Personal Papers

Personal and Organizational Papers

Major Collections

Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson
 - Includes Courship and Post-Courtship Letters
Lady Bird Johnson
 - Includes Daily Diary, White House Diary, Post-Presidential and UT-Board of Regents Papers
Democratic National Committee
Tom Johnson
Drew Pearson

Go to complete list of personal and organizational collections, A-Z

 

 

Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson

Personal Papers of Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson, 1934 - 1968

- 1.38 linear feet
- Partially available for research [Courtship and Post-Courtship Letters are available]
- 70% digitized
See all digitized items from this collection
- 3 or more series

The Personal Papers of Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson are a collection of correspondence between the Johnsons that spans 1934 through 1968 and covers a variety of topics including their courtship; Lyndon Johnson's military service during World War II; the Austin radio station, KTBC, which Lady Bird Johnson purchased in 1943; Lyndon Johnson's congressional career and activities; politics; family matters; President Johnson's decisions to seek the Democratic party's nomination for president in 1964 and not seek the nomination in 1968; and life in the White House.

Series: Courtship Letters, 9/1934 - 11/1934 [See all digitized items from this series]
This series contains approximately 90 letters, and numerous photographs exchanged between Lyndon Baines Johnson and Claudia Alta “Lady Bird” Taylor during their 10 week courtship while Johnson worked in Washington, DC, and Lady Bird lived at her family home in Karnack, Texas. The courtship started in early September 1934 and culminated when they “committed matrimony,” as Lady Bird described it, in San Antonio, Texas on November 17, 1934.
For complete collection and series descriptions, visit the National Archives Catalog. [NAID: 7175753]

Series: Post-Courtship Letters, 1934 - 1969 [See all digitized items from this series]

This series contains correspondence between Lyndon Baines Johnson and Claudia Alta "Lady Bird" Taylor after their marriage and throughout Lyndon Baines Johnson's congressional, vice presidential, and presidential careers. The content of the letters reflects Lyndon Johnson's military service during World War II, Lady Bird Johnson's handling of Lyndon Johnson's congressional office during his World War II military service; the purchasing of, early decisions regarding, and management of, the Austin radio station, KTBC, which Lady Bird Johnson purchased in 1943; Lyndon Johnson's congressional career and activities; President Johnson's decisions to seek the Democratic party's nomination for president in 1964 and not seek the nomination in 1968.

For complete collection and series descriptions, visit the National Archives Catalog. [NAID: 148053628]

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Lady Bird Johnson

See also: Mrs. Johnson's speeches in Reference File

Lady Bird Johnson's White House Diary, 1963 - 1970

- Available for research
- 50% digitized
- See all digitized items from this collection

 Lady Bird Johnson recorded an audio diary throughout President Lyndon B. Johnson’s administration detailing her experiences and observations as First Lady. A staff member typed transcripts in the White House, and Mrs. Johnson edited them after leaving the White House and returning to Texas. The collection consists of the audio recordings; the original typed transcripts of the recordings; edited transcripts; manuscript materials used in the compilation and publication of Mrs. Johnson’s book, “A White House Diary;” daily diary sheets prepared by Mrs. Johnson’s secretaries; and envelopes of backup material collected by Lady Bird Johnson to help her remember events while recording her thoughts. The envelopes of backup material include handwritten notes, memorandums, menus, programs, guest lists, itineraries, agenda, clippings, memorabilia, and other material.



6 series:
1. Lady Bird Johnson Audio Diary Tapes, 1963 - 1969
- 100% digitized
- See all digitized items from this series

2. Annotated Transcripts of Lady Bird Johnson's Audio Diary, 1963 - 1983
- 100% digitized
- See all digitized items from this series

3. Lady Bird Johnson's White House Diary Backup Envelopes, 1963 - 1969
- 0% digitized

4. "A White House Diary" Manuscript Files, 1963 - 1970
- 0% digitized

5. Lady Bird Johnson's Daily Diary, 12/1963 - 1/31/1969
- 100% digitized
- See all digitized items from this series

6. Original Transcripts of Lady Bird Johnson's Audio Diary, 1963 - 1969
- 0% digitized

Go to National Archives Catalog for complete collection and series descriptions [NAID: 18580161]

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Lady Bird Johnson's Post-Presidential Papers, 1969 - 2007

