Inventory of State Gubernatorial Archives (Kansas through New Mexico)

Kentucky

Civil War Governors of Kentucky
The Civil War Governors of Kentucky is an NEH- and NHPRC-funded digital humanities project built around the papers of the five Union and Confederate governors of the state, 1860-65. CWGK invites public discussion about the interaction of the executive branch and citizens in the mid-19th century. The project records the diverse and largely unknown lives of tens of thousands of Kentuckians, and opens new windows onto overlooked local and personal Civil War stories. In 2016, CWGK published 10,000 searchable images and transcriptions, with a more extensive system of annotation and social networking to come in 2017.

The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives
The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives maintains an online archive of governors from 1996-2006 that were, at one time, on the websites of the respective governors. Included are text, audio and images on the following categories: inaugurations, the Kentucky Derby, photographs, media events and conference, press releases, speeches and website snapshots.

The Kentuckiana Digital Library
The Kentuckiana Digital Library includes images of official Governor portraits, the Governor’s mansion and the governor going about the business of the state. Also included are newspaper clippings, but without descriptions, a researcher would have to go through the newspapers individually to find information. The library also maintains the “Governor’s official correspondence file – executive journals, 1792-1808”. The site also provides access to the University of Kentucky’s Oral History Project. Interviews with audio and transcript are available for Governor Edwards T. Breathitt (1963-1967). The Kentucky Legislature Oral History Project database has interviews with Governors Wendell Ford (1971-1974) and Julian Carro (1974-1979). Simple layout and easy to use website.

The University of Louisville Oral History Project
The University of Louisville Oral History Project has a non-digitized interview with Governor Bert Combs (1959-1963) (15 minutes).

Kentucky Historical Society
The Kentucky Historical Society has a digital archive that includes approximately 200 items related to the Office of the governor including official Governor portraits, photos, some primary documents including reports and speeches as well as extensive photos of the Governor’s mansion.

The University of Louisville Digital Archives
The University of Louisville Digital Archives has a database of pictures and portraits of state governors. Numerous primary documents turned up in a search for “Governor” in the online catalog, but without descriptions, a researcher would have to go through each result individually. Good resource for images.

Louisiana

Louisiana State Archives
The Louisiana State Archives is a division of the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office mandated to identify, collect, preserve and make available those records and artifacts of the state’s history. Its Governors Collection includes an excellent multimedia archive of video clips converted from films and newsreels of governors going back to the 1930s, including stump speeches of colorful governors such as Huey Long (1928-1932) and Earl Long (1939-1940) (e.g. Hearst Metrotone News: “Death Plot Can’t Faze Huey Long- The Kingfish Takes Charge on Baton Rouge Front as Louisiana Seethes”). This is an excellent, interesting site.

Louisiana State Library
State documents pertaining to the Office of the governor are available through the State Library. A PDF catalog that lists official available documents since 1948 can be downloaded and instructions for obtaining archival material from the Library is available on the website.

The Long Legacy Project
A separate website is maintained for Huey Long by the Long Legacy Project through which pictures and information regarding his time as Governor (1928-1932) can be accessed.

Tulane University
Tulane University maintains the non-digitized archival papers of Governors David Treen Baron Hector de Carondelet (1792-1795), William Charles Cole Claiborne (1802-1815), Manuel Gayoso de Lemos (1797-1799), Luther E. Hall (1918), Sam Houston Jones (1939-1968), Francis Tillou Nicholls (1847-1893), and the William B. Wisdom Collection on Huey Pierce Long. Instructions for obtaining archival material from the University is available on the website.

Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University maintains the political papers of family members related to prominent Louisiana politicians; of particular interest are those pertaining to the Long family including Governors Huey Long (1928-1932) and Earl Long (1939-1940). Standard finding aids are available for download as PDF along with instructions on how to obtain the non-digitized material from the University.

Maine

The Columbia University Oral History Project
The Columbia University Oral History Project maintains non-digitized interviews (called “Reminiscences”) with Governor Carl Elias Milliken (1917-1921) from 1950.

The Maine State Library
The Maine State Library is the official repository for non-digitized State agency publications. A search for “Governor” among the official government documents yielded 430 results on all topics, including jobs, fisheries, energy, health, transcripts of hearings and speeches, legislative minutes, etc. The Library maintains a non-digitized archive for Governor Percival Proctor Baxter (1921-1925). “The Baxter Collection includes the personal papers, letters, and scrapbooks left to the Maine State Library by former Governor Percival Proctor Baxter (1876-1969). Subjects emphasized are Maine state government, conservation, and the history and development of Baxter State Park. The collection has its own special catalog as well as a printed guide. Percival Proctor Baxter was Governor of Maine (1921- 1925), a conservationist, and a preserver of Maine’s mountains and forests through his gifts of the lands which now comprise Baxter State Park.” Instructions for obtaining material from the library are available on the website.

