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Congressman Francis E. Walter Guest Book

 Item
Identifier: SC MS 0349

Scope and Contents

Guest book kept in the Congressman Francis E. Walter's office at the Capitol Hill includes autographs of wide range of guests and visitors cultural and political figures such as President Kennedy, Pearl S. Buck, Olivia DeHaviland, James Michener, Alexandra Tolstoy and many others. Handmade book is gold colored silk Chinese accordion styled pages of thick board with ivory peg fasteners for front cover with three Chinese characters on paper label.

Dates

  • 1955-1959

Creator

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

Access Restrictions: Collection housed remotely. Users need to contact 24 hours in advance.

Use Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Copyright Notice

Please inquire about copyright information.

Biographical / Historical

Walter was the Democrat member of the U.S. House of Representative from Pennsylvania from 1928 to his death in 1963. He was born in Easton, PA, attended Lehigh University, George Washington University and Georgetown University. He served in the U.S. Navy air service in both World War I and II. He served as a solicitor of Northampton County, Pennsylvania 1928-33. Elected as a Democrat to the 73rd Congress in 1928 and served in Congress until his death. His political career began as an elected delegate to the 1928 Democratic National Convention. During his time in Congress he was a prominent member of the House Un-American Activities Committee 1951-1963, chair of the Committee for the last nine years he served. As a Democrat he wanted to minimize immigration largely responsible for the McCarran-Walter Act of 1952 which kept the old quotas but also opened many opportunities for legal immigration to the United States. His views were regarded by some as "reactionary and racist" as a staunch anti-communist. To honor him the Francis E. Walter Dam was built in 1961 near White Haven, Luzerne County across the Lehigh River.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet (1 Volume in box, 0.5 Linear Feet)

Abstract

Guest book kept in the Congressman Francis E. Walter's office at the Capitol Hill includes autographs of wide range of guests and visitors cultural and political figures such as President Kennedy, Pearl S. Buck, Olivia DeHaviland, James Michener, Alexandra Tolstoy. Handmade book is gold colored silk Chinese accordion styled pages of thick board with ivory peg fasteners for front cover with three Chinese characters on paper label.

Arrangement

The guest book is signed as in natural chronologic order by the guests/visitors on the date of arrival.

Acquisition Information

Possibly acquired with the papers of Congressman Walter. Library accession stamp: 25 June 1964.

Related Materials

SC MS 0065 Papers of Congressman Francis E. Walters

Title
Congressman Francis E. Walter Guest BookSC MS 0349
Status
Completed
Author
Eleanor Nothelfer.
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English.
Sponsor
Lehigh University Library and Technology Services.

Repository Details

Part of the Lehigh University Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Lehigh University
Linderman Library
30 Library Drive
Bethlehem PA 18045 USA
610-758-4506
610-758-6091 (Fax)