classified documents pertaining to a vice president's tenure, housed at the National Archives
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) plays a significant role in preserving and providing access to Vice Presidential collections, from Charles Curtis (31st Vice President, 1929–1933) to Walter Mondale (42nd Vice President, 1977–1981). Unlike Presidential records, which are often centralized in Presidential Libraries established after the 1955 Presidential Libraries Act, Vice Presidential collections are generally part of the federal records held by NARA.
These collections, which include textual records, electronic records, audio-visual material, and artifacts, can be found at NARA's research facilities or sometimes at university-based repositories, depending on the individual’s donation or archival arrangement. For instance, Walter Mondale's Vice Presidential papers are known to be part of his overall archival collection, which likely resides with NARA or a repository designated in his presidential or vice presidential archival agreement.
If you're interested in the records of specific Vice Presidents, consulting NARA’s archival catalog or contacting their research facilities directly would provide precise locations and details. However, it's important to note that Vice Presidential records from Charles Curtis to Walter Mondale are widely dispersed at other institutions, as they are not all at the National Archives' Presidential Libraries.
The George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, located in College Station, TX, is the home of the official Vice Presidential records of George H.W. Bush and Dan Quayle. These records are open to the public for research by appointment. Researchers can view the records of Albert Gore, Jr., Richard Cheney, Joseph Biden, Michael Pence, and Kamala Harris in the main research room located in the National Archives Building on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC, also by appointment only. To schedule a visit, researchers should email [email protected] prior to their visit.
It's worth mentioning that the Presidential Records Act (PRA) treats Vice Presidential records similarly to Presidential records, and they become subject to the Freedom of Information Act five years after the end of the administration. Prior to the PRA, Vice Presidential records were the personal property of the Vice Presidents.
For those planning a visit to the National Archives, it's advisable to email [email protected] prior to their visit. The staff of the Archival Operations Division is available for on-site reference assistance to researchers. A list of where to find other Vice Presidential collections can be accessed for those interested in Vice Presidential records prior to George H.W. Bush.
- Generally, Vice Presidential records, such as those of Walter Mondale, are kept by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and can be found at their research facilities, although some may be located at university-based repositories as well.
- The field of policy-and-legislation, including politics and general news, often references Vice Presidential records, which, following the Presidential Records Act (PRA), are subject to the Freedom of Information Act five years after the end of the administration, and can be found at institutions like the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) or designated university-based repositories.
