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H.R. (Harry R.) Haldeman Papers, White House Special Files, 01/20/1969 - 04/30/1973
976313  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Descriptive Summary
  • Access
  • Publication Rights
  • Preferred Citation
  • Acquisition Information
  • Biography/Administrative History
  • Scope and Content of Collection
  • Indexing Terms
  • Additional collection guides

  • Descriptive Summary

    Title: H.R. (Harry R.) Haldeman Papers, White House Special Files, 01/20/1969 - 04/30/1973
    Dates: 1969-1973
    Collection Number: 976313
    Creator/Collector: Haldeman, H. R. (Harry R.), 1926-1993
    Extent: 185 linear feet, 1 linear inch; 423 boxes
    Online items available
    Repository: Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
    Yorba Linda, California 92886
    Abstract: This series was created to document the activities of H. R. Haldeman as he carried out his duties as White House Chief of Staff. The series also includes the files of key staff members who worked under Haldeman.
    Language of Material: English

    Access

    Collection open for research. Some materials may be unavailable based upon categories of materials exempt from public release as 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

    H.R. (Harry R.) Haldeman Papers, White House Special Files, 01/20/1969 - 04/30/1973 . 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.

    Biography/Administrative History

    Harold Robbins "Bob" Haldeman was born on October 27, 1926 in Los Angeles, California. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserves from 1944 to 1946 and received a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1948. Later, from 1967 to 1968, he served as a Regent of the University of California. After graduating from UCLA, Haldeman worked as an Account Executive for the J. Walter Thompson Company in both their Los Angeles and New York City offices between 1949 and 1959. From 1960 through 1968, he held the title of Vice President and managed the Los Angeles office. Haldeman began his work on Richard Nixon's politican campaigns in 1956 as an Advance Man. In 1960, he was the Tour Manager for Nixon's Presidential campaign and then in 1962 as the Manager of Nixon's California Gubernatorial campaign. In 1968, Haldeman was the Chief of Staff of Nixon's Presidential campaign. From 1969 to early 1973, Haldeman was an Assistant to the President, serving as the Chief of Staff. Haldeman resigned from his position on April 30, 1973 under mounting pressure of the Watergate scandal. On January 1, 1978, he was convicted of conspiracy to obstruct justice and perjury for his role in Watergate. He served 18 months in Federal prison before being released on parole on December 20, 1978. Haldeman co-authored the 1978 book "The End of Power" with Joseph Di Mona about his experiences in the Nixon White House. The personal diaries he maintained while in the White House were published posthumously as "The Haldeman Diaries" in 1994, shortly after his death on November 12, 1993 in Santa Barbara, California.

