House Papers

House of Representatives Papers, 1900-1974

- 160 linear feet
- Mostly available for research
- Less than 1 % digitized
- See all digitized items from this collection

- 12 series
- Go to House Papers full description
- Go to House Papers folder title list

This collection contains papers that were accumulated by Lyndon B. Johnson while serving as a member of the United States House of Representatives from the 10th Congressional District of Texas. They were accumulated in Mr. Johnson's Washington, D.C. office as well as in the Austin, Texas office which was opened during political campaigns and when Congress was not in session.

Contents include: material pertaining to Johnson's House committee assignments, particularly the Naval Affairs Committee and Armed Services Committee; Johnson's efforts to bring electric power to rural areas in Central Texas; Johnson's involvement with the National Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 1940; Johnson's own congressional campaigns; his unsuccessful campaign for the United States Senate in 1941; and, his successful campaign for the United States Senate in 1948.

For complete collection and series descriptions, visit the National Archives Catalog. [NAID: 7614388]

Jump to series:
1. Political Correspondence Files, 1937-1949
2. Correspondence Files, 1937-1948
3. Materials Relating to Congressional Committees and Legislative Matters, 1938-1948
4. Public Works Project Files, 1937-1944
5. Constituent Case Files, 1938-1948
6. Office Files, 1941-1942
7. Speech Files, 1937-1948
8. Photographs, 1940-1948
9. Clippings, 1933-1948
10. Senate Case Files Brought Forward, 1946-1948
11. Scrapbooks, 1908-1947
12. Mary Rather Reminiscences, 1973-1974


1. Political Correspondence Files, 1937-1949

- 54 linear feet
- Available for research
- 0% digitized

This series consists chiefly of files relating to Lyndon B. Johnson's campaigns for election and reelection as the Congressman from Texas' 10th District, and to his 1941 and 1948 Senate campaigns. The correspondence includes files relating to Johnson's participation in the National Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee of 1940 and in the selection of the Texas delegation to the 1944 Democratic National Committee (DNC) and consists of correspondence, memorandums, donor and mailing lists, reports, telegrams, clippings, speeches, invitations, maps, and index file cards.

Back to top


2. Correspondence Files, 1937-1948

- 3 linear feet
- Available for research
- 0% digitized

This series consists of correspondence related to non-political topics. It includes memorandums, commendations, telegrams, clippings, letters, reports, invitations, and personal correspondence that covers topics such as gifts, complimentary references, condolences and congratulations, and donations. The correspondence is between Lyndon B. Johnson and others, including, but not limited to, H. Miller Ainsworth, James V. Allred, Gene Autry, Robert Lee Bobbitt, Paul Bolton, Raymond Brooks, George Brown, Herman Brown, Ed Clark, Tom Clark, Jacqueline Cochran, John B. Connally, Harlan Fentress, Sim Gideon, Roy Hofheinz, Hardy Hollers, and Alvin J. Wirtz.

Back to top


3. Materials Relating to Congressional Committees and Legislative Matters, 1938-1948

- 7 linear feet
- Available for research
- 0% digitized

This series pertains to Lyndon B. Johnson's committee assignments in the U.S. House of Representatives. The series consists primarily of correspondence, memorandums, reports, training briefs, clippings, contracts, awards and commendations, legal briefs, speeches, itineraries, and bulletins. The correspondence includes letters between Lyndon Johnson and such notables as Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal, Congressman F. Edward Hebert, and Congressman Wright Patman.

Back to top


4. Public Works Project Files, 1937-1944

- 10 linear feet
- Available for research
- 0% digitized

This series consists of information pertaining to federally financed public works and other programs that Congressman Lyndon B. Johnson obtained for the 10th Congressional District in Texas. The series includes correspondence, memorandums, maps, blueprints, reports, data, statistics, leases, drawings, photographs, contracts, clippings, press releases, brochures, payrolls, and legislation.

Back to top


5. Constituent Case Files, 1938-1948

- 53 linear feet
- Available for research
- 0% digitized

This series consists of case mail or constituent service mail. Congressman Lyndon B. Johnson's case mail was comprised of individual case files containing constituents' requests for services from federal agencies or Texas state agencies; general files containing copies of agency regulations, forms, and issuances; and, constituent correspondence relating to information about agencies.

Back to top


6. Office Files, 1941-1942

- 1 linear foot
- Available for research
- 0% digitized

This series consists chiefly of communications exchanged during political campaigns between members of Lyndon B. Johnson's staff in the Washington, D.C. and Austin, Texas offices. They also include papers found in Johnson's desk after he went on active duty in the Navy, as well as communications from members of his staff while they were on active military duty.

Back to top


7. Speech Files, 1937-1948

- 2 linear feet
- Available for research
- 0% digitized

This series consists of drafts, carbons, mimeographed, and printed copies of Lyndon B. Johnson's Texas speeches covering topics like campaigns, politics, and agriculture. This series also includes newspaper clippings; federal agency issuances; copies of other people's speeches, such as Sam Rayburn, Herbert C. Henderson, and Don Pryor; research notes; and, related correspondence.

Back to top


8. Photographs, 1940-1948

- Less than 1 linear foot
- Available for research (via AV Archives)
- 0% digitized

This series contains photographs pertaining to Lyndon B. Johnson's campaign for U.S. House of Representatives in 1940, photographs of Johnson with political figures including Franklin D. Roosevelt, and photographs with Lady Bird Johnson.

Back to top


9. Clippings, 1933-1948

- 3 linear feet
- Available for research
- 0% digitized

This series consists of clippings that Lyndon B. Johnson received from his subscriptions to newspapers and clippings bureaus as well as clippings sent to him from constituents, friends, and political supporters. These clippings cover topics such as Texas campaigns and political affairs, speeches, cartoons, editorials, and condolences.

Back to top


10. Senate Case Files Brought Forward, 1946-1948

- 2 linear feet
- Available for research
- 0% digitized

This series consists of files relating to cases handled by the Texas Senator W. Lee O'Daniel, which were pending or incomplete by December 31, 1948; and were, therefore, brought forward by Lyndon B. Johnson when he replaced O'Daniel as senator. These files contain correspondence, letters, memorandums, and reports on topics such as veterans affairs, employment and benefits, welfare, legislation, and departmental matters.

Back to top 


11. Scrapbooks, 1908-1947

- 30 linear feet
- Available for research (on microfilm)
- 0% digitized

This series is comprised of 28 scrapbooks given to Lyndon B. Johnson by constituents, friends, and members of his staff as well as scrapbooks compiled from accumulated clippings, photographs, and other sources. Some of these scrapbooks deal with Johnson's service in the House of Representatives and with publicity about public works projects concerning agriculture, flood control, and power projects in Texas.

Back to top


12. Mary Rather Reminiscences, 1973-1974

- 4 linear inches
- Available for research
- 0% digitized

This series consists of notes from Mary Rather who worked for Lyndon B. Johnson during his congressional, presidential, and post-presidential years. These informational and administrative notes were inserted into the House of Representative Papers in the early 1970s and reflect her reminiscences of various events and people as they pertain to Johnson. The notes were later removed and replaced by a removal notice. These notes are not an original part of the House of Representative papers, but are maintained with them.

Back to top