MARY CATHERINE MURPHY:

An Inventory of Her Papers at the Minnesota Historical Society

Manuscripts Collection

Expand/CollapseOVERVIEW

Creator: Murphy, Mary Catherine, creator.
Title:Mary Catherine Murphy personal and legislative papers.
Dates:1904-2024 (bulk 1974-2024).
Language:Materials in English.
Abstract:Personal and legislative papers of State Representative and educator Mary Catherine Murphy. The papers include: subject files; materials related to Democratic National Conventions; appointment calendars audiocassette tapes; correspondence; photographs; and campaign materials.
Quantity:13.25 cubic feet (14 boxes) and 1 oversize folder, unboxed.
Location: See Detailed Description for shelf locations.

Expand/CollapseBIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Mary C. Murphy headshot, 2020s. Mary Catherine Murphy was born in Duluth, Minnesota on October 25, 1939. She graduated from Hermantown High School in Hermantown, Minnesota, and subsequently obtained a Bachelors of Art in History and Economics from the College of St. Scholastica (Duluth, Minnesota) in 1961. She pursued additional graduate level studies at Macalester College, American University, University of Wisconsin, Superior, and Indiana University.

Mary C. Murphy taught history and social studies at Duluth Central High School from 1964 to 1997. In addition to teaching, Murphy served in the Minnesota House Representatives as part of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) from 1977 to 2023, representing Districts 14B (1977-1983), 8A (1983-2003), 6B (2003-2013), and 3B (2012-2023). Her tenure serves as the longest for a female legislator in Minnesota history, and second longest for any legislator. In 1985, she unsuccessfully ran for the Minnesota Senate.

In her early legislative career, Murphy frequently served on the following committees and subcommittees: Labor-Management Relations; Commerce Economic Development, and Housing; and Appropriations (1977-early 1990s). In the mid 1990s, Murphy work shifted to the committee roles of: Judiciary Finance; Capital Investment; Ethics; and Crime Prevention. Much of this same committee work continued into the 2000s-2020s, however, she incorporated new roles in the following committees and subcommittees: Ways and Means; Public Safety Policy and Finance; Education Finance; Government Operations; and Legacy Funding Finance.

Mary Murphy was heavily active in historical preservation, including working as ground manager in her later career, serving as a member of the Minnesota Statehood Sesquicentennial Commission from 2006 to 2008, and serving on Legacy Funding Finance Committee to finance natural and cultural resources in Minnesota.

Murphy lost reelection in 2022 to opponent Natalie Zeleznikar.

Mary Catherine Murphy died at the age of 85 from complications of a stroke on December 25, 2024.


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Expand/CollapseARRANGEMENT

These papers are organized into the following sections:

Subject files, A-Z
Democratic National Convention (DNC), DFL Caucus Issue Cards, Hubert Humphrey, Eugene McCarthy
Local government matters and issues (Cloquet to Two Harbors)
Mary's teaching materials
Appointment calendars and cassette tapes
Correspondence, A-Z
Correspondence from Mary C. Murphy
Thank you cards, letters, and messages
Photographs
Campaign materials, election certificates, endorsements
Ephemera and miscellany


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Expand/CollapseADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Availability:

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Mary Catherine Murphy Personal and Legislative Papers. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession number: 18,003

Processing Information:

Processed by: Leif Kopietz, August 2025

Catalog ID number: 9989885240204294


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DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Expand/CollapseSUBJECT FILES, A-Z