    Scope and Content of Collection

    This series consists of eight subseries. The H. R. Haldeman Personal Files subseries consists of letters, carbon copies, electrostatic copies, audio-visual materials (photographs, dictabelts and cassettes), printed materials, preservation copies of newspaper clippings, cables and telegrams, handwritten notes (including those of meetings with the President, the Cabinet and his staff), voter registration materials, genealogy material and invitations to various events--accepted and declined. Subjects include television interviews ("The Today Show"), staff departures, the 1973 budget, reorganization of the Executive Branch, polls on the Vietnam ceasefire, Haldeman talking papers and announcements regarding appointments. The Alpha Name Files subseries consists of letters, memos, xerox copies, carbon copies of correspondence to staff members, Cabinet members and various other individuals. Subjects include the proposed Nixon Library, New York welfare difficulties, the telephone system in the White House, urban crises, the White House Library, Cabinet meetings, the President's reactions to daily news summaries and the moon landing. Additionally, there are materials related to social affairs at the White House, the Conference on American Youth Attitudes, Republican National Committee (RNC) matters, the 18 year-old vote, the Haynesworth nomination, fundraising, presidential salary and pension and the President's position on abortion. Other topics include placement of defeated candidates, leaks, use of milk producers money, revenue sharing, media coverage, campus opposition, Supersonic Transport (SST)/Aerospace, presidential accessibility, cost saving ideas, anti-war demonstrations, Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) wives, White House worship services, Eisenhower dollars, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) trip, Watergate and the 1972 campaign. The Alpha Subject Files subseries consists of letters, memoranda, handwritten notes, carbon copies, news service wires and Haldeman's confidential subject files. Subjects include the President's Africa trip, political planning and strategy, speechwriting problems, defense purchases, International Telephone and Telegraph (ITT), the administrations position on Vietnam, international economic policy, revenue sharing, the Secret Service, federal judgeships and letters to supporters of the administration's Vietnam policy. Additionally, there are materials related to ambassadors and their appointments, the President's support of the Arts, black caucus, the 1968 bombing halt, Cambodia, the 1972 campaign, the President's China trip, the Committee of Six-Ervin Committee, goals for the first term, election reform, funeral activities for Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Inaugural Committee, labor policy and weekly news summaries. Other topics include Nixon's political philosophy, the Pentagon Papers, access to documents for Daniel Ellsberg, the energy crisis, school desegregation, staff privileges, drafts of speeches and talking papers. The Chronological Files subseries consists of carbon copies of all outgoing letters from Haldeman that were written by his staff, primarily Larry Higby. There are also letters and memoranda to and from President Nixon, George J. Collins, John W. Dean, Larry M. Higby, Bruce A. Kehrli, John N. Mitchell, Gordon C. Strachan and the staff secretary. The Larry Higby Files subseries consists of telephone logs, handwritten notes, reading files and subject files. Subjects include personnel and administrative matters, transition issues, tax reform, SST, the Richard Nixon Library, anti-war demonstrations, polls, Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) policy, Watergate, the Soviet wheat deal, Committee to Re-Elect the President (CREP) funds, fundraising, postal reform, leaks to the press and executive pay cuts. Additionally, there are materials related to the Washington D. C. Crime Bill, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) control, milk producers, gun control, busing, the White House taping system, wage and price control, the Pentagon Papers, congressional relations, news summaries, ITT, the gift tax, political contributions and campaign strategies. The 1960 Campaign Files consists of pre-presidential materials related to Nixon's 1960 campaign for president. All materials have been returned to Haldeman. The 1962 Campaign Files consists of pre-presidential materials related to Nixon's 1962 campaign for governor of California. All materials have been returned to Haldeman. The 1972 Presidential Election Campaign Files subseries consists of memos, handwritten notes, and carbon and electrostatic copies. Subjects include Democratic contenders, the Republican National Convention, control of RNC finances, the RNC chairmanship, political intelligence, polls, political strategies, the Republican primaries, Daniel Ellsberg, leaks, convention operations, activities at the Democratic National Committee (DNC), Democrats for Nixon and Youth for Nixon. Additionally, there are materials related to milk producers, fundraising, the CREP budget, voter registration, the black vote, black Nixon supporters, the women's vote, political briefings (by state), political enemies, political dirty tricks, the National Election Media Plan, senate races, the "Dump Agnew" and "Dump Nixon" movements, bankers, academicians, and business, cultural, religious and intellectual leaders. Other topics include publishers, editors, the spokesman resources program, national telephone surveys, Gordon C. Strachan reports to Haldeman and Jeb S. Magruder's project.

    Indexing Terms

    Haldeman, H. R. (Harry R.), 1926-1993
    Bob Haldeman
    Harry Robbins Haldeman
    Harold Robbins Haldeman
    Chief of Staff, Nixon Presidential Administration
    Chief of Staff, Nixon 1968 Presidential Election Campaign
    Campaign Manager, Nixon 1962 Gubernatorial Campaign
    Chief of Advance Men, Nixon 1960 Presidential Campaign
    Advance Man, Nixon 1956 Vice Presidential Campaign

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