Collection Overview
Title: Richard Nixon Scrapbooks, 1959-2007
ID: OGLMC/1647
Creator: Muir, Carol Irene
Extent: 2.5 Linear Feet
Arrangement: The collection contains four scrapbooks. Scrapbook 1 contains mostly newspaper articles and photographs that cover Nixon's early political career as Vice President to articles about his post-Presidency life. Scrapbook 2 contains a mix of newspaper and magazine articles, focusing more on the family's private life. Scrapbook 2 contains Ms. Muir's personal correspondence and journal entries. Scrapbook 3 contains mostly in-depth articles about Nixon's presidency and his resignation. The last scrapbook 4 consists mainly of complete special magazine editions published on the occasion of Nixon's death.
Date Acquired: 06/03/2016
Languages: English [eng]
Abstract
Scrapbook following political career and private life of Richard Nixon, 37th President of the United States of America.
Scope and Contents of the Materials
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.
Biographical Note
UND Graduate, Class of 1974, and creator of four scrapbooks regarding President Richard Nixon
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions:
Open for inspection under the Rules and Regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.
Acquisition Source:
Carol Muir, Johnstown, North Dakota
Acquisition Method:
Donation; 2016-3310
Preferred Citation:
(Description of Item). Richard Nixon Scrapbooks. OGLMC 1647, Box #, Folder #. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.
Finding Aid Revision History:
Processed by Susanne Watts, Special Collections Graduate Intern, in September 2017.
Box and Folder Listing
- Box 1
- Scrapbook 1
- Scrapbook 1 contains a variety of newspaper photographs and short articles covering Nixon's early political career to post-presidential life. Included are newspaper articles and photos of important events, such as the Apollo 11 mission, the 1973 meeting in the US with Leonid Brezhnev, various state visits abroad as Vice-President and President, and also photographs of private and social events. Scrapbook also includes coverage by the Grand Forks Herald on Nixon's visits to North Dakota 1960-1970.
- Scrapbook 2
- Scrapbook 2 covers mostly the private life of Richard Nixon post-Presidency. It includes interviews with his daughters. The collection also covers the Nixon Papers, Watergate, and the final days. Scrapbook 2 includes private letters by Ms. Muir to the president. It also contains a letter from Baruch Korff as trustee of the President Nixon Justice Fund and a signed letter by Nixon thanking Ms. Muir for her continued support. Scrapbook contains Saturday Night Post series about Nixon.
- Folder 1: Contents
1.) letter by Vice-President Richard Nixon written on his last day in office to Ms. Muir
2.) Two campaign pins from his 1960 presidential campaign
3.) self-portrait
- Box 2
- Scrapbook 3
- Scrapbook 3 covers the 1968 GOP Convention and includes a US News and World Report's biographical article on the newly elected president. It focuses mainly on Nixon's second term as president, with an emphasis on the Watergate investigation and Nixon's subsequent resignation. It also covers the 1972 campaign with articles on Pat Nixon and Eleanor McGovern's campaigning efforts. Scrapbook contains magazine articles on Nixon's 1974 trip to the Middle East. Also includes articles on the weddings of both daughters.
- Scrapbook 4
- Scrapbook 4 covers the period of Nixon's resignation in 1974 to his death in 1994. Contains mainly special tribute editions of major US news and weekly magazines on the occasion of his death. Includes article from 2007 on the renewed public interest about Richard Nixon as evident in books, plays, and movies.