The Maine Historical Society
The Maine Historical Society maintains and online database of archival material that can be searched through for documents pertaining to the office of the governor. It is a work in progress. Among the digitized documents a search for “Governor” yielded 901 records including, 186 object records, 532 archive records, 183 photo records. Objects consist mainly of memorabilia from campaigns, pictures of furniture used by the Governor and a drawing. The catalog of objects has more descriptions for objects whose images have not yet been uploaded, but even without the image, a researcher can still find out what is in the collection. Archive records have descriptions but no images yet uploaded yet. Archive records are document sets from governors across the United States and must be searched through for relating directly to Maine. Items are clearly labeled with good descriptions. Excellent website, easy to use.

The Maine Memory Network
The Maine Memory Network, also run for the Historical Society, is a repository for digitized resources. A special exhibit of Maine’s first governor has 13 records including documents and pictures. A search for “Governor” yielded 524 records including pictures, letters, handwritten speeches, and even troop instructions from 1721 accompanied by a full transcript of the document available for download as PDF.

Maryland

The University of Maryland
The University of Maryland has the non-digitized papers of Governor Spiro T. Agnew (1967-1969). The catalog indicates that all the documents are pertaining to Agnew’s interaction with the University during the student riots of the late 1960s. It also maintains an archive of papers for governors William Preston Lane (1947-1951), Marvin Mandel (1969-1979), Theodore r. McKeldin (1951-1959), Albert Ritchie (1920-1935), Thomas Swann (1866-1869), Edwin Warfield (1904-1908), Philips Lee Goldsborough (1912-1916), William Thomas Hamilton (1880-1884), John Howard (1788-1791) and Thomas Pratt (1845-1848). Finding aids are available for download and instructions on obtaining the materials from the university are available online.

The Maryland State Archives
The Maryland State Archives has digitized and non-digitized resources available. A search for “Governor” yielded more than 1.6 million results, including official government documents, press clippings and correspondence, most of which are available for viewing or download directly from the website. Individual pages are maintained for the governors in the archive’s “biological series,” but the governors must be searched for individually and no “governor” page with a list of governors could be located. Each page typically has a “Biography” section; “Images” a collection of digitized and non-digitized “Sources” (including links to books, articles, official government documents and correspondence from the governor’s time in office); and “Related Collections” (which includes information regarding archived materials held in Maryland where available). In general the website is easy to navigate, but search parameters are limited, material is bountiful and sifting through it is a big task.

A separate archive for governors from 1634-1867 is also maintained by the State Archives. Not every Governor has an individual page (like that described above) and those that do have limited information, available in either a digitized or non-digitized form. The Archives also maintains an online museum with ongoing special exhibits, some directly relating to the office of the governor.

The Maryland Center for History and Culture
The Maryland State Historical Society maintains an online archive of over 800,000 pictures arranged by subject matter, though the majority are not directly related to governors.

The Center also maintains a non-digitized archive of family papers from two governors: Henry Lloyd (1885-1888) and Charles Carnan Ridgely (1816-1819). There is no finding aid, but a search for “Governor” in the library’s catalog yielded 919 results from Maryland’s history as far back as the end of the 18th century. Archival material is available for governors from other states as well. An initial search found material for “Maine”, North Carolina” and “Virginia.” Although the catalog is non-digitized it is easy to use and the archival material has excellent descriptions. Information for obtaining the document from the Historical Society’s library is available online.

Massachusetts

The Massachusetts State Library Digital Collections
The State Library digital collections maintain state documents dating back to the 1600s. A search for “Governor” yielded thousands of results. The vast majority of the documents are Executive Orders from the office of the governor. The documents range from the years 1663 to 2010. The library’s open source program, “DSpace”, stores documents that have already been digitized, but the project is a work in progress. Good website, easy to navigate.

Jonathan Belcher Collection, Princeton University
Princeton University maintains the Jonathan Belcher Collection, the colonial governor of Massachusetts (1730-1741), as well as New Jersey (1747-57). “The papers consist of correspondence, articles, clippings, and copies of original materials from Belcher collections held at Princeton and elsewhere. Topics covered include Belcher’s contributions to the foundations of the college library, the preservation of the Belcher Mansion in Elizabeth, and representations of Belcher in portraits and prints.”

