Susan A. Porter Papers, White House Central Files, 1969-1974

1969-1974


Descriptive Summary

Title: Susan A. Porter Papers, White House Central Files, 1969-1974
Dates: 1969-1974
Collection Number: 6213064
Creator/Collector: Porter, Susan, appointments secretary
Extent: 22 linear feet, 4 linear inches, 51 boxes
Repository: Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
Abstract: Susan A. Porter served as the Assistant Director of Correspondence for Mrs. Nixon (1971-72), Assistant to Appointments Secretary to Mrs. Nixon (197273), and Appointments Secretary to Mrs. Nixon (1973-74). The file group documents the activities of the First Lady’s Appointments Office from 1969 to 1974. These files also contain the records of Coral F. Schmid and Stephanie A. Wilson, who ran the Appointments Office during the first Nixon administration.. Within the collection, the Scheduling and Activities series provides a complete record of the First Family events, calendars, and affiliations while the Subject File series deals with topics and projects of interest to the First Lady.
Language of Material: English

Access

Collection is open for research. Some materials may be unavailable based upon categories of materials exempt from public release established in the Presidential Recordings and Materials Preservation Act of 1974.

Publication Rights

Most government records are in the public domain; however, this series includes commercial materials, such as newspaper clippings, that may be subject to copyright restrictions. Researchers should contact the copyright holder for information.

Preferred Citation

Susan A. Porter Papers, White House Central Files, 1969-1974. Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum

Acquisition Information

These materials are in the custody of the National Archives and Records Administration under the provisions of Title I of the Presidential Recordings and Materials Preservation Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-526, 88 Stat. 1695) and implementing regulations.

Scope and Content of Collection

The Susan A. Porter file group documents the activities of the First Lady's Appointments Office from 1969 through 1974. During the first administration (1969-1973) the office was primarily run by Coral F. Schmid and Stephanie A. Wilson, under the guidance of Chief of Staff, Constance C. Stuart. Susan Porter took over the office on January 22, 1973 and continued as Appointments Secretary until the President's resignation in August 1974. She continued at the White House as Mrs. Ford's Appointments Secretary until 1977. The administrative changeover in 1973 is most clearly evident in the change in the filing arrangement in the Correspondence File series, from chronological in the first term to alphabetical in the second. The Appointments Office was in charge of scheduling events for Mrs. Nixon, Julie and David Eisenhower and Tricia and Edward Cox. The office, in collaboration with First Family members, constructed the official calendars and responded to invitations from organizations and individuals desiring the presence of a member of the First Family at an event, or the use of their name as chairman or member of an organization. The most important series in the collection are Scheduling and Activities, which provides a complete record of First Family events, calendars, and affiliations; and the Subject File, which deals with topics and projects of interest to the First Lady. Also of interest is the Invitations series, which includes extensive outgoing correspondence in answer to invitations received in the First Lady's office. The Briefing Books series, while potentially of great interest, contains much classified material and is mostly restricted at this time. Further material of interest can be found in the files of Lucy A. Winchester, Gwendolyn B. King and the White House Special Files. Taped exit interviews with Constance Stuart, Penelope A. Adams, William R. Codus and notes from an interview with Coral Schmid will also prove informative. In addition, an oral history program has recently begun which will include former members of the First Lady's office. The extensive photographic, film and video collection contained in the Nixon presidential materials has much material documenting the activities of the First Lady. Also available are audio recordings of Mrs. Nixon and Constance Stuart taped by the White House Communications Agency.