In December 1993, Dr. Hugh W. Cunningham, a former
Professor of Journalism at the University of Florida, donated two distinct
newspaper collections to the Special Collections and Archives Department
of the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library. The bulk of the newspapers
document events following the November 1963 assassination of President
John F. Kennedy. A second collection of newspapers examines the reaction
to President Richard M. Nixon's resignation in August 1974.
Restrictions/Preservation Note
The acidic paper often used on printing presses
has promoted the rapid physical deterioration found in some titles of this
collection. To prevent further damage to materials in the Nixon Resignation
Newspaper Collection, refrain from placing any additional stress on the
paper fibers by folding or creasing newspapers, or by exposing them to
light for an extended period of time. Please report any tears or
other damage so library staff may take appropriate preservation or conservation
measures. While no restrictions limit access to the newspapers, library
staff will evaluate photocopying requests on an individual basis to ensure
the long-term preservation of this unique collection.
Scope and Contents
The 49 individual issues represented in this collection
occupy 3 storage boxes and 6.25 linear feet of shelf space. They represent
a broad geographic diversity of newspapers from 22 states and the District
of Columbia on Friday, 9 August 1974. This collection serves as an
excellent primary source for a "slice-of-life" analysis. By examining
these newspapers as cultural artifacts, the researcher may study journalistic
reactions to Nixon's resignation (i.e., compare the amount of space different
newspapers devoted to news of Nixon's departure), as well as evaluate the
relationship between this "headline" story and other articles that appeared
in the papers.
Related Collections
See also Kennedy
Assassination Newspaper Collection
|