The Massachusetts Archives
The Massachusetts Archives maintains the Massachusetts Archives Collection (also known as the “Felt Collection”). This collection (covering 1629-1799) “includes original records of the governor, Council, General Court, secretary, and treasurer, and is an important source of records for early Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire… Topics covered by the collection range from international affairs to local and individual concerns. Records reflect the activities of the governor and General Court within the framework of the British empire, focusing on Massachusetts’s relations with London, other British colonies, the French colonial government in Canada, and the Indian nations in New England and New York. They document the prosecution of military actions and negotiations for peace. Treasury records, census schedules, tax lists, judicial actions, and legislative orders provide the opportunity to study the administrative functions of the colonial/provincial government. Additionally, many volumes trace the General Court’s involvement with localities and individuals. Documents range from tavern licenses, divorce petitions, and land grants to records pertaining to the compensation for the loss of a horse or the siting of a meeting house. The collection also documents the lives of significant persons.” The collection is divided into 328 numbered volumes arranged loosely by topic. A searchable database/index for the material is available online.

The Massachusetts Archives also holds a large number of other gubernatorial records from the state, particularly from the 19th and 20th centuries. These records are searchable via ArchiveGrid.

The Massachusetts Historical Society
The Massachusetts Historical Society has an online archive a materials relating to the Office of the governor. A search for “Governor” yielded over 12,000, but the vast majority were from the digitized papers of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, who did not serve as Governor, but did represent the state in other affairs. Results pertaining to the Governor were less extensive and must by search for from within the mass of Adams’ papers. Some successful results included such an image of Governor William Dummer, painted on a piece of copper from the 18th century and “Authorization of payment from Massachusetts Governor Francis Bernard to Andrew Oliver, 10 December 1766.” Overall, the website is limited for Massachusetts governors.

Northeastern University
Northeastern University maintains the collected papers of Governor John Volpe (1960-1962, 1964-1968). They are not available to view online, though a finding aid is available and instruction for obtaining archival material from the University can be accessed through the website.

The State Library
The State Libarary also maintains a massive collection of government documents online, grouped together by topic, including “Public Officers of the Commonwealth” (which includes images of public officer holders,) “Election statistics” (dating back from 1890) and the “Massachusetts Registers” (volumes of lists of those who served in any public office or had any public role in the state). But there is no separate search engine for these documents, so a researcher would have to use the library catalog, which includes everything in the library across all collections, not just those specific to government documents. Researchers must go to each individual topic and search for materials pertaining to the office of the governor.

The University of Massachusetts Special Collections
The UMass special collections have limited digital and non-digitized archival material covering Governor Benjamin Franklin Butler (1818-1893) which includes a series of political cartoons featured in the press regarding Butler, seven of which can be viewed online.

Zimmer Index and Digitalization Project
The State library also maintains the Zimmer Index and Digitalization Project, a card index of current events from 1878. Events covered include: “Obituaries (the largest topic covered), Political conventions, platforms, and events, Speeches and letters of prominent persons, especially from Massachusetts, Dedications of memorials and buildings, news of taxation, strikes, riots, wars, floods, etc, Visits from foreign dignitaries”as well as articles from all the local Boston papers as well as papers from surrounding cities and states. The collection has 200,000 digitized cards. A search for “Governor” yielded 272 results that included material on “appointments and transfers” and Governor’s commission on a variety of topics, and events such as “Bradford vetoes death penalty” and order for martial law. The vast majority of cards were pertaining to Governor Edward King (1979-1983).

Michigan

University of Michigan Historical Collections
University of Michigan historical collections contains the papers of 34 governors including Stevens T. Mason, Frank Murphy, G. Mennen Williams, George Romney, William Milliken, James Blanchard, and John Engler. Finding aids are available, but non of the collections are digitalized.

The University of Michigan Bentley Image Bank
The Bentley Image Bank has over 100 results for “Governor” most of which are individual photo portraits (some of the older pictures are hand drawn illustrations) of the Governor. There are a handful of “action” shots, which include, “Governor Frank Murphy with his Law-and-Order Committee, February 1937” and “Arrival of the Honorable Chase S. Osborn, governor of Michigan, and the Honorable John Ross, Lieutenant governor of Michigan, at the Capitol preceding inauguration, January 1, 1911.”

The Michigan Digital State Archives
The Michigan digital state archive maintains an online database of every governor’s official portrait or photo. A link to where more archival material, if available, is also provided. Material is limited and most links lead to non-digitized archives (from a university or state library collection).

Minnesota

The Minnesota Historical Society
The Minnesota Historical Society maintains archival material relating to the office of governor. A list of all the governors along with basic biographical information is provided in addition to links for “personal papers” and “official governor’s records” where available. Finding aids and information for obtaining the material from the Society is available online. A search for “Governor” in the Society’s catalog yielded over 1,291 non-digitized results. Many of the results were official documents. Other results included oral histories, objects, notes and collected papers. Information for obtaining materials from the Historical Society is available on the website. Descriptions are detailed and the website is easy to use.