- Not available for research
- 0% digitized

7 series:
- Name Files, 1969 - 2007
- Subject Files, 1973 - 2007
- Oversize Attachments, 1969 - 2004
- Condolence Mail, 1973 - 1973
- Unclassified Subject Files Signed by Lady Bird Johnson, 1969 - 1973
- Unclassified Subject Files Signed by Lady Bird Johnson's Secretary, 1969 - 1973
- KLBJ Radio Station Reports, 1973 - 1977

Lady Bird Johnson returned to Austin, Texas, when her husband, President Lyndon B. Johnson left office, and she continued to be active in public life, employed a small office staff, and maintained a wide-ranging correspondence with friends, associates, and the general public. The collection reflects these activities and contains letters she received as well as copies of responses and staff memorandums; material pertaining to her service on various boards; material pertaining to the National Wildflower Center which she co-founded with actress Helen Hayes; material related to her continuing efforts and interest in conservation and beautification; and material related to her extensive travels.

Go to National Archives Catalog for complete collection and series descriptions [NAID: 31841295]

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Lady Bird Johnson's University of Texas System Board of Regents Files, 1970 - 1982

- Not available for research
- 0% digitized

5 series:
- Meeting Files, 1970 - 1976
- Budget and Financial Statement Files, 1971 - 1977
- Press Releases, 1971 - 1982
- Periodicals and Publications, 1971 - 1977
- Board of Regents Office Files, 1971 - 1977

The collection is composed of material collected by Lady Bird Johnson while serving on the Board of Regents for the University of Texas System from 1971 to 1977. It includes dockets, agenda, and briefing materials for meetings of the Board of Regents; financial and budget information; contracts and other legal documents; reports; spreadsheets; correspondence; memorandums; publications; newsletters; periodicals; press releases; newspaper clippings; and other material.

Go to National Archives Catalog for complete collection and series descriptions [NAID: 33089220]

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Records of the Democratic National Committee, 1960 - 1968

The records of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) include documents, film, videotape, and audio recordings detailing the operation of the committee, especially during President Lyndon Johnson's 1964 election campaign. The textual material includes both the office files of DNC staff and material from the DNC's Library and Research division. The audio material is comprised of recordings from both the Democratic and Republican 1964 conventions, as well as Senator Humphrey's speeches during the 1964 campaign and some material from the Young Democrats. The film and video recordings consist primarily of television commercials, speeches, and other materials related to the 1960 and 1964 Presidential campaigns.

- Available for research
- Less than 1% digitized
- See all digitized items from this collection
Go to folder title list, series 1
Go to folder title list, series 2
- Includes 1964 campaign TV ads [see them all on our YouTube playlist

Go to National Archives Catalog for complete collection and series descriptions [NAID: 1497343]

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Papers of Tom Johnson, 1965 - ca. 2000

This collection contains textual and audio visual materials created and gathered by Wyatt Thomas ("Tom") Johnson during his career in the Lyndon B. Johnson administration, and as an employee of President Johnson following the President's return to Texas. It also covers Tom Johnson’s career in journalism. Included are materials created while serving in various capacities on the White House staff, and later, as an employee of the Texas Broadcasting Company, publisher of the Los Angeles Times, and president of CNN. These materials reflect Johnson's duties, as well as his personal and professional associations and interests in the fields of government, communications, and journalism.

-Partially available for research
-4% digitized
-2 series:
-- Meeting Notes (100% digitized)
-- Personal Files (not processed)
-See all digitized items from this collection
-Go to series description and folder title list

Go to National Archives Catalog for complete collection and series descriptions [NAID: 23652126]

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Papers of Drew Pearson, 1915 - 1969

This collection consists of the personal papers of journalist,Drew Pearson. Peason reported results of his investigations in his column, the "Washington Merry-Go-Round," and in his radio and television programs. These papers include draft columns, radio and television scripts, memorandums, official and personal correspondence, newspaper clippings, material collected in pursuit of investigations, and personal diaries. The materials generally relate to foreign and domestic policy, legislation, court cases, activities of United States presidents, members of the executive branch and members of the United States House of Representatives and Senate, political and special interest groups, issues concerning corporate malfeasance, scandals, and other stories. The collection also contains photographs, film, sound recordings, and a microfilm index to Pearson's columns.

- Partially available for research
- Less than 1% digitized
- See all digitized items from this collection
Go to folder title list
- Also includes audiovisual material

Go to National Archives Catalog for complete collection and series descriptions [NAID: 568057]

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