The Albert Gore Senate Collection consists of approximately 900 linear feet of papers created from the time of Albert Gore's election to the United States Senate in 1952 until the end of his tenure in that body in 1970.  The greatest volume dates from 1962 through 1969.  A large quantity of constituent and special interests correspondence documents various perceptions of major domestic and international issues of those years.   Other communication elucidates the matters with which Senator Gore was most extensively involved, especially domestic and international trade and commerce, labor law, tax reform, transportation, medical care for older citizens, civil rights, and international relations.  The collection includes some photographs, audio tapes, and videotapes.  Books, pamphlets, and other research materials used by Gore and his staff have been retained.

The general arrangement of the collection corresponds closely to the filing order operating in the Senator's office in 1969.  Annual series are generally arranged alphabetically by office, committee, or some other descriptive unit, by sub-unit or sub-topic, and by date.  Except for Issue Mail, carbon copies of outgoing correspondence usually are attached to the incoming letters to which they responded.   An index of file folder headings is available for use in the Gore Center.

Senator Gore has assigned his copyrights and literary rights to this collection to the public through Middle Tennessee State University.  All researchers have equal access to materials in the collection subject to restrictions published in the individual series descriptions.

Series 1:  Research Files, 1952-1970 (57 document boxes, 321 folders)

Research Files contain notes and miscellaneous material used by Gore to develop his positions on various issues.  The files include pamphlets, newspaper clippings, letters, reports, memoranda, and other types of background information used primarily in researching the passage of bills offered before the Senate.  Arranged alphabetically by topic.  Sample topics include atomic energy, conflict of interest, election law, taxes, highways, civil rights, and the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Series 2:  Veterans Case Files, 1951-1970 (806 folders)

Veterans Case Files consist of correspondence between Senator Gore and service veterans dealing with various concerns of veterans, including pensions, benefits, and military records.  Access restricted.

Series 3:  Social Security Case Files, 1964-1970 (152 folders)

Social Security Case Files are made up of correspondence between Senator Gore and constituents concerned with various Social Security benefits.  Access restricted.

Series 4:  Issue Mail, 1953-1970 (1790 folders)

Issue Mail consists of constituent correspondence to which the Senator's staff responded with form letters produced by either a Robo-writer or Flexo-writer.  Each folder contains material received on a specific topic and a single letter from the Senator sent to all addresses in the folder.  Arranged by year and then alphabetically by topic within each year.  Sample topics include civil rights, Vietnam, prayer in schools, the Taft-Hartley Act, and firearm control.  The bulk of the material dates from the years 1962 to 1969.

Series 5:  Post Office Files, 1952-1970 (401 folders)

Post Office Files consist of correspondence between Senator Gore, constituents, and government departments concerned with the building and staffing of post offices, the appointments of postmasters, and postal service in Tennessee.  Arranged alphabetically according to the name of the town served.

Series 6:  Departmental Files, 1953-1970 (1946 folders)

Departmental Files contain correspondence between the Senator and other public officials or constituents regarding actions taken by government departments.  Also included are pamphlets or other printed material that the Senator sent to constituents who requested  information on these departments.  A copy of the Senator's response is attached to each incoming letter.  Arranged by year, then alphabetically by department, and (in some cases) alphabetically by topic within the department.  Major departments discussed include Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Health Education and Welfare, Interior, Justice, Labor, State, and Treasury.  The bulk of the material dates from the 1960s.

Series 7:  Legislative Files, 1953-1970 (2058 folders)

Legislative Files consist of correspondence between Senator Gore and other public officials or constituents concerning legislation before Congress.  A copy of the Senator's response is attached to the incoming letter.  Arranged by year and then alphabetically by Senate committee or subject.  Committees represented include Appropriations, Banking and Currency, Finance, Foreign Relations, Judiciary, Labor and Public Welfare, Public Works, and Rules and Administration.  Larger committee files are further subdivided by subject.  The bulk of the material dates from the 1960s.

Series 8:  Alphabetical, 1953-1970 (324 folders)

Miscellaneous correspondence received by Senator Gore throughout his Senate career.   The Senator's responses are attached to the incoming letters or materials.   In many cases, letters in the Alphabetical Files refer to personal situations over which the Senator had no control.  The files also contain the Senator's acknowledgements of unsolicited materials received, including sheet music, stories and poems, pamphlets, sermons, and other printed material.  Arranged by year and then alphabetically by the correspondent's last name.  The bulk of the material dates from 1953 to 1965.

Series 9:  Office, 1953-1970 (245 folders)

Materials in this series relate to the operation of Senator Gore's offices in Washington, Carthage, Memphis, and Nashville and include inter-office memoranda, mailing lists, correspondence with the Senate Superintendent and Sergeant-at-Arms, telegrams sent, and lists of  office visitors.  A series of fifteen appointment books dating from 1957 to 1969 is included.  Organized by year, then alphabetically by topic.