The University of Minnesota Library
The University of Minnesota library maintains non-digitized archival material for Governors Harold LeVander (1967-1971) and John Sargent Pillsbury (1876-1882). The LeVander collections contains 14 volumes of law school notebooks from the Governor’s time at the University of Minnesota Law School and Pillsbury paper contains correspondences and land dealing primarily with the University. Finding aids and information for obtaining the material from the University is available online.

The Minnesota Digital Library
The Minnesota Digital Library maintains an online database of archival material. A search for “Governor” yielded 139 results, many of which were digital copies of official government documents. Other results included old photographs of past governors and letters.

Mississippi

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History
The Mississippi Department of Archives and History has a digitized collection of photos from photographer Winifred Moncrief that includes photos pertaining to the inauguration of Governor Paul B. Johnson (1964-1968). Searching the Mississippi Archives online catalog yielded almost 2,100 results that include 265 digitized resources made up of primarily photographs (from the Moncrief collection) but also some audio of speeches and a few government documents. Non-digitized results include archival materials for many of the state governors including letters, personal papers and family papers starting in the late 1700s and ending in the 1980s. The archives also maintain a large collection of non-digitized papers from the Confederate era. Information for obtaining the material from the archives is available online. The descriptions are well written and the search engine is user-friendly, but little material can be accessed online.

The Mississippi Digital Library
A search for “Governor” in the archives of The Mississippi Digital Library yielded over 300 results including photographs, campaign literature, political cartoons, letters,and transcripts of oral histories (although most are not directly related to the Governor). The website is easy to use and the descriptions are excellent.

The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi maintains a special collection of non-digitized archival material that includes, Inaugural addresses of the governors (1817-1980); manuscript materials including papers for Governors Theodore G. Bilbo (1916-1920, 1928-1932) and Paul B. Johnson Jr (1964-1968)., the letters of Governors David Holmes (1809–1820, 1826), Gerard Chittocque Brandon (1825-1826, 1826-1832), Alexander G. McNutt (1838-1842), John Anthony Quitman (1835–1836, 1850–1851), Henry S. Foote(1852–1854), Ridgely C. Powers(1871-1874) , John Marshall Stones (1876-1882, 1890-1896), and the oral histories (part of the Mississippi Oral History Program) for Governor Ross R. Barnett (1960-1964) and First Lady Carroll Waller. Natives of Mississippi who worked with or encountered governors can also have their stories accessed from the oral histories main page. Information for obtaining archival material from the University is available online.

Jackson State University
Jackson State University has a handful of digitized documents pertaining to the Governor’s interaction with the University after a campus shooting in 1970s.

The Mississippi State Library
The Mississippi State Library maintains archival material and a search for “Governor” in the library catalog yielded 128 results, the majority being official government documents (such as speeches and reports). The collection is limited and non-digitized.

Missouri

Missouri Digital Heritage
The Missouri Digital Heritage site maintains digitized archival material on six Governors: Benjamin Gratz Brown (1871-1873); Claiborne Fox Jackson (1861); Hamilton Rowan Gambl (1861–1864); Joseph Washington McClurg (1869-1871); Thomas Clement Fletcher (1865-1869); and Willard Preble Hall (1864-1865). This ranks among the best websites reviewed.

The Missouri State University
The Missouri State University maintains a collection of “46 Photographs and three pages of reference material. Photographs are black and white, 8″ x 10″ of Missouri governors from 1820 to 1984.” The collections is non-digitized but information for obtaining the material from the university is available online.

The Missouri State Library
The Missouri State Library maintains a limited collection of non-digitized archival material pertaining to the former governors. The collection includes the papers of Governor Sam Aaron Baker (1925-1929); the family Bible of Governor James Thomas Blair, Jr (1957-1961).; papers from Governor Christopher Bond (1973-1977, 1981-1985); items for Lt. Governor John A. Lee; Three Christmas cards sent by Governor Warren B. Hearnes (1965-1973) from 1964-1973; and an original copy of the 1896 book “Life and writings of Governor Charles Henry Hardin/by his wife Mary Barr Hardin.” User friendly website with excellent descriptions. Information for obtaining the material from the library is available online.

The Missouri History Museum
The Missouri History Museum maintains a digital collection of historical material. A search for Governor yielded 752 results which includes photographs (the majority are of Dick Gephardt), furniture, newspaper clippings, and historical documents. Good website, easy to use.

The State Historical Society of Missouri
The State Historical Society of Missouri maintains at least 18 volumes of The Messages and Proclamations of the Governors of The State of Missouri of which 10 are available for viewing online.