LocationBox
147.E.14.1B1Index.
Abortion, 1996-1998, 2022.
AFDC report, March 1986.
Report prepared by the Human Resources Division of the House Appropriations Committee reviewing Minnesota's program of aid to families with dependent children (AFDC).
Arrowhead Regional Corrections Center, September 20, 2022.
Artwork, 1991.
Awards and recognitions, 1980s-2010s. 2 folders.
Battered Woman, 1980s-2000s.
Bill signing certificates, 2019, 2022.
Biography, undated, 1974, 1986, 2022.
Blueberry Muffin, 1987-1988, 2007.
LocationBox
Shelf Q-12-H (Room B105.7)5Blueberry Muffin Gang, March 24, 1988. 1 videocassette (VHS).
Muffin story, KSTP-TV, undated. 1 videocassette (VHS).
LocationBox
147.E.14.1B1Bonding and capital investment, 1990s, 2017-2022. 2 folders.
Capitol essay contest, 2017.
Capitol restoration, 1990s, 2017.
Central High School, 1989-1991.
Chaplain/prayers, 1990s-2022.
College of St. Scholastica, 1988-1989, 2006, 2008. 2 folders.
LocationBox
147.E.14.3B2COVID-19, 2020-2022.
Diary and guest books, 1977-1979, 1993-2000.
Death penalty, 1989-1992.
Economic development, 2015 February-April.
Education, 1997, 2015-2020.
Energy, 1991-1992.
Figure Skating Association USA, October 2, 1969.
Fireworks, 1993-1996.
Gaming, 1992-1993.
Gun related, undated, 1994, 1998.
LocationBox
153.A.18.1B-114Gun related, undated.
LocationBox
147.E.14.3B2Mary's Hermantown high school/reunion, 2000.
Health Human Services, 1996-1997, 2019.
Initiative and Referendum, January 1993.
Jackson Projects, 2011, 2014.
Judiciary, 1993-1997, 2019.
U.S. Judge Gerald W. Heaney, 1983-2004. 2 folders.
Law enforcement, 1999, 2020.
Legislative pay severance, 1977, 1980.
Legislative reports by Mary, 1977-1978, 1993-2020s.
Letterhead (sample) envelopes, undated.
Library, 2005, 2009, 2020-2022.
Maple syrup legislation, 2020-2022.
Maps, June 2, 1972.
LocationBox
153.A.18.1B-114Maps: Duluth and Two Harbors precincts, 2012.
LocationBox
147.E.14.3B2Minimum wage tip credit, 1983-1987, 1994, 2004-2005, 2017. 2 folders.
LocationBox
147.E.14.4F3Mondale for President, February 1983.
Munger Trail Spur, July 2015.
Newspaper clippings, 1980s-2020.
Non compete legislation, 2003-2004.
Notes, undated, 1975, 1982, 2018-2020.
Northwest Airlines, 1991-1992.
Pension related, 1989, 2003, 2013.
Rudy Perpich, 1977, 1995.
Polls/surveys, 1980. 2 folders.
Potlach, 1991-1992.
Precinct maps, 1992, 2010.
Presidential electors, December 1, 2016.
Presidential Inauguration, 1965, 1977, 1993, 1997.
Press/media releases, 1980-1981, 1987-2000, 2013-2014, 2020.
Produce Day legislation, 1994-1996.
Public appointments, 1990-1993, 2001, 2009, 2011.
Radio spots, undated, 2002, 2004, 2018.
Ranger Party Dance cards, May 1977.
Real ID, 2017.
Redistricting, Nos. 1-2, 2021. 2 folders.
Regulated industries, 1977, 1979.
Resolutions, 1995-1996, 2017.
Right to Die, 2015.
Rule of '85, 1983 April-May.
LocationBox
147.E.14.5B4Same sex marriage, 2013. 2 folders.
Speeches, engagements, talking points, 1980s-2022. 2 folders.
Superfund site, 2004.
Tip credit, 1984.
Taxes, Nos. 1-2, 1987-2001, 2014-2018. 2 folders.
Transportation, 2007-2010, 2016, 2018-2019.
Tribal College, 1994-1996, 1999.
University of Minnesota Duluth ribbon cutting, October 10, 1987.
Unicameral Legislature, 1986, 1999-2000.
Union collective bargaining, 1992-1993, 1997.
Volunteer Drivers, March 2021.
Voting, January 2021.
Western Lake Superior Sanitary District, 1982-1984.
White House Christmas tree, February 29, 1988.
Women in Leadership, 2011.
Workers' compensation, April 1988.

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Expand/CollapseDEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION (DNC), DFL CAUCUS ISSUE CARDS, HUBERT HUMPHREY, EUGENE MCCARTHY

LocationBox
147.E.14.5B4Index.
Democratic National Convention, 1964.
Democratic National Convention, 1968. 2 folders.
LocationBox
153.A.18.1B-114The Democratic National Convention, 1936. 1 volume.
Various convention materials, 1968. 2 folders.
LocationBox
147.E.14.6F6Democratic National Convention, 1972.
Democratic National Convention, 1974.
Democratic National Convention, 1976. 2 folders.
Democratic National Convention, 1984.
Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), undated, 1969, 1971, 1974, 1976, 2000, 2016, 2024.
DFL Caucus issue cards, 1986, 2011-2016, 2021-2022.
Hubert H. Humphrey and Eugene McCarthy, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1974, 1976.

