Harold Paulk Henderson, Sr. Oral History Collection

We are pleased to announce that the Harold Paulk Henderson, Sr. Oral History Collection, 1981-1994, is now open for research. The collection consists of oral history interviews conducted by Harold Paulk (Hal) Henderson, Sr., during his research for two monographs, The Politics of Change in Georgia: A Political Biography of Ellis Arnall (1991) and Ernest Vandiver, Governor of Georgia (2000). Series I documents the life of Georgia governor Ellis G. Arnall (1943-1947), the 1966 Georgia gubernatorial election, and U.S. Senator Herman E. Talmadge, his father (Eugene) and family, and politics in Georgia. Series II documents the political and personal life of Georgia governor S. Ernest Vandiver, Jr. (1959-1963) and includes discussion of notable events from his gubernatorial administration, such as public school integration and the Sibley Commission. This collection joins over 120 collections documenting public policymaking and political culture centered in Georgia available for research here at the Russell Library.

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No Other Road: 1953 Red and Black Editors Stand Up for Equality and Free Speech

In 2003, four courageous editors of the University of Georgia's newspaper, the Red and Black, (Walter Lundy, Bill Shipp, Priscilla Arnold, and Gene Britton) were reunited for the first time at the University of Georgia to reminisce, reflect, and provide critical insight. The public oral history program was the first in a new series sponsored by the Russell Library in association with the Foot Soldier Project for Civil Rights Studies. Dr. Maurice Daniels, social work professor, head of Foot Soldier Project, and scholar of civil rights history, and Dr. Kent Middleton, journalism professor and scholar of free speech and free press issues, directed questions; Harry Montevideo, publisher of The Red and Black, moderated the discussion.

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The Iris F. Blitch Papers

We are pleased to announce that the Iris F. Blitch Papers, 1954-1985 (bulk 1954-1962) are now open for research. A U.S. Representative from Georgia's Eighth District (southeast Georgia), Iris Blitch served for two terms, 1955-1963. As one of only fifteen women members (and the only southerner) in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1958, the challenges faced by Blitch and other females in Washington, as well as the public's perceptions, are well-documented throughout the papers. Blitch also sponsored and supported several bills relating to the environment and agriculture in Georgia.

View the Iris F. Blitch finding aid

A conversation with Bonnie Cella, author of Fixing the Moon

4:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 5, 2006
Russell Library Auditorium, University of Georgia Main Library

The Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies presented a conversation with Bonne Cella, author of the new book, Fixing the Moon: the Story of the First Presidential Pilot and Aviation Pioneer, Lt. Col. Henry Tift Myers and special guest, Henry Tift Myers, Jr. Author Bonne Cella recounted the exciting adventures of America 's first presidential pilot, Lt. Col. Henry Tift Myers. Through the dangerous years of World War II, Myers flew presidents, military leaders, members of Congress, and international heads-of-state around the globe, setting records for speed and distance. Lt. Col. Henry Tift was an eyewitness to some of the most pivotal events in modern history. Now through Bonne Cella's new book, you can experience them too. A reception and signing with the author followed the program.

Read the Press Release...
Read the Georgia Magazine article,"The Aviator"

Richard B. Russell Library's web site now featuring podcasts!

Beginning with our upcoming program "Oversight or Overlook? Intelligence in the Modern World," Russell Library will be providing free podcasts on its website for select programs.

For more information...

Oversight or Overlook? Intelligence in the Modern World

3:00 pm, Wednesday, March 8, 2006
The Chapel, University of Georgia

David M. Barrett provided a provocative account of relations between American spymasters and Capitol Hill in his recently published book, The CIA and Congress: The Untold Story from Truman to Kennedy. Barrett and a panel of UGA experts on modern intelligence gathering—Dr. Loch K. Johnson, co-author of Who's Watching The Spies?; Powell Moore (ABJ), senior congressional and presidential aide and Donald Rumsfeld's first Asst. Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs; and Dr. Michael C. Speckhard, CIA officer-in-residence, University of Georgia—discussed the structure of intelligence and questions of its oversight in light of current events.

A Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies Salon Event, presented in association with The Policy Forum, School of Policy and International Affairs. Generous support for this program was provided in part by the University of Georgia Alumni Association and the University of Georgia Libraries.

For more information...
Listen to the Podcast!

New hours for the Russell Library gallery

The Richard B. Russell Library announces a new weekend schedule for its exhibit gallery. Beginning with the first weekend in March 2006, the gallery will be open the first Saturday of each month from 1 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. and by appointment. Individuals and groups interested in arranging a Saturday tour of the Russell Gallery's current exhibit, “Power to the People! Rural Electrification in Georgia ” can contact Abigail Adams or Jill Severn at 706-542-5766, or via e-mail at russlib@uga.edu . Weekday hours for the gallery remain unchanged, open Monday–Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Upcoming Saturday hours for the gallery:
March 4th
April 1st
May 6th
June 3rd
July 1st
August 5th
September 2nd

Don't be Fuelish: A discussion on the 1973 United States Oil Embargo

Opened November 2005

An exhibit focusing on the policies and politics of the energy crisis of the 1970s and 1980s.

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Power to the People! Rural Electrification in Georgia

September 24, 2005-September 30, 2006

A major exhibit highlighting the Rural Electrification Administration and the arrival of electricity on farms and in other rural areas of Georgia and across the nation.

Read more about this exhibit and explore the wish lists...

William Armstrong Smith Papers

We are pleased to announce that the William Armstrong Smith Papers, 1966-1974, are now open for research. William Armstrong Smith was a Georgia state senator from the 34th District (Fulton County), from 1966 to 1974. The collection documents his career and to a lesser degree his campaigns as well as his continued interest in legislative matters after his senate career ended (1975-1978). An important aspect of the collection is correspondence Smith created after his senate career with Georgia politicians, including: Howard “Bo” Callaway, John J. Flynt, Jr., Wyche Fowler, Zell Miller, Sam Nunn, as well as with United States Presidents Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford and Richard Nixon.

View the William Armstrong Smith finding aid