Montana

The Montana Historical Society’s Research Center
The Montana Historical Society’s Research Center maintains non-digitized archival material. A search for “Governor” in the society’s catalog yielded 691 results, the vast majority of which are official government documents, especially from the late 20th century. Also included, however, are photographs, collected papers, and original speeches. Information for obtaining the material from the Society is available online

The Montana Digital Archives
The Montana Digital Archives maintains the official government documents of the state archives. A search for Governor yielded over 800 results from various time periods, categories, and document types.

The Montana Memory Project
The Montana Memory Project has an online digital library with archival material and a search for Governor yielded 254 results from 1889-1962. Information pertaining directly to governors is limited and much of the material lacks descriptions and must be viewed for scope of content.

The Montana State Library
The Montana State Library maintains non-digitized archival material including, “Montana Governor’s Patronage Requests. Applications, letters, and petitions for patronage, 1900-1901”; The William Woodward Family Papers (1885-1936) which includes six personal letters from Governor John E. Rickards (1893-1897); and The Lewis W. Fenske, Sr. Letter collection (1925-1948) which contains a letter from Governor Sam C. Ford (1941-1949). Easy to use website, with good descriptions. Finding aids and information for obtaining the material from the library is available online.

The University of Montana
The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library at the University of Montana maintains a digital photo database that has two photos relating to former governors: “Governor John E. Erickson addressing a crowd at Bozeman, Montana, circa 1949” and “President Taft.”

Nebraska

The Nebraska State Historical Society
The Nebraska State Historical Society maintains the non-digitized archives of state governors from 1854-2005. Detailed finding aids are available for downloading and information for obtaining material from the Society is on the website.

The Nebraska Public Documents
The Nebraska Public Documents site maintains official digitized government documents – mostly agency reports – from 1891 to 1956. A search for Governor yielded over 800 results. Most of the documents are annual reports and speeches delivered before Congress. Website is user friendly and contains a wealth of official (but not personal) information.

Lincoln City Libraries of Nebraska
Nebraska’s Lincoln City Libraries maintain a non-digitized “vertical file” of over 1,300 newspaper clippings that features the following Governors: J. Sterling Morton (1858), Samuel McKelvie (1919-1923), Dwight Griswold (1941-1947), Val Peterson ([1947-1953), Robert Crosby (1953-1955), Victor Emanuel Anderson (1955-1959), Ralph Brooks (1959-1960), Dwight Burney (1960-1961), Frank Morrison (1961-1967), Norbert Tiemann (1967-197), J. James Exon (1971-1979), Charles Thone (1979-1983), Robert Kerrey (1983-1987), Kay Orr (1987-1991), and Ben Nelson (1991-1999). The library also has a microfilm reel with clippings about Governors Victor A. Anderson(1955-1959); Ralph G. Brooks (1959-1960); and Robert L. Cochran (1935-1941). Information for obtaining materials from the library is available.

The Nebraska Newspaper Project
The Nebraska Newspaper Project is an undertaking on behalf of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln to digitize all local papers; the database currently runs up until 1923. The website has a wealth of material, a search for Governor yielded over 28,000 results. The results have no descriptions – they simply list the paper and the date – and to find material relevant to former governors a researcher would have to go through each PDF page individually.

Nevada

The Nevada State Library and Archives
The Nevada State Library and Archives maintains the non-digital archival material of State governors from 1861-1999. A brief biography and detailed finding aids are available for viewing online and for download. Information for containing material from the state library and archives is available online. Good site and easy to use webpage.

The University of Nevada at Reno
The University of Nevada at Reno has non-digitized archival material relating to the Governor including: letters, papers, scrapbooks, reports and a transcript of an interview with the wife of Nevada governor (1915-1922) Emmet Derby Boyle (“Summary Interview by Grace Danberg. Recollections of household hardships in Virginia City, Nevada, and in the governor’s mansion in Carson City”). The website is easy to use but results pertaining to the Governor must be searched through. Descriptions are well written and instructions for obtaining material are available online. Note: Scattered among the documents is some archival material (one or two search results, mostly old, out-of-print books or speeches) for California, Wyoming, Virginia and Ohio.

