The three main portions of the holdings are photographs, videotapes, motion picture film, and sound recordings created by White House support staff from 1981-89. These three segments comprise the core materials of the largest and most comprehensive audiovisual collections of any U. S. President:

1. The White House Communications Agency (WHCA) collection includes videotapes of President Reagan's appearances and other events related to his administration, taped directly from network broadcasts. WHCA also made audiotapes of the public speaking engagements of President Reagan, his staff, and First Lady Nancy Reagan.

2. The White House Photographic Office collection contains over 1.5 million photographs of the daily activities of President Reagan, his staff, and the First Lady.

3. The White House Television Office (WHTV) collection, produced directly by White House staff members, consists primarily of videotapes and motion picture film of the daily activities of President Reagan.

Researchers may request copies of audiovisual material by telephone, correspondence, or in person. Duplication of videotape is possible for all material in the public domain. Some footage, however, such as network news commentaries, is copyrighted and duplication is restricted under the copyright law to only private study, scholarship, or research. In addition, certain other items are restricted by copyright, and researchers have to obtain permission from the owner for duplication. Only selected collections are open to on-site research in the Library's AV research room, depending on the availability of audiovisual equipment.

Definitions of collection titles for the Audiovisual Collections:

• Federal Records
  Identified as National Archives "Records," and include a Record Group number such as RG 274.

• Presidential Records
  • Office files. Identified as "Office Records."
  • Staff files. Identified by individual name as "Staff Files."
• Donated Historical Materials
  Identified by individual name as "Papers."

SECTION I: WHITE HOUSE CORE COLLECTIONS

WHITE HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY (WHCA), VIDEOTAPES: 1981-89 (6,986 items)

The WHCA videotape collection consists of 1", 3/4", and 1/2" VHS videotapes. WHCA videotaped for White House use, many of President Reagan's televised appearances and the nightly news and public event broadcasts of ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, C-SPAN, and PBS. The videotapes, arranged by media format and chronologically thereunder, include President Reagan's televised public appearances, speeches, and press briefings; network programs featuring President Reagan, Mrs. Reagan, and White House staff; daily news reports from the major news networks; Republican and Democratic National Conventions (1984 & 1988); 1981 and 1985 Inaugurations; Congressional Iran-Contra hearings; and Senate confirmation hearings on Presidential nominations for judicial and administration posts. Pool coverge of Presidential events, including speeches and press briefings aired by the networks, are considered public domain and are not subject to copyright restrictions. The majority of this collection is open for research in the audiovisual research room. Requesters may obtain copies all items, except those restricted by copyright. Finding aids include log books. Open for research

WHITE HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY (WHCA), AUDIOTAPES: 1981-89 (17,380 items)

The WHCA audiotape collection consists of 1/4" reel to reel tapes, and audio cassettes. The audiotapes are arranged chronologically and include President Reagan's speeches and Saturday radio addresses, White House press briefings, and other public statements of the First Lady and senior administration officials. Finding aids include log books. Open for research pending the acquisition of AV equipment

WHITE HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHIC OFFICE: 1981-89 (ca. 1,554,750 photos)

This collection consists of color and black & white photographs. The Photographic Office had five photographers that provided day-to-day coverage of President Reagan's two terms in office. The photographs are arranged chronogically, and document the daily activities of President Reagan and Mrs. Reagan. Included within these photographs are speeches, state dinners, foreign and domestic trips, trips to Rancho del Cielo and Camp David, White House staff meetings, Cabinet meetings, Oval Office meetings, portraits of staff members, press briefings, 1984 campaign, and Nancy Reagan events. The collection is a Presidential Record and therefore covered by the provisions of the Presidental Records Act. Currently, only photographs previously released by the White House are open for research. Segments open for research

WHITE HOUSE TELEVISION OFFICE (WHTV): 1981-89 (6,799 items)

This collection consists of Betacam, 1", 3/4", and 1/2" VHS videotapes, 16mm color motion picture film, and 1/4" reel to reel audiotapes. The WHTV film crews provided day-to-day footage of President Reagan's activities from the routine Oval Office visits to ceremonial state visits. The videotapes are arranged chronologically and include speeches, press briefings, state visits, domestic trips and foreign trips, photo opportunities with staff and dignitaries, trips to Rancho Del Cielo and Camp David, bill signings, swearing-in ceremonies, staff meetings, and Oval Office visits. This material is in the public domain. Finding aids include log books. Segments open for research

SECTION II: AV COLLECTIONS

DAVIS, KATHRYN R.: 1967-68 (149 items)

Black & white and color photographs of Ronald Reagan as Governor of California. Covered by Deed of Gift

EVANS, MICHAEL A. W.: 1975-80 (28,432 items)

TIME, SYGMA photographer covering Ronald Reagan: color and black & white transparencies and negatives of Reagan's campaign for the Presidency in 1976 and 1980. Closed for research pending Deed of Gift

EVANS, MICHAEL A. W.: 1981-85 (15,894 items)

Personal Photographer to President Reagan: black & white photographs documenting Evans' Portrait Project. Covered by Deed of Gift

GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATRE: 1954-57 (45 items)

16mm motion picture film of various television episodes of GE Theatre, with Ronald Reagan as narrator and as actor. Permission required for duplication

HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY: 1993 (50 items)

Audio cassettes documenting the three-day Presidential Conference on Ronald Reagan, held at Hofstra University in April 1993. Open for research

JAY GOLD FILMS, INC.: 1981-89 (510 items)

16mm and 35mm motion picture film, 3/4" and 1/2" VHS videotapes, 1/4" reel to reel audiotapes, and audio cassettes used to compile "The Reagan Years" film. Closed for research pending Deed of Gift

REAGAN, NEIL: 1966 (179 items)

16mm motion picture film, 1/4" reel to reel audiotapes, and 2" videotapes of Ronald Reagan's 1966 campaign for Governor of California. Closed for research pending Deed of Gift

RONA, GABOR: 1950-60 (22 items)

Photographer: Pre-Presidential black & white photographs of Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan. Covered by Deed of Gift

RONALD REAGAN LIBRARY COMPOSITE AV COLLECTION: 1989-present (192 items)

Color and black & white photographs, Betamax, 3/4", and 1/2" VHS videotapes, audio cassettes donated to the Library by various individuals. Open for research

RONALD REAGAN LIBRARY: 1989-present (1,800 items)

Color photographs of various Library events taken by the Reagan Library staff photographers. Open for research

VLHA, SCOTT: 1991-92 (446 items)

Photographer: Color photographs of Library events. Covered by Deed of Gift

SECTION III: AV COLLECTIONS

COMMUNICATIONS, WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF: Records, 1981-89 (78 items)

1", 3/4", and 1/2" VHS videotapes, 35mm motion picture film, audio cassettes and 1/4" reel to reel audiotapes of campaign debates and the President's trips to Los Angeles and San Antonio in 1981. Also, includes footage of President Reagan's East Asian trip in November 1983. PRESIDENTIAL RECORDS Open for research

CRIBB, KENNETH T.: Files, 1981-88 (1 item)

Office of Domestic Affairs: 1/2" VHS videotape relating to the American Red Cross. PRESIDENTIAL RECORDS Open for research

DRUG ABUSE POLICY, WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF: Records, 1982-89 (224 items)

Betamax, 3/4", and 1/2" VHS videotapes, audio cassettes, 1/4" reel to reel, and an audio disc documenting the activities of the Drug Abuse Policy Office, including activities of Dr. Carlton Turner and Dr. Ian Macdonald, the "Just Say No" program, and anti-drug television spots. PRESIDENTIAL RECORDS Open for research

FIRST LADY, WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF THE: Records, 1981-89 (517 items)

Betacam, 3/4", and 1/2" VHS videotapes, audio cassettes, and 1/4" reel to reel audiotapes received by the Office of the First Lady documenting the activities of anti-drug programs and activities of the First Lady in the "Just Say No" campaign. Also included is coverage of the First Lady's foreign trips. PRESIDENTIAL RECORDS Open for research

HERRINGTON, JOHN: Papers, 1985-89 (387 items)

Secretary of Energy: 3/4" and 1/2" VHS videotapes, photographs, audio cassettes, and 1/4" reel to reel audiotapes documenting the activities of the Secretary of Energy, including speeches, briefings, and interviews. Covered by Deed of Gift

HUMMEL, FRED: Papers, 1988-91 (811 items)

Reagan Library Project Manager: color and black & white photographs documenting the planning & construction of the Reagan Library. Covered by Deed of gift

INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF: Records, 1981-89 (2 items)

3/4" videotapes documenting the activities of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. PRESIDENTIAL RECORDS Open for research

MEDIA AND BROADCAST RELATIONS, WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF: Records, 1981-89 (487 items)

Betacam, 1", 3/4", and 1/2" VHS videotapes, 16mm motion picture film, audio cassettes, and 1/4" reel to reel audiotapes documenting the activities of the Office of Media and Broadcast Relations including public service announcements and Presidential messages and interviews. PRESIDENTIAL RECORDS Open for research

MEESE, EDWIN, III: Files, 1981-85 (73 items)

Counsellor to the President: 3/4" and 1/2" VHS videotapes, audio cassettes, and 1/4" reel to reel audiotapes documenting the activities of the Counsellor to the President, including speeches, interviews, and meetings. PRESIDENTIAL RECORDS Open for research

NATIONAL ARCHIVES COLLECTION OF RECORDS OF INAUGURAL COMMITTEES (RG274): Records, 1980-81 (8,521 items)

2" and 3/4" videotapes, 1/4" reel to reel audiotapes, photographs and transparencies documenting the 1981 inauguration of President Reagan and the activities of the 1981 Presidential Inaugural Committee. Open for research

NATIONAL ARCHIVES COLLECTION OF RECORDS OF INAUGURAL COMMITTEES (RG274): Records, 1984-85 (1,370 items)

3/4" and 1/2" VHS videotapes, photographs and transparencies documenting the 1985 inauguration of President Reagan and the activities of the 1985 Presidential Inaugural Committee. Open for research

