The University of Vermont Magazine, Fall 2023

Legacy PRESERVING A

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arlier this year, several semitrucks rolled up to UVM’s Library Research Annex in Williston and disgorged more than 3,000 white cartons containing nearly 50 years of American history—the Leahy Archive.

Retired U.S. Senator and current UVM President’s Distinguished Fellow Patrick Leahy donated his personal Senate papers to the University of Vermont’s Jack and Shirley Silver Special Collections Library, joining a rich tradition of Vermont public servants who have entrusted their personal records to UVM. Leahy’s papers—a physical record of the culmination of 48 years in public office— will ultimately be archived in the ground floor of the Howe Library where, over the course of the next several years, they will be cataloged and organized by a team of congressional papers archivists and student interns, led by Chris Burns, interim director of Silver Special Collections and university archivist. Their work is aided by the senator’s prescient hiring of an on-staff archivist for many of his years in office.

UVM Dean of Libraries Bryn Geffert said the research value of Leahy’s collection is extraordinary, given not only the length of the senator’s service but also the breadth

and importance of committees, initiatives, and projects in which he was involved.

“Senator Leahy has unique insights and experiences invaluable to historians and scholars studying the history of both our state and our nation,” Geffert said. “By donating his papers, Leahy ensures that future generations have access to a wealth of primary source materials from one of the most prominent legislators of the last half-century.”

“I am humbled that Vermonters chose me to represent them in the United States Senate for nearly 50 years.” Leahy said. “These papers document the many issues for which I advocated on behalf of Vermonters as well as relationships, events, and moments that I look back on with fondness. I am thrilled that they will be archived by UVM and shared with the public.”

In the following pages, just a small sampling of the documents and objects in the archive shows the range of material that gives insight on the third longest Senate career in U.S. history.

Special thanks to Chris Burns, interim director of the Silver Special Collections, and archivists Shir Bach, Sally Blanchard-O'Brien, and Erica Donnis for their assistance with this story.

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