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas has non-digitized archival material and relating to the office of the governor including: “Ann Brewington’s correspondence regarding her sister Ida Brewington Pittman, wife of Vail Pittman, Governor of Nevada from 1945-51”; “Newspaper clippings of events that occurred and decisions made during [Governor E.P.] Carville’s time as governor of Nevada in 1941”; Governor’s Commission on Status of People” This collection is on the Commission on the Status of People which was formerly called Commission of the Status of Women, established in 1965 by Governor Grant Sawyer. Governor Mike O’Callaghan requested the Commission to investigate state laws that adversely affect Nevadans. The Commission was appointed from 1975 – 1977 and this collection contains the reports and a variety of documents pertaining to the Commission and several publications from other states concerning the status of women”; “Governor’s Conference on Nevada Libraries: Collection is comprised of a scrapbook pertaining to the Governor’s Conference on Nevada Libraries—correspondence re: funding and planning, newspaper clippings about available library services, copies of sample questionnaires for patrons and radio public service announcements”; “Scrapbook of Cathy List, wife of Nevada Governor Bob List , covering their years in the governor’s mansion, 1977-1980”; and “news clippings about Ida Brewington Pittman’s husband Vail, who was governor of Nevada 1945-1950. The collection also contains letters of condolences over Vail Pittman’s death, original speeches from the Vail Pittman Elementary School’s dedication, copies of resolutions, an inaugural invitation, some financial notes, travel papers, address lists, and notes about phone calls.” Detailed finding aids and information for accessing the material from the University is available online.

The Oral History Project at the University of Nevada at Reno
The Oral History Project at the University of Nevada at Reno has interviews with former governors, political staffers, family members and Nevadans who encountered governors or have reminisced about them. There is a wealth of information on the site.

New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Secretary of State
The New Hampshire Secretary of State maintains the non-digitized archives of governors’ messages and letters. An alphabetized list of finding aids outlining the contents of the collection is available for download but there is no search engine available to enable a researcher to limit a search to archival material related to the office of the governor. Rather, each finding aid must be downloaded and read through individually.

The New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources
The New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources website has a brief biography of State governors with their official portrait. There are no primary documents or archival material on this website.

The Massachusetts State Archives
The Maine state archives maintains non-digitized archival volumes, called the “Felt Collection” from 1629-1799 that “includes original records of the governor, Council, General Court, secretary, and treasurer, is an important source of records for early Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire… Topics covered by the collection range from international affairs to local and individual concerns. Records reflect the activities of the governor and General Court within the framework of the British empire, focusing on Massachusetts’s relations with London, other British colonies, the French colonial government in Canada, and the Indian nations in New England and New York. They document the prosecution of military actions and negotiations for peace. Treasury records, census schedules, tax lists, judicial actions, and legislative orders provide the opportunity to study the administrative functions of the colonial/provincial government. Additionally, many volumes trace the General Court’s involvement with localities and individuals. Documents range from tavern licenses, divorce petitions, and land grants to records pertaining to the compensation for the loss of a horse or the sitting of a meeting house. The collection also documents the lives of significant persons.” The collection is divided by time period – Colonial Period (1629-1686), Intercharter Period (1686-1692), Provincial Period (1692-1774), Provincial Congresses (1774-1775), Revolutionary Period (1775-1780), Early Statehood Period (1780-1799) – and includes information on the governors from each period. A finding aid for the material and information for obtaining from the library is available online.

The University of New Hampshire
The University of New Hampshire maintains non-digitized archives that include the administrative papers of the following Governors: David L. Morril (1824-1827); Samuel Dinsmoor (1831-1834); Henry Hubbard (1842-1844); Ralph Metcalf (1855-18577); Joseph A. Gilmore (1863-1865); Frederick Smyth (1865-1867); Stearns Onslow (1869-1871); Person C. Cheney (1875-1877); Benjamin F. Prescott (1877-1879); Natt Head (1879-1881); Charles H. Bell (1881-1883); Samuel W. Hale (1883-1885); Moody Currier (1885-1887); Samuel D. Felker (1913-1915) and Fred H. Brown (1923-1925) as well as some personal documents from Henry Brewer Quniby (1909-1911).

The New Hampshire Library
The New Hampshire Library maintains non-digitized archival material. A search for ‘Governor’ in the library catalog yielded 352 results, including official government documents, biographies and autobiographies and letters. The collection also had at least one listing for archival material pertaining to governors of Illinois, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Maine, Wisconsin, Louisiana and North Carolina (not all 352 results were viewed individually – this list is not exhaustive). Information for material from the library is available online.

The New Hampshire Historical Society
The New Hampshire Historical Society’s online catalog maintains non-digitized archival material. A search for Governor yielded 246 results including official documents, election documents, genealogies and ancestry’s of governors and their wives, letters and speeches. Search results have only titles and no descriptions. Information for obtaining documents from the historical society is available on the website.

Jonathan Belcher Collection, Princeton University
Princeton University maintains the Jonathan Belcher Collection, who served as Governor of New Hampshire (1730-1741) as well as the Massachusetts and New Jersey. “The papers consist of correspondence, articles, clippings, and copies of original materials from Belcher collections held at Princeton and elsewhere. Topics covered include Belcher’s contributions to the foundations of the college library, the preservation of the Belcher Mansion in Elizabeth, and representations of Belcher in portraits and prints.”