PLANNING AND EVALUATION, WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF: Records, 1981-89 (5 items)

3/4" and 1/2" VHS videotapes received by the Office of Policy and Evaluation. PRESIDENTIAL RECORDS Open for research

POLICY DEVELOPMENT, WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF: Records, 1981-89 (45 items)

Videotapes documenting the activities of the Office of Policy Development, including footage of the 1983 White House Conference on Productivity, and the 1983 Presidential Rank Awards. PRESIDENTIAL RECORDS Open for research

PRIVATE SECTOR INITIATIVES, WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF: Records, 1981-88 (919 items)

Betamax, 1", 3/4", and 1/2" VHS videotapes, 16mm motion picture film, audio cassettes, 1/4" reel to reel audiotapes, and transparencies documenting the activities of the Office of Private Sector Initiatives. Many of the items were received by the Office of Private Sector Initiatives. PRESIDENTIAL RECORDS Open for research

PRESIDENT'S TASK FORCE ON PRIVATE SECTOR INITIATIVES (RG220): Records, 1981-82 (138 items)

Color and black & white photographs documenting the activities of the Presidential Task Force. Open for research

PUBLIC AFFAIRS, WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF: Records, 1981-88 (13 items)

3/4" and 1/2" VHS videotapes received by the Office of Public Affairs on a variety of subjects. PRESIDENTIAL RECORDS Open for research

PUBLIC LIAISON, WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF: Records, 1981-89 (1 item)

3/4" videotape relating to Soviet dissidents. PRESIDENTIAL RECORDS Open for research

REAGAN-BUSH CAMPAIGN, 1980: Audiovisual collection (2,216 items)

The 1980 campaign collection consists of photographs and transparencies, 2", 1", and 3/4" videotapes, audio recordings, and 16mm and 35mm motion picture film. The collection is arranged chronologically and includes Ronald Reagan's speeches, television spots, campaign commercials, and other public appearances during the 1980 campaign. Closed for research pending Deed of Gift

REAGAN-BUSH CAMPAIGN, 1984: Audiovisual collection (1,295 items)

The 1984 campaign collection consists of Betacam, 1", 3/4", 1/2" VHS videotapes, 1/4" reel to reel audiotapes, audio cassettes, and 16mm and 35mm color motion picture film. The collection is arranged chronologically and includes Ronald Reagan's television spots, campaign commercials, and other public appearances during the 1984 campaign. Closed for research pending Deed of Gift

REAGAN, RONALD: Pre-Presidential Papers, 1911-81 (248 items)

Color and black & white photographs, 1/2" VHS videotapes, audio discs, and 16mm motion picture film documenting Ronald Reagan's career before becoming President. Closed for research pending Deed of Gift

RECORDS MANAGEMENT, WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF (WHORM): Alphabetical (Name) File, 1981-89 (3 items)

Photographs and audio cassettes transferred from the White House Office of Records Management Alphabetical File. PRESIDENTIAL RECORDS Processed portions open for research

RECORDS MANAGEMENT, WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF (WHORM): Subject File, 1981-89 (388 items)

Betamax, 3/4", and 1/2" VHS videotapes, color and black & white photographs, 1/4" reel to reel audiotapes, audio cassettes, and audio discs transferred from the White House Office of Records Management Subject File. PRESIDENTIAL RECORDS Processed portions open for research

RONALD REAGAN LIBRARY: Historical material regarding the Library's initial museum exhibit, 1989-91 (1,018 items)

Photographs, negatives, and transparencies compiled for initial Reagan Library museum exhibit by the design firm of Donovan & Green. Open for research

SMITH, WILLIAM FRENCH: Papers, 1981-85 (47 items)

Attorney General: Betamax, 3/4", and 1/2" VHS videotapes, and audio cassettes documenting the activities of the Attorney General, including meetings and interviews. Covered by Deed of Gift

SOCIAL AFFAIRS, WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF: Records, 1981-89 (86 items)

Miscellaneous audio discs received by the White House Social Affairs Office. PRESIDENTIAL RECORDS Open for research

WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE FOR A DRUG FREE AMERICA: Records, 1987-88 (432 items)

Photographs and transparencies, audio cassettes, 3/4" and 1/2" VHS videotapes documenting the activities of the White House Conference including Conference panels and workshops. PRESIDENTIAL RECORDS Open for research

WHITE HOUSE GIFT COLLECTION: Records, 1981-89 (2,999 items)

Videotapes, motion picture film, laser discs, audiotapes, audio cassettes, audio discs, compact discs, photographs, transparencies, and film strips donated to President Reagan during the administration by various individuals. PRESIDENTIAL RECORDS Open for research

WICK, CHARLES Z.: Papers, 1981-89 (26 items)

Chairman, 1981 Inaugural Committee: 1" and 3/4" videotapes of the 1981 Presidential Inauguration. Covered by Deed of Gift

WRIGHT, JOSEPH R.: Papers, 1982-88 (344 items)

Deputy Director, Office of Management and Budget: 3/4" videotapes, and transparencies documenting Joseph Wright's activities with Reform '88 and Management Council Conference. Covered by Deed of Gift.