Inventory of the Peter Wood Papers on the Nixon Library Controversy, 1981, 1985

Abstract

Peter H. Wood is Professor Emeritus in the Dept. of History at Duke University.

The collection consists of documentation related to the Nixon Library Controversy at Duke during 1981.

Descriptive Summary

Repository: University Archives, Duke University
Creator: Wood, Peter H., 1943-
Title: Peter Wood Papers on the Nixon Library Controversy, 1981, 1985
Language of Material: English
Extent: 0.5 Linear Feet, approx. 450 Items
Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

This collection contains correspondence, flyers, clippings, and other documents regarding the Nixon Library Controversy at Duke during 1981. The documentation was created and/or collected by Dept. of History Professor, Peter H. Wood, and demonstrates the divisiveness of this controversy as well as the opinions of Duke faculty members regarding the Nixon library.

Administrative Information

Collections are on the move for the renovation of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »

Access Restrictions

Patrons must sign the Acknowledgement of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.

Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the University Archives to use this collection.

Collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Contents of the Collection

Browse List of Series

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Container List

Nixon Library: General, 1981

Box 1

Letters from Outside Duke, 1981

Box 1

Hoover Library, etc., 1981

Box 1

Teach-In, 1981

Box 1

Craufurd Goodwin Letter (from the History Dept.), 1981

Box 1

Quotes from Historians, circa 1981

Box 1

Sydney Nathans on Presidential Libraries, circa 1981

Box 1

Briefing File, 1981

Box 1

Cady Letter, 1981

Box 1

Wood's Statement to the Academic Council, 1981

Box 1

Resolution on Location: Presented to the Academic Council by Wood, 1981

Box 1

Wood's Article for the OAH Newsletter, circa 1981

Box 1

Dirk Philipsen: "Power, Politics, and a Private Elite University: The Nixon Library Controversy at Duke," circa 1985

Box 1

ITT, undated

Box 1

Maps, undated

Box 1

Clippings, 1981

Box 1

Historical Note

In July 1981, Terry Sanford initiated negotiations with former U. S. President Richard Nixon (Duke Law '37) to locate the Nixon presidential library on the campus of Duke University, Nixon's alma mater. When this information was revealed to faculty members during the week of August 10, 1981, many opposed the proposition, citing Sanford's failure to consult the faculty prior to initiating negotiations.

Many who opposed the library had moral objections to memorializing a President whose behavior in office was reproachable, and they feared a negative effect on the university's reputation. Other concerns included the effects of increased tourist traffic on campus and the uncertain aesthetic nature of the proposed structure. However, supporters of the Nixon Library argued that the scholarly and academic benefits of locating the Nixon Presidential Materials collection on campus should and would outweigh other concerns. These supporters tended to denounce the actions of vocal dissenters as divisive and arrogant.

Meetings of the Academic Council and Board of Trustees during September and October 1981 were dominated by the Nixon Library debate, and a group of faculty formed the Committee Against the Nixon-Duke Library (CANDL) to organize the efforts of faculty, students, alumni, and others opposed to the proposed library. Although the Academic Council voted not to pursue further negotiations with former president Nixon in a 35-34 decision at a September 3, 1981 meeting, the Board of Trustees later voted 9-2 to proceed. By April 1982, negotiations had stalled. One year later, Nixon's representatives announced that a site at Chapman College in San Clemente, California, had been chosen for the Richard M. Nixon Presidential Library.

These files were created by Peter H. Wood, while serving as Professor in the Dept. of History. He is now Professor Emeritus.

Subject Headings

Related Material

Sydney Nathans Collection, 1975-1981 (Duke University Archives)
Committee Against the Nixon-Duke Library (CANDL) Records, 1981 (Duke University Archives)
Nixon Library Controversy Reference Collection, 1981-2001 (Duke University Archives)