New Jersey

The New Jersey Division of Archives and Records Management/New Jersey State Archives
The Division of Archives and Records Management for the state of New Jersey maintains the Images Collections, containing digitized copies of the oath of office signed by every Governor from 1790-2006 and the digitized minutes of Governor A. Harry Moore’s war cabinet from 1942-1944. Non-digitized resources includes limited archival material for governors from 1648-1947 and more extensive record holdings with online finding aids for Governor Alfred E. Driscoll (1947-1954); Governor Robert B. Meyner (1954-1962); Governor Richard J. Hughes (1962-1970); Governor William T. Cahill (1970-1974); Governor Brendan T. Byrne (1974-1982); Governor Thomas H. Kean (1982-1990); Governor James J. Florio (1990-1994); Governor Christine Todd Whitman (1994-2001); Governor Donald T. DiFrancesco (2001-2002) and Governor Jon Corzine (2006-2010). The site also maintains official government documents from 1667-1998.

Center on the America Governor, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University
The Center includes online archives of sources relating to the careers of former Governors Brendan T. Byrne (1974-82), Thomas H. Kean (1982-90), James J. Florio (1989-94), Christine Todd Whitman (1994-2001), and Jon S. Corzine (2006-2010), including official documents, personal papers and lengthy interviews with the governors once out of office. The Byrne online collection includes materials copied from other sources, such as the New Jersey State Archives; Rutgers Alexander Library; Seton Hall University; the New Jersey Historical Society; and private holdings. The site includes biographical profiles; extensive videos with transcripts of colloquia, interviews and roundtable discussions; source documents; images; and essays relating to governors and issues they confronted during their administrations. The site also includes over 100 videotaped interviews with the governors’ staff and Cabinet members, legislative leaders, and business and civic leaders as well as analysis and research on the office of the governor in New Jersey and across the country.

Rutgers University, Alexander Library
University Archives and Special Collections at Alexander Library of Rutgers University holds extensive archives for Governor Brendan Byrne and congressional papers of Governor James Florio. Some of the Byrne collection has been digitized by the Eagleton Institute of Politics and is available at the Rutgers Program on the Governor Web site (above). The Byrne collection includes materials relating to his pre-gubernatorial career as a prosecutor and judge and other family items. Other materials at the Library, most of which are not available online, include approximately 23,000 broadsides and ephemera of political controversies, patriotic celebrations and other topics indirectly related to governors.

The New Jersey Historical Society
The New Jersey Historical Society has detailed finding aids for the non-digitized collected papers of numerous governors including William Franklin, Lewis Morris, Jonathan Belcher, George Fort, Joseph Bloomfield, William Pennington, Isaac Williamson, Peter D. Vroom, William Paterson, Marcus L. Ward, George T. Werts, Franklin Murphy, Walter E. Edge, Samuel L. Southard, Robert S. Green, George B. McClellan, Leon Abbett, Woodrow Wilson, and Mahlon Dickerson as well as some photographs, prints, autographs and letters of the above listed governors and a few others that can be found in collections not directly related to the Governor. 222 results were returned pertaining to the Governor, and almost each one was found to contain pertinent information. Easy to use website with an excellent search engine.

Jonathan Belcher Collection, Princeton University
Princeton University maintains the Jonathan Belcher Collection, who served as New Jersey Provincial Governor from 1747-1757. Before his term in New Jersey, Belcher also served as the Governor of the Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire territories. “The papers consist of correspondence, articles, clippings, and copies of original materials from Belcher collections held at Princeton and elsewhere. Topics covered include Belcher’s contributions to the foundations of the college library, the preservation of the Belcher Mansion in Elizabeth, and representations of Belcher in portraits and prints.”

New Jersey Digital Highway
The New Jersey Digital Highway has been developed through a collaboration of the Rutgers University Libraries; the State Library; the New Jersey Division of Archives & Records Management; the New Jersey Historical Society; and the American Labor Museum. It includes selections on New Jersey history from other libraries and historical societies in the state, as well as links to lesson plans and other educational resources. A search for “Governor” returned only three records.

Electronic New Jersey
The Electronic New Jersey Project provides primary source learning materials and related instructional activities to increase student and faculty understanding of New Jersey’s role in U.S. history. The project commenced in 1997 when faculty at Hunterdon Central Regional High School in Flemington and Spotswood High School collaborated with archivists and librarians at the Alexander Library at Rutgers to select, study and develop resources for this project. Since that time, a consortium of New Jersey school districts have worked with Rutgers University-New Brunswick, the NJ State Archives, and the NJ Historical Society to further develop and expand the project website. The site features brief profiles with selected images on such topics as New Jersey during major wars; women’s suffrage; 1960’s social protest; and science and technology.

