Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

Papers of Howard W. Smith, Accession #8731-b, Special Collections, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.

Acquisition Information

This collection was a gift from Howard W. Smith on December 9, 1976.

Scope and Content

This addition to the Papers of Howard W. Smith consists of ca. 650 items, 1901-1973, including correspondence, speeches, statements and interviews, printed matter, memorabilia, photographs, blue prints for the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C. and a map of U.S. postal routes in Virginia. Most of the correspondence and subject files date primarily from 1961-1968 and deal with the 1966 primary campaign for Smith's renomination to his Congressional seat (in which he was defeated by George Rawlings) and with Virginia's Eighth Congressional District Democratic committees and conventions, 1961-1968. In addition, there is material on the Department of Health, Education and Welfare school desegregation guidelines (1966) and a folder of miscellaneous correspondence. Correspondents include political figures such as Albertis S. Harrison, Jr. and Mills E. Godwin, Jr., and other federal, state and local officials and Virginia Democratic Party leaders. There are also public opinion letters on school desegregation.

The speeches, statements and interviews range from 1933 to 1966. There are compilations of Smith's voting record in Congress (1932-1966) and mailing and voting lists, probably from ca. 1946-1964. The memorabilia, 1901-1971, includes several certificates, resolutions, commissions, diplomas and awards; identification cards; a pen used by the President   to sign H.R. 32220; medals from Democratic national conventions, 1960 and 1964; and, a resolution of the West Virginia House of Delegates on the death of Smith's sister, Lucy Montgomery Smith Price in October 1970.

Arrangement

When the collection was received, material was in no discernible order in the original folders. The original headings were retained. The collection is arranged by subject and is subarranged chronologically within each folder.