Whitehurst, G. William A Guide to the G. William Whitehurst Papers MG 86

A Guide to the G. William Whitehurst Papers MG 86


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ODU Community Collections

3000 Perry Library
4427 Hampton Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23529
Business Number: 757-683-5350
libspecialcollections@odu.edu
URL: https://www.odu.edu/library/special-collections

Stacey Broadwater, July 2007; Elisabeth Burgess, 2010; Sonia Yaco, 2011; Mel Frizzell, 2011

Repository
ODU Community Collections
Identification
MG 86
Title
G. William Whitehurst Papers 1968-2022, undated Date acquired: 03/27/2007
URL:
Archon Finding Aid location
Quantity
21.60 Linear Feet
Quantity
16 Hollinger document cases and 12 oversized boxes boxes
Creator
Whitehurst, G. William (1925-)
Language
English .
Abstract
G. William Whitehurst was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's Second District in 1968. Member of the House Armed Services Committee, Committee on Intelligence and Ethics Committee. Consists of nineteen bound Congressional dairies spanning from 1969 to 1986. Six scrap books consisting of newspaper clippings, magazines, pictures and other documents relating to Doctor William Whitehurst's tenure in the House of Representatives.

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Use

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, and the holder of the copyright, if not Old Dominion University Libraries.

Conditions Governing Access

Open to researchers without restrictions.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], G. William Whitehurst Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Source of Acquisition

Dr. William G. Whitehurst

Method of Acquisition

Gift. Accession #A2007-03

Accruals and Additions

Future accruals expected.


Biographical or Historical Information

George William Whitehurst, son of Calvert Stanhope and Laura Tomlinson Whitehurst, was born in Norfolk, Virginia on March 12, 1925. He attended local elementary schools and graduated from Maury High School in 1942. From 1943 to 1946 he served in the United States Navy, chiefly as an aviation radioman in the Pacific. After World War II he enrolled in Washington and Lee University, graduating with a B.A. in history in 1950. The following year he received his M.A. in history from the University of Virginia and in 1962 he earned his Ph.D. from West Virginia University in American Diplomatic History.

Whitehurst joined the history faculty of the Norfolk Division, College of William and Mary, now Old Dominion University, in 1950. From 1963 to 1968 he served as Dean of Students. He also worked as a news analyst for WTAR-TV from 1962 to 1968.

In 1968 Dr. Whitehurst was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's second district, and he spent the next 18 years in Congress. His principal congressional committee assignment was the House Armed Services Committee, but in addition he served a six-year term on the Select Committee on Intelligence, and two years on the Ethics Committee. He also served as a Delegate of the North Atlantic Assembly.

Dr. Whitehurst retired from Congress in 1987 and returned to teach at Old Dominion University where he was named the Kaufman Lecturer in Public Affairs. He taught courses in political science and political history and was a widely popular teacher before retiring in 2020.

During his years in Washington, Dr. Whitehurst published two volumes of his Diary of a Congressman in 1983 and 1985.

Dr. Whitehurst was married to the former Jennette Franks, and he is the father of two children, Frances and Cal.

Note written by Special Collections Staff

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of diaries, scrapbooks, and other material related to Dr. G. William Whitehurst's political and military career. The nineteen bound congressional dairies spanning from 1969 to 1986 are reproductions of the originals held at Washington and Lee University. Six scrapbooks consist of newspaper clippings magazines, pictures and other documents relating to Dr. Whitehurst's tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives. Twelve scrapbooks, dated 1968 to 1986, document his political campaigns, and include some memorabilia related to his congressional career. The scrapbooks contain photographs, newspaper clippings, bumper stickers, buttons, magazines, cards, invitations and magazine articles. The military material includes a log book from bombing runs over Japan in World War II, and Whitehurst's own military records. The collection also contains correspondence with past presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush, as well as as several artifacts.

Arrangement Note

The collection is organized into the following series: Series I: Congressional Diaries; Series II: Congressional Scrapbooks; Series III: Campaign Scrapbooks; Series IV: Military Records; and Series V: Correspondence, Medals and Photographs.

Related Material

Diary of a Congressman, G. William Whitehurst. Call #: JK 1041.W47 1983

Oral Histories in the Perry Library: G. William Whitehurst

Subjects and Indexing Terms


Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

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Container List

Series I
Series I: Congressional Diaries
1969-1986
Scope and Contents

This series contains nineteen bound diaries of Dr. Whitehurst's time in the U.S. House of Representatives. Some of the topics include Watergate, various political campaigns, work on committees, among others. The diaries are copies of the originals found at Washington and Lee University. These diaries are arranged in chronological order.

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Series II
Series II: Congressional Scrapbooks
1970-1984
Scope and Contents

This series includes scrapbooks that contain news clippings, correspondence, invitations and programs, and photos. These scrapbooks primarily consist of news clippings related to Whitehurst's congressional career. Articles highlight politics and legislation, reelection campaigns, and conservation. The scrapbooks are arranged chronologically.

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Series III
Series III: Campaign Scrapbooks
1968-1986
Scope and Contents

This series includes scrapbooks that contain correspondence, greeting cards, invitations and programs, photographs, certificates, itineraries, and newspaper clippings from the Virginian Pilot, the Ledger-Star, the Beacon, and the Washington Star. Much of the material relates to foreign trips, U.S. politicians including presidents and vice-presidents, ambassadors, campaigns, and legislation. Additional materials include a collection of stamps and postcards and fact sheets regarding ship launchings and space program fact sheets from Rockwell International on various space craft and missions. The scrapbooks are arranged chronologically.

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Series IV
Series IV: Military Records
circa 1943-2005
Scope and Contents

This series contains Whitehurst's military records including combat reports and dispatches; photographs related to his military service; Whitehurst's aviation log book; World War II historical memorabilia; correspondence; and materials related to reunions of the VT-88 Squadron. The majority of the materials date from 1943-46, though the reunion material and some of the historical compilations post-date World War II. One letter in this series was written in 2005.

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Series V
Series V: Correspondence, Medals and Photographs
circa 1968-2017, undated
Scope and Contents

This series includes letters from George H.W. Bush and Lloyd Bennett; campaign memorabilia; material related to a KGB medal and Whitehurst's notes about it; a medal, scrapbook and correspondence related to Whitehurst returning; 10 naval paintings done by Claus Bergan to Germany; Chinese photo albums; campaign photographs; a newspaper advertisement; and oversized stamp sheets from scrapbook.

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