SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

Series 1: Correspondence, 1882-1977, bulk 1953-1973 (43 folders)
Correspondence comprises the largest series in the collection. Most of it relates directly to Cummings’s legislative activities. Materials in this series include requests for political support from fellow legislators and from figures of national prominence such as Estes Kefauver, Albert Gore, Sr., and John F. Kennedy. Researchers should note that information in the correspondence files may often be cross-referenced chronologically and/or by topic with information in the legislative files. This series is divided into eight types of correspondence, each arranged chronologically. Requests (1933-77, 12 folders) include employment requests and appeals for professional or political support. Constituent Mail (1955-72, 7 folders) is comprised of letters from individuals or organizations offering opinions on matters pending before the General Assembly or on current events. Informational/Research (1953-76, 5 folders) correspondence provided Cummings with information on issues and events of possible interest or importance. The remaining subjects are Acknowledgments (1932-73, 9 folders), Congratulatory/Salutation (1945-73, 3 folders), Invitations (1953-77, 4 folders), Miscellaneous (unidentified, 1882 and undated, 2 folders), and Postcards (1908-73, 1 folders).

Series 2: Legislative files, 1925-1930, 1955-1972, bulk 1967-1972 (19 folders)
Materials collected by Cummings during his tenure as a state legislator. The materials consist of conference announcements, brochures, programs, agendas, memos, reports, maps, studies, election materials, petitions, directories, biographical sketches, and other items.

Series 3: Legislative Documents, 1930-1977 (4 folders)
Compilations of acts, bills, resolutions, memoranda, proclamations, official minutes of various committee meetings, agendas, petitions, and sponsorship listings

Series 4: Legal Documents, 1940-1972 (3 folders)
Materials related to Cummings's career as an attorney. The items consist of correspondence, court orders, documents, notarized papers, notes, briefings, petitions, certificates, loan agreements, and receipts.

Series 5: Printed Material, 1943-1977 (15 folders)
Pamphlets, directories, newsletters, programs, and one poster. Arranged by type of publication and chronologically. NOTE: Books have been incorporated into the Gore Center's reference collection. A listing of titles originally in the Cummings Collection is available.

Series 6: Literary Productions, 1945-1972 (4 folders)
Speeches and other writings by Cummings and others. Arranged chronologically.

Series 7: Newspaper Clippings, 1933-1979 (6 folders)
Newspaper clippings and pages collected by Cummings or sent to him by friends, constituents, and fellow legislators. Most of the clippings either mention Cummings or pertain to issues of interest to him. In some instances, the clippings include brief correspondence from the sender.

Series 8: Audio Recordings, 1932, 1972-1973 (3 cassette tapes)
Cassette #1 records the ceremony dedicating Cummings Hall at Middle Tennessee State University in 1973. Cassette #2 records the proceedings of the Tennessee Legislature on “Jim Cummings Day,” November 20, 1972. Cassette #3 contains a recorded message for delegates to the Democratic National Convention from Franklin D. Roosevelt during his 1932 Presidential campaign. Roosevelt issued the paper record from which the recording was made. The original paper record and accompanying correspondence are also located in this collection.

Series 9: Tennessee Monument at the Gettysburg National Battlefield, 1970-1972, 1977 (7 folders)
Correspondence, newspaper clippings, reports, constituent mail, and research notes related to the erection of a Tennessee Monument at the site of the July 1863 Battle of Gettysburg.

Series 10: Ephemera (2 boxes)
Plaques, wall hangings, ornaments, and other mementos collected by Cummings during his legislative career.