Farrell (Michael J.) Papers, White House Special Files, 1969-1974, 1969-1974

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Summary

Title:
Michael J. Farrell Papers, White House Special Files, 1969-1974
Dates:
1969-1974
Creators:
Farrell, Michael J. (Michael John), 1937-1999
Abstract:
Extent:
1 linear foot, 4 linear inches; 3 boxes
Language:
Preferred citation:

Michael J. Farrell Papers, White House Special Files, 1969-1974. Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum

Background

Scope and content:

The materials of Michael J. Farrell cover the years 1969-74. During this Period, Farrell served first as Staff Assistant to the President in the Office of White House Visitors (1969-71) and then as Special Assistant to the President to the President in the same office (1971-74. Materials of John S. Davies, Farrell's predecessor as Special Assistant, are included. The chief responsibility of the Office of White House Visitors was to arrange White House tours and visitor related special events. The series contains the Memoranda subseries, the Personnel Records subseries, and the Tour Reservation Files subseries. The Memoranda subseries is divided into Presidential Memoranda and First Family Memoranda files. The Presidential Memoranda contains original and copies of memoranda concerning various White House Visitors Office functions directly related to President Richard M. Nixon, particularly the acceptance of gifts from the public. The First Family Memoranda files contain memoranda to the First Lady, which are annotated with her replies. These relate to specific projects under her direction, such as candlelight tours of the White House, the Annual Easter Egg Roll, and summer cruises on the Presidential yacht, the Sequoia. The Personnel Records subseries contains resumes of applicants for positions on the White House staff and miscellaneous memoranda about members of the existing staff. The Tour Reservation Files subseries contains original of tour reservations sheets and documents the system of ticket allotment used for White House tours. The White House Central Files, Staff Member and Office Files contain an additional 13 cubic feet of Farrell materials. The Late Accretions File contains less than a foot. On September 12, 1974, the Office of Presidential Papers and Archives recorded an exit interview with Farrell upon his departure from the Nixon White House staff.

Biographical / historical:

Michael John Farrell was born on February, 19, 1937 in Peoria, Illinois. He attended the University of Illinois and graduated with a B.S. degree in 1960. Between 1960 and 1969, he worked at U.S. Steel Corporation as a Commercial Representative. In 1969, Farrell began his tenure with the federal government. Farrell was hired as a White House Visitors Office Staff Assistant to President Richard Nixon. He held the position during the years 1969-1971. He then became Special Assistant to the President in the same office until Nixon’s resignation in August 1974. Farrell stayed on as Director of the White House Visitors Office under President Gerald Ford until 1977. Following his time as a White House staffer, Farrell returned to the private sector. By 1991, he was an administrator at Wheelabrator Technologies, Inc. in Exeter, New Hampshire. In April 1991, Education Secretary, Lamar Alexander, appointed Farrell Deputy Assistant Secretary for Student Financial Aid. Farrell also served as Interim Assistant Secretary for Post-Secondary Education but he remained with the Education Department for less than a year before resigning in November 1991. Michael Farrell died on May 11, 1999 in San Francisco, California.

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.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum staff.
Date Prepared:
1969-1974
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

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.

Terms of access:

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:

Michael J. Farrell Papers, White House Special Files, 1969-1974. Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum

Location of this collection:
18001 Yorba Linda Blvd.
Yorba Linda, CA 92886, US
Contact:
(714) 983-9120
nixon@nara.gov
Website