Liberty Hall Museum, Kean University
The Liberty Hall Museum is the former ancestral estate of the Livingston and Kean families. It was built in 1772 by William Livingston, New Jersey’s first state governor (1776-1990), and his descendants include Governor Thomas H. Kean (1982-1990). The site includes a timeline with brief biographical information on prominent family members and selected images of the estate and prominent family members, but has limited online sources.

Thomas H. Kean Collection, Drew University
New Jersey Governor Thomas H. Kean (1982-90) served as president of Drew University from 1990 to 2005 after he left office. The University Archives holds the Governor Thomas H. Kean collection, which is comprised of records created during the governor’s two terms of office in New Jersey. Included are his legislative briefing binders, records from trips and conferences, typescript copies of speeches, photographs, correspondence, office files, material on the issue of education, press releases and news clippings, and related records. A small percentage of the records were created during Kean’s presidency of Drew University. The site includes a biographical sketch and a finding aid to its holdings, but few materials are currently accessible for online research.

University Archives and Special Collections, Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University’s collections including documents, images and manuscripts
of former New Jersey Governors Richard Hughes (1961-69) and Brendan Byrne (1974-82), as well as papers of national political figures who had contacts with governors in New Jersey and other states, including Marcus Daly, Leonard Dreyfuss, Matthew Rinaldo and Bernard Shanley. Note that some materials may require a login to access. The Byrne materials are primarily political and personal documents; 26 images are published online at the Seton Hall site and several others have been copied and published on the site of the Center on the America Governor at Eagleton.

The Robert B. and Helen Stevenson Meyner Papers, Lafayette College Special Collections & College Archives
Governor Robert Meyner (1954-1962) and his wife, Congresswoman Helen Stevenson Meyner (1975-1979), donated extensive papers and memorabilia to Lafayette College, the Governor’s alma mater. The site includes biographical profiles and a finding aid to the collection, but few source materials are accessible online. The papers for Governor Meyner are primarily personal correspondence and related to his career after he left office, with the bulk of his official gubernatorial papers at the New Jersey State Archives.

The Columbia University Oral History Project
The Columbia University Oral History Project maintains non-digitized interviews (called “Reminiscences”) with Governor Robert Meyner (1954-1962) from 1962.

New Mexico

The New Mexico State Archives
The New Mexico state archives maintains the collected papers of every Governor from 1846-1978 and includes photographs, letters, speeches and official government documents. For example, the collected papers of Governor David Cargo, 1967-1970, includes: “Collection consists of official papers of Governor Cargo. Includes proclamations; appointments; executive orders; executive budgets; address to legislature and files relating to legislative issues such as education; judicial reports and reports of elected officials; reports of administrative agencies, boards and commissions; reports of state institutions and records of the Four Corners Regional Commission and other regional commissions. Federal records include correspondence with and news clips concerning United States senators and congressmen representing New Mexico, and other national office holders; reports of federal agencies related to New Mexico; and reports on the federally funded Community Action Programs (CAP). Special issues include material on constitutional revision, the Vietnam War, and the Alianza Federal de las Mercedes. Penal papers include pardon and extradition cases. Political materials include documents on election campaigns, Republican National Party, National Governors’ Conference, and similar bodies. Miscellaneous materials contain files on contingency fund, speeches, private practice, family matters and personal documents.” Information for obtaining the material from the state archives is available online.

The New Mexico State University Library
The New Mexico State University Library maintains the non-digitized political papers of Governors Garrey Carruthers (1987-1991); Herbert J. Hagerman, Territorial Governor (1906-1907); James F. Hinkle (1923-1924) and Edwin L. Mechem (1951-1955, 1957-1959, 1961-1962). Information for obtaining the material from the University is available on the website.

The New Mexico State Library Digital Archive
The New Mexico State Library Digital Archive has been working to digitize and preserves official government documents (both federal and state) since 2003, primarily reports of government agencies. Only 11 documents pertained directly to the office of the governor, all but one were executive orders. A much larger non-digitized collection is maintained by the library and information for obtaining the material is available on the website.

The New Mexico Office of the State Historian
New Mexico’s Office of the State Historian has an online repository for digitized documents. A search for “Governor” included photographs, official documents, letters, speeches, statements and messages. Many of the results led to one-sentence biographical information on past governors, but some governors had longer biographies written by the state historian.

The University of New Mexico Digital Collections
New Mexico’s Digital Collections is a website run by the University of New Mexico University Libraries and includes a large collection of digitized resources. A search for “Governor” yielded over 700 results – the majority which were official government document and newspaper clippings – but which also included photographs, portraits, speeches, letters and telegrams. Excellent layout, user-friendly website with good description and well-organized search engine.