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Expand/CollapseLOCAL GOVERNMENT MATTERS AND ISSUES (CLOQUET TO TWO HARBORS)

LocationBox
147.E.14.6F6Index.
Cloquet, 1989.
Duluth, 1969, 1989, 1996, 2002-2007, 2012.
Esko schools, 1989 January-April.
Hermantown, 1987-2020. 2 folders.
Hermantown: Health and Wellness, 2014-2016.
LocationBox
147.E.14.7B7Proctor, 1988-2020. 2 folders.
Range schools, 2019.
St. Louis County, 1977, 1985, 1989, 2011.
Two Harbors, 2013-2019.

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Expand/CollapseMARY'S TEACHING MATERIALS

LocationBox
147.E.14.7B7Index.
Books and teaching aids. 2 folders.
Dirty politics: A Great old American tradition? Margaret Capeci, Schloat Productions, 1975.
Mary's credits and transcripts, 1950s-1970s, 1990s.
Mary's continuing education, 1967, 1970s, 1987, 1991-1992.
Mary Murphy's certificates, contracts, etc., 1960s-1990s.
Political and editorial cartoons. 1 folder and 1 videocassette (VHS).
LocationBox
153.A.18.1B-114Political and editorial cartoons.
LocationBox
147.E.14.7B7Teaching labor history.
Tests and exams, undated.

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Expand/CollapseAPPOINTMENT CALENDARS AND CASSETTE TAPES

LocationBox
147.E.14.8F8Index.
Weekly and personal calendar, 1988.
Monthly: Tentative schedule, Economic Development Committee, Divisions and Subcommittees, 1989.
Weekly calendar, 1990.
Monthly calendar, 1991.
Monthly and weekly calendars, 1993.
Monthly calendar, 1994.
Daily calendar and monthly Judiciary Finance Committee calendar, 1995.
Monthly and weekly calendars, 1996-1998. 3 folders.
Weekly calendar and monthly Judiciary Finance Committee calendar, 1999.
Monthly and weekly calendars, 2001.
Weekly calendars, 2002-2006, 2010, 2013, 2018, 2021. 5 folders.
LocationBox
Shelf Q-12-H (Room B105.7)5Cassette tapes:
Unknown content, November 30, 1970. 1 audiocassette.
Health Insurance Trade Bill, State of Economy, National Health Security Act, 1971. 1 audiocassette.
Mary Murphy, 1980-1981. 1 audiocassette.
Harold Stassen, April 13, 1983. 1 audiocassette.
Radio commercials and Joint E.C. Committee, 1983. 1 audiocassette.
Retreat speaker, January 21, 1988. 1 audiocassette.
Midday, September 21, 1989. 1 audiocassette.
Mondale at retreat, January 24, 1990. 1 audiocassette.
Ed Burdick bust ceremony, May 23, 1990. 1 audiocassette.
Hermantown Utility, May 12, 1992. 2 audiocassettes.
Criminal Justice and Family Law, March 24, 1993. 1 audiocassette.
Crime Prevention Finance, S.F. 1503, April 12, 1993. 1 audiocassette.
Judiciary Committee, April 14-15, 1993. 2 audiocassettes.
House Session, H.F. 1505, 46th Day, Representative Murphy speech, April 29, 1993. 1 audiocassette.
House Sessions, 52nd Day, S.F. 1503, and 53rd Day, S.F. 1046, May 1 and 7, 1993. 2 audiocassettes.
Opening Day Session, Irv sworn-in, February 22, 1994. 1 audiocassette.
Labor Management Committee, March 14, 1994. 3 audiocassettes.
Judiciary Committee, March 18, 1994. 1 audiocassette.
Corrections Bill and Capital Investment, April 7, 1994. 1 audiocassette.
Capital Investment, April 20, 1994. 2 audiocassettes.
House session, Representative Murphy speech, veto override, May 6, 1994. 1 audiocassette.
Mary Murphy master, October 28, 1994. 1 audiocassette.
Legislative workshop, February 8, 2006. 1 audiocassette.
Unknown content, 1997, 1999, 2001-2005, 2007, 2011. 7 audiocassettes.
Mary Murphy campaign ads, undated. 1 audiocassette.
Mary Murphy, 8A, undated. 1 audiocassette.