Series 10:  Politics, 1953-1970 (76 folders)

The Politics File contains materials related to campaigning in Tennessee, the Democratic National Conventions, presidential races, political polls, and Democratic party policy.  Materials include correspondence, campaign finance records, speeches and notes, policy statements, political reports and some newspaper clippings.  Organized by year then alphabetically by topic.

Series 11:  Media, 1952 - 1970 (63 folders)

Media files consist of correspondence, records and statements of Senator Gore concerning appearances on radio and television and in newspapers.  Correspondence between Gore and radio and television stations regarding his appearances is included, as well as  correspondence from audience members concerning his remarks.  Press releases, newspaper clippings, and correspondence with editors of various newspapers of both national and state importance are also included.  The bulk of material from the 1950s consists of Radio and Television files, while the material from the 1960s primarily concerns newspapers and press releases.  Arranged chronologically by year, then alphabetically by topic.

Series 12:  Newsletter, 1959-1970 (48 folders)

The Newsletter series consists primarily of copies of Senator Gore's newsletter, "The Washington Report," sent to those on his mailing list monthly throughout the 1960s.  The first folder in this series contains other senators' newsletters used by the Senator in designing his own, as well as other senators' newsletters in which Gore appeared.  Other folders in this series contain photographs, news clippings, notes, draft copies, layouts, and other materials used in preparing the newsletters.  Correspondence in this series includes comments sent by constituents to Gore concerning his newsletter, requests to be added to or taken off the mailing list, and Gore's responses to these letters.  Organized by year, month, and topic.

Series 13:  Tennessee, 1954-1970 (101 folders)

The Tennessee files consist of correspondence with constituents and state officials concerning the state of Tennessee.   Organized chronologically and then alphabetically by topic.

Series 14:  Personal, 1954-1970 (63 folders)

This series consists of personal correspondence between the Senator and Mrs. Gore and Senator Gore's assistants, William Allen and Andrew J. Lynch.  Items include such materials as bills and receipts, letters of congratulations or sympathy, birthday messages, and thank-you notes.  In addition to family members, major correspondents include Bernard Baruch, Cordell Hull, and Estes Kefauver.  Organized by year and then alphabetically by correspondent.

Series 15:  Applications, 1954-1970 (475 folders)

Application files consist of letters written to Albert Gore requesting aid in finding a job, letters of recommendation, and job information.  Organized by year and then alphabetically by correspondent.

Series 16:  Patronage, 1954-1970 (36 folders)

The Patronage series consists of cover letters, applications, resumes, and letters of recommendation from people requesting appointments by Gore to patronage positions, including pages, elevator operators, and post office clerks in the United States Senate.  Organized by year and then by type of position.

Series 17:  Federal Jobs, 1954; 1960-1970 (123 folders)

The Federal Jobs series contains correspondence relating to positions in the federal government, especially judgeships, U.S. attorneys, and U.S. marshals and assistants in Tennessee. One folder exists for 1954, while the rest of the material dates from the 1960s.  Organized by year and then alphabetically by correspondent or by position desired.

Series 18:  Invitations, 1954-1970 (246 folders)

The Invitation series consists of letters and invitations received by Gore requesting his presence at various functions  in Washington, in Tennessee, and throughout the country.  Indicated on the invitation is a note designating "Accept" or "Regret", and a copy of the letter of acceptance or regret or a notation indicating a phone call.  Organized chronologically.

Series 19:  Requests, 1953-1970 (485 folders)

The Requests files include correspondence from constituents, students, and others requesting materials such as photographs and autographs of the Senator, information on Tennessee and the federal government, federal government publications, and flags flown over the Capital.  Organized by year and then alphabetically by correspondent or by item requested.

Series 20:  Special, 1953-1970 (129 folders)

Special Files contain material that does not fit in any other category.  Of particular interest are correspondence relating to the McCarthy censure, memorabilia from from Gore's term as president of the United States delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and information related to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luther King, Jr.  Organized by year and then alphabetically by topic.

Series 21:  Academy Files, 1949-1971 (152 folders)

Academy Files contain correspondence and other materials concerning applicants to the United States Service Academies.   Organized by year and then alphabetically by applicant's name.  Access restricted.

Series 22:  Gore Bills, 1953-1969 (209 folders)

The Gore Bills include copies of bills introduced and/or co-sponsored by Senator Gore during his tenure.  Organized by year and then by Senate bill number within each year.

Series 23:  Index, 1953-1970 (2914 folders)

The Index consists of the yellow (second) carbon copies of all letters issued by the Senator's office.  Organized by year and then alphabetically by correspondent.

Series 24:  Service Case Files, 1951-1970 (2435 folders)

Service Case Files contain records of Gore's constituents served in the armed forces during his tenure in office  Includes correspondence with military personnel and their families.  Access restricted.