WALTER F. MONDALE:

Drafts of Steven M. Gillon's biography, The Democrats Dilemma: Walter Mondale and the Liberal Legacy, published by Columbia University Press in 1992. The biography covers Mondale's political life, beginning with his college years involvement in Americans for Democratic Action, through his tenures as Minnesota Attorney General, U.S. Senator and Vice President, past the 1984 presidential election, and ending just before he accepted the position of U.S. ambassador to Japan. The final chapter poses an assessment of Mondale's failures as challenges left to the Democratic party for resolution in the 1990s. The drafts include Mondale's handwritten review comments prior to the final published edition. A copy of the published version is available in the Minnesota Historical Society book collection.

Correspondence between Gillon and Mondale may be found in Mondale's correspondence files.

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The Mondale Family Papers contain biographical information on both Walter Mondale and Joan Adams Mondale as well as genealogical information dating back to 1824 on the Mondale family and information dating back to 1850 regarding the Cowan family. Correspondence (1927-1961) of several Mondale family members and annual Christmas cards (1947-1965) written by Mondale's mother, Claribel (Cowan) Mondale, contain additional and scattered genealogical information. Two pamphlets included within the family papers provide brief histories of Bricelyn, Minnesota and the Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church of Frost, Minnesota. The Bricelyn history adds to genealogical information regarding the Minnesota lineage of the Mondale family and the church history contributes information regarding Mondale's father, Theodore Sigurd Mondale, a Methodist minister. Included within the family papers are passports, photographs, some scrapbook clippings, and a photocopy of the will of Eleanor M. Archer, Mondale's half-sister.

The Mondale family papers include several folders containing portraits of the Cowan family, Fredrick Mundale, Ole Mondale, the Theodore Sigurd Mondale family, and the Walter F. Mondale family. Also included with the family papers are some snapshots of Mondale during his college and military years. Included within these earlier photographs are two pictures of the family house at 1004 N. Prairie in Fairmont, Minnesota and a set of snapshots from a trip to the Quetico Superior lake region. Snapshots from a later period depict Mondale enjoying several hunting and fishing trips. Photographs from Mondale's post-vice presidential life include autographed portraits of political associates and a set of prints documenting Mondale's appearance at various meetings or speaking events.

Photographs:

Selected digital images

Cowan Family, [circa 1900-1910].

Fredrick Mundale, Ole Mondale, undated photocopies.

Theodore Sigurd Mondale Family, undated, 1917-[1951?].

Walter F. Mondale.

Family, 1965-[1993?].

College Years and Military Service, 1948-1954.

Hunting and Fishing Trips, [1985-1993?].

Location

+332

Hunting blue bills, 1977.

Location

153.L.1.1B

Political Life and Law Practice:

Events:

Walter F. Mondale with Vice President George Bush, August 12, 1981.

Walter F. Mondale with French President Francois Mitterand at Elysee, May 28, 1982.

Jefferson-Jackson Day, Lexington, Kentucky, June 19, 1982.

Democratic Convention, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania., [June 25, 1982].

[International Market Square, circa 1987-1993].

Unidentified, [circa 1981-1993].

Unidentified, [circa 1981-1993].

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Files from Mondale's college life consist of one full box containing an address book; one folder of college credit records with information similar to that provided on a college transcript; Mondale's coursework and notes which include draft and graded term papers; his 1951 B.A. diploma from the University of Minnesota; and a withholding statement documenting his income in 1950.

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Papers documenting Mondale's military service consist of two folders. The military records date 1950-1959 and include copies of official orders, a physical examination certificate of acceptability, a statement of personal history, a fingerprint file, letters of commendation, training certificates, and his honorable discharge papers. There is a copy of a loyalty affidavit Mondale submitted in support of Lloyd McAulay, a fellow member of the Students for Democratic Action.

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Includes Mondale's law school diploma and various certifications from his legal career in Minnesota.

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These files contain both original incoming and carbon copies of outgoing letters, memoranda, telegrams, photographs, and greeting cards regarding various aspects of Mondale's life. Correspondents include relatives and immediate family members, personal friends, political allies and associates, professional associates, and autograph solicitors. There is correspondence dating from Mondale's military service, as well as correspondence with a cousin, Franklin Willard Castledine. .

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These records were kept by the secretarial staff of Mondale's law firms and provide some of the greatest detail regarding Mondale's daily activities. The telephone logs were kept as a daily record of incoming and outgoing calls received or placed by Mondale's office. The logs list the names of callers or those called, telephone numbers, and occasional message notes for the years 1981-1983, 1985-1990, and 1993. Separate daily logs for Mondale's legal and political fund raising activities were kept from December 1982 through March 1983. With June 1987 the records began to include lists of people to be called and the purpose for each call.

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Ephemera and memorabilia kept by Mondale consists of six folders documenting the tributes credited to Mondale by various groups, associations, and educational institutions for meritorious public service between 1967 and 1992. These materials include awards and plaques, honorary citizenships and certificates of appreciation, honorary degrees, and honors and gifts.

The original awards and plaques were made of glass or metal mounted on wood and have not been retained. Photocopies and transcriptions were made in order to retain a record of the original inscriptions.

Of interest may be one folder of honors and gifts from Minnesota's Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians. This file includes the Band's Resolution No. 110-67 which authorized the purchase of regalia to be presented to Mondale and the name May-dway-gwah-no-nind (One Who is Spoken to) to be bestowed upon Mondale. The regalia was transferred to the Minnesota Historical Society museum collections and researchers wishing to view these pieces must contact the Museum. The file also includes a copy of the book, Indian and free: a contemporary portrait of life on a Chippewa reservation by Charles Brill, inscribed and autographed by the Band's officers and district representatives.

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Photocopies of personal income tax returns filed by Walter and Joan Mondale, together with some supporting documentation.

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