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Expand/CollapseCORRESPONDENCE, A-Z

LocationBox
147.E.14.8F8Index.
A:
Abortion.
Advice for new members.
Adoptions.
Affordable housing.
Animal issues.
B:
Banking.
Battered women.
Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) funding.
Blueberry muffin.
Breast reduction.
Business related.
C:
Capitol restoration.
Child abuse.
Civil commitments.
Clean water.
Climate change.
Companion Animal Board.
Concealed carry.
Craft beer.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD).
Correspondence - congratulations letters, 1970-2020. 3 folders.
Constituent service requests, 1977-2022:
Constituent services requests/issues.
Constitutional amendments.
D:
Disabilities issues.
Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Duluth Airport.
Duluth Depot.
Duluth economic infrastructure.
Duluth Flood.
Donation correspondence - campaign.
LocationBox
147.E.14.9B9E. 2 folders:
Economic development and tourism.
Education.
Elected official/official correspondence.
Endorsements.
Energy.
ERA.
F:
Family law system.
Firefighters.
Fish hatcheries.
Fishing licenses.
G:
Gaming/lottery.
Gay and Lesbian rights
Grain storage.
Grandparent rights.
Grants.
Grateful students.
Guardian Ad Litem.
Guns and firearms.
H. 2 folders:
Health Care and Human Services matters.
Hermantown budget cuts.
Hermantown flood plain.
Hermantown Kolar Project.
Hermantown Mogie Lake Project.
Higher education.
Hunting.
I:
Impaired drivers.
Insurance.
Invitations - events and speaking engagements.
Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRRB)
J:
Judicial appointments.
M:
Minimum wage.
Mining.
MHS Heritage Preservation.
MnSCU - Credit/Military training.
"MnSure. Munger Trail resurfacing."
N:
Native American/Tribal initiatives.
Northern Lights Express.
North Shore Railroad.
O:
Open records.
Order of final arguments.
P. 2 folders:
Parental leave.
Personal care attendant - PCA.
Personal correspondence.
Pollution Control Agency (PCA).
Powerlines.
Probation officers.
Public defenders.
Public employees.
Public pensions.
Public utilities.
R:
Rail safety.
Rank choice voting.
Real ID.
Recycling.
References and recommendations.
Retirement.
Right to Know.
RSVP Program.
S
Seatbelts.
Social work.
Sports betting.
State grant programs - Higher education.
State parks.
State Patrol.
Suicide prevention.
T:
Taxes.
Time share fraud.
Tip credit.
Transportation.
U/V:
U of M.
U of M Regents.
Unemployment.
Unions.
USPS.
Vaccine exemptions.
Veterans.
Victims of abuse.
W:
Worker’s compensation.
911:
Training.

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Expand/CollapseCORRESPONDENCE FROM MARY C. MURPHY

LocationBox
147.E.14.10F10Index.
Correspondence - contributions, 1978-2024.
Correspondence, 1960s.
Mary's handwritten drafts, undated, 1972.
Correspondence, 1972, 1974, 1976-1982, 1988-1989, 1992, 1994, 1996-1997, 2000-2001, 2004, 2008, 2012-2014, 2016-2017, 2019-2022. 32 folders.

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Expand/CollapseTHANK YOU CARDS, LETTERS, AND MESSAGES

LocationBox
147.E.14.10F10Index.
1972, 1977-1985. 12 folders.
LocationBox
147.E.13.1B11 1986-2024. 38 folders.
Thank yous' elected officials, undated, 1970s-2024. 2 folders.
Thank yous', undated. 3 folders.
LocationBox
147.F.11.3B12Thank yous', undated. 2 folders.

