Manuscripts Collection
In 1958, while still in law school, Anderson, a Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party member, was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives, and was re-elected in 1960. He was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1962 and 1966, and was selected as one of two outstanding Minnesota legislators by the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. He also served as chairman of the 1968 Humphrey for President campaign in Minnesota.
Anderson was elected governor of Minnesota in 1970, focusing his campaign on the need to reduce the burden of high property taxes, and to provide local communities--primarily schools--with major non property revenues from the state. He chaired the Democratic Governor's Conference (1974-1975) and was a member of the Democratic National Committee during the same period. He was re-elected governor in 1974, but resigned in December 1976 to accept appointment to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Walter F. Mondale after his election as vice-president. Anderson was defeated by Independent-Republican Rudy Boschwitz in the 1978 general election.
Following his senate service, Anderson remained active in the DFL Party and served for a number of years on the University of Minnesota Board of Regents.
Anderson married Mary Christine McKee of Bemidji in 1963. They had three children, Amy, Elizabeth, and Brett, before they divorced in 1990. Anderson died on July 17, 2016 at the age of 83.
Senatorial files include general correspondence, legislative assistants' files, bill and other legislation files, case work files, and St. Paul office files. Legislative areas of particular significance are agriculture, energy matters, environmental concerns, social legislation, and transportation.
Remaining materials provide documentation of Anderson's career as a state representative and senator during the 1960s, as well as photographs and scrapbooks documenting personal and public activities, including photographs of the Anderson and extended families, participation as a member of the U.S. Hockey Team, awards and certificates, and miscellaneous related materials.
These documents are organized into the following sections:
Gubernatorial files of Wendell Anderson are in the Minnesota State Archives.
Digital masters of the sound and moving image recordings are maintained on the Society's secure digital collections storage servers and are managed and preserved in accordance with archival best practices.
Original audiotape reels and audiocassettes were disposed after the recordings were digitally reformatted into WAV and MP3 audio files, October 2016.
Accession number(s): 11,498; 11,823; 12,449; 14,174; 2009-33
Digital audio and video files transferred from the master sound and moving image recordings by the Minnesota Historical Society for preservation purposes, October-November 2016.
Catalog ID number: 001714543
The general correspondence files of the senator's staff are arranged by computer access numbers that refer to the date the file was processed and by which staff member. In order to find correspondence with a particular individual the researcher must consult a computer print-out index to the files. The indexes to the 1977 and 1978 files are contained in Box 76. The indexes also denote the type of files (issue mail, casework, administrative, or request) and the subject of the file. There is no ready means of subject access, however; the indexes are arranged alphabetically by correspondents' names. While most of the correspondence is with constituents, some letters are from other legislators, government officials, lobbyists, and other people interested in various sorts of legislative action. The series contains all correspondence that does not directly relate to legislation in which Anderson was involved; all such correspondence may be found in the legislative files that follow this series. See Box 76 description in inventory for detailed instructions on use of computer print out indexes.
One sample copy of each Robo letter (robotically-signed, personalized form letters); arranged numerically.
These files, created and managed by Anderson's legislative assistants, provide a record of the office's activities with regard to particular legislative issues. The files contain staff notes and collected data, position papers, memoranda to the senator, and correspondence with constituents, lobbyists, governmental agencies, and other legislators. The files are arranged by staff member and thereunder by legislative issue.
Railroad matters.
Aviation and highway matters.
Includes files on St. Croix River.
These files consist of correspondence, memoranda, position statements, speeches, and printed matter relating to bills sponsored or co-sponsored by Anderson. The files are in a rough chronological order by bill number. Senate resolutions follow the bills sequence and are also in numerical order.
Files are arranged alphabetically by constituent's name.
Executive assistant.
both offices.
There is a separate index for each year.
Instructions on how to use the print-out indexes:
All files are filed in numerical order using the Julian date system. Each individual file has a ten digit document number stamped on the top of it. Example: 7156242036
First digit: 7 stands for the year 1977.
Second, third and fourth digit: 156th day of the year.
Fifth and six digit: Operator number (meaning the person who typed the file).
Seventh digit: will always be the number 2, meaning it is a file.
Eighth, ninth, and tenth digit: 036 would mean this is the 36th file entered on the 156th day of the year.
Each box is labeled with the year and the date the files were completed.
Each print-out is listed in alphabetical order. The constituent's name and address appear and then directly under that the initials of the aide that processed the file. Other information contained on the print out is as follows: the type of document (issue, files, case, project, etc.); the topic and subtopic of the file (example: Topic-Health Subtopic- Nurse Training); the date the file was completed; and the document number.
