (January 9, 1913 - April 22, 1994) served as the 37th President of the United States from January 20, 1969 to August 9, 1974, when he resigned from office due to the Watergate Scandal. Nixon served as Vice President from 1953 to 1961 under President Dwight David Eisenhower. Prior to that, Nixon served as US Senator (CA) from 1950 to 1953, and as a US Representative from 1947 to 1950. Richard Nixon was married to Thelma Catherine "Pat" Ryan Nixon. The couple had two daughters, Patricia (Tricia) and Julie. The scrapbooks were created by Carol Irene Muir, UND graduate, class of 1974.
The collection offers a glimpse into the media coverage of Richard Nixon's political and private life. It covers Nixon's early political career as Vice President, follows the 1960 campaign against John F. Kennedy, his rise as the Republican candidate in the 1968 election and win of the Presidency, his reelection in 1972, the Watergate Scandal, and his eventual resignation from office in 1974. Included in the collection are newspaper clippings, articles, photographs, and special editions from various US political and general magazines covering major political events (campaigns, inaugurations, Watergate, resignation, and death). Also included are a variety of newspaper and magazine articles and photographs dealing with Richard Nixon "the private family man." These cover the weddings of both daughters during his presidency as well as Nixon's private life after his resignation and his return to a more public life.
Of particular interest is the personal connection to North Dakota. Ms. Carol Muir was a longtime supporter of Richard Nixon. She included personal items in the scrapbooks: letters written to Nixon during his time in office and after his resignation; letters received by Ms. Muir from Richard Nixon and Baruch Korff, thanking her for her support and contribution; two 1960 campaign pins. The scrapbooks also contain articles from the Grand Forks Herald on Mr. Nixon's visits to North Dakota throughout his presidency.