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Expand/CollapsePHOTOGRAPHS

LocationBox
147.F.11.3B12Index.
Campaigns, undated, 1990s-2000s.
Capitol, undated, 1995, 2007:
Quadigra.
House restoration.
Various.
Celebrities, undated, 1994, 2008:
Tony Oliva, Twins Baseball.
Sandra Day O'Connor, U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
Irish Prime Minister.
Committees, undated, 1980s, 2000s:
Committee meetings/hearings.
Committee members.
Committee Chair.
Committee presentations.
Governors, undated, 1976, 1980s, 2000s:
Governor Wendell Anderson.
Governor Tim Pawlenty.
Governor Rudy Perpich.
Governor Albert Quie.
Group meetings - with Mary C. Murphy, undated, 1980s-2010s:
Miscellaneous.
In Mary's office.
Mary's class reunion.
Headshots, 1978-2020s:
Various.
Casual shots.
House floor, 1970s-2020s:
Speaking/Leading.
Chamber.
Women House members.
House/Senate members, 1970s-2020s:
Various with members.
After party.
Humphrey/Mondale, undated, late 1970s, 1984, 2000s.
National Democratic politics, undated, 1968, 1990s-2000s:
Hillary Clinton.
John Edwards.
Michael Dukakus.
John Kerry.
Democratic National Committee (DNC) slides.
Ribbon cutting/ground breaking, undated, 1990s, 2017:
Various.
State Capitol, 2017.
School groups, 1980s-2010s.
Speaking engagements, 1980s-2010s.
Travel, undated, 1987-2001:
Camp Ripley.
U.S. Coast Guard.
Europe - National Guard.
Minnesota State Band.
National Guard.
Personal.
U.S. Congress: House/Senate, undated, 1979. 1980s-2010s:
Rick Nolan.
Jim Oberstar.
Paul Wellstone.
Wind Energy, undated.
Richard Nixon presidential family photograph, July 15, 1969.

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Expand/CollapseCAMPAIGN MATERIALS, ELECTION CERTIFICATES, ENDORSEMENTS

LocationBox
147.F.11.3B12Index.
Campaigns, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1984. 6 folders.
LocationBox
147.F.11.4F13Special Senate election, 1985. 2 folders.
Campaigns, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022. 19 folders.
Campaign donations, 1996-2002, 2012-2013, 2020-2022.
Election certificates, 1976, 1978, 1986, 1994, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2016, 2022.
Election results, 1990s, 2020, 2022.
Endorsements, 1988-2022.
Nomination certificates, 1976-2020.
Signs, undated, 1990s-2022.

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Expand/CollapseEPHEMERA AND MISCELLANY

LocationBox
147.F.11.4F13Mary Murphy memberships, 1965, 1969:
National Circle, Daughters of Isabella, 1965 April-May.
United Nations Association of the United States of America, 1969.
LocationFolder
A2/ov8 Drawer 91Political posters, 1904, 1975, 1984:
For President Theodore Roosevelt of New York and for Vice President Charles W. Fairbanks of Indiana, 1904.
Wendy Anderson, U.S. Senate, 1975.
Mondale, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, 1984.
Ferraro for America, 1984.
LocationBox
153.A.18.1B-114Political cartoon: "Willard Munger says: 'If I lived in Proctor I'd vote for Mary Murphy.'" undated.

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Expand/CollapseCATALOG HEADINGS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics:
Political campaigns -- Minnesota.
Political conventions -- United States.
Campaign literature.
Teachers -- Minnesota.
Educational law and legislation -- Minnesota.
Labor policy -- Law and legislation -- Minnesota.
Women -- Law and legislation -- Minnesota.
Criminal justice, Administration of -- Minnesota.
Historic sites -- Construction and restoration -- Finance.
Commerce.
Persons:
McCarthy, Eugene J., 1916-2005, author.
Humphrey, Hubert H. (Hubert Horatio), 1911-1978, author.
Anderson, Wendell Richard, 1933-2016, author.
Mondale, Walter F., 1928-2021, author.
Wellstone, Paul David, author.
Organizations:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.
Minnesota. Legislature. House of Representatives.
Places:
Hermantown (Minn.) -- Politics and government.
Duluth (Minn.) -- Politics and government.
Document Types:
Audiocassettes.
Bills (legislative records).
Photographs.
Speeches (documents).
Videocassettes.
Occupations:
Legislators -- Minnesota.
Politicians -- Minnesota.

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