Arranged in chronological order.
Miscellaneous bills and related files.
Includes Governor Anderson's 1956 Olympics passport.
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7/31/1970 statement regarding interest rates.
[197-] real estate taxes-tax bills signed - "Is the governor anti-business?" Minnesota Tax Payers Association.
6/10/1971 Governor speaking at 1971 Boy's State Gustavus Adolphus.
7/10/1971 Governor speaking at American Legion Convention-Rochester.
8/21/1971 Jackson County banquet.
10/4/1971 Bagley poll - J. Lee.
11/1/1971; Association of Cooperatives.
3/26/1971 Statement on 1971 tax bill.
10/30/1971 Tax bill signing statement.
11/8/1971 Duluth steelworkers.
12/2/1971 Schoolman's Day lunch - "Right to Read" program - Hilton hotel.
1/5/1972 Address to YMCA model legion.
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1/20/1972 Tours of handicapped institutions.
3/1/1972 Harry Sieben fundraiser-Hastings.
3/18/1972 Madison Minnesota DFL dinner.
4/4/1972 DFL Faribault County.
4/13/1972 Opening meeting of EQC.
4/14/1972 Senator Humphrey speaking at Mondale dinner.
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Kelm news conference.
9/29/1973 WRA testimony before Humphrey committee-energy.
9/27/1973 WRA speech-Mower County DFL.
9/29/1973 WRA speech-Senate fundraiser.
9/27/1973 WRA Austin press conference.
10/3/1973 WRA press conference Duluth.
10/3/1973 WRA Telephone Building dedication Duluth.
10/4/1973 banker's lunch Minneapolis.
10/14/1973 senior citizens forum Channel 9.
10/9/1973 WRA at Bethel-Arab-Israeli War.
10/10/1973 WRA press conference-campaign financing.
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10/10/1973 WRA press conference-campaign financing (continued).
11/16/1973 press conference Thief River Falls.
11/19/1973 interview with Capitol Press.
11/09/1973 WRA Plymouth groundbreaking.
11/20/1973 WRA press conference in Mankato.
11/23/1973 WRA Minutemen dinner, Crookston, MN.
11/26/1973 WRA Bergiano dinner, Alexandria.
11/28/1973 WRA interview Pasiolis.
11/29/1973 WRA interview KELO TV.
11/29/1973 WRA speech to HECC at Radison South.
11/30/1973 WRA speech to issues conference.
11/30/1973 WRA press conference - Colorado.
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9/6/1974 WRA at ILPA Convention Minneapolis.
9/5/1974 WRA media stop in Fargo-Moorhead.
9/12/1974 WRA press conference at the Capitol.
9/7/1974 WRA media stops Rochester-Austin-Mankato.
9/12/1974 WRA at Minneapolis Institute of Arts.
9/15/1974 WRA press conference Lyon County.
9/17/1974 WRA KWLM-AM interview, Willmar.
9/23/1974 WRA taped message to AFL-CIO, John Johnson's speech to AFL-CIO.
9/24/1974 WRA speech to AFL-CIO, Duluth.
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11/1/1974 Remarks at Duluth news conference.
11/1/1974 Remarks to Duluth labor leaders.
11/1/1974 Remarks to tri-tower senior citizens.
11/5/1974 Remarks of Governor, Senator Mondale, and Senator Humphrey, election night, Minneapolis, Leamington Hotel-to DFLers.
11/6/1974 Remarks at news conference (re: election).
12/20/1974 Remarks at press conference (re: metro council appointments and Governor's phone conversation with robbers holding hostages).
11/26/1974 Welcome to White House Conference on energy at Radisson Hotel, Minneapolis.
11/26/1974 Remarks to National Special Education Conference (also at Radisson-appearance was impromptu).
11/26/1974 Remarks at inauguration of University of Minnesota president, C. Peter McGrath, Northrup Auditorium, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
11/2/1974 Remarks at DFL fundraiser, Duluth.
11/29/1974 Remarks at press conference (re: appointment of Secretary of State Erdahl and Frank Marzitelli-as PSC and highway commissioner).
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1/22/1975 The Merv Griffin Show (Metromedia-tape 1/22 and aired at various dates).
1/28/175 KROC-TV, Rochester air check re: Governor's appearance at Day Activity Center for Tom Resner for State Senate.
1/29/1975 Interview with reporters, re: Reserve Mining case.
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4/19/1975 Speech at Arizona Democratic party banquet, Phoenix, AZ.
4/11/1975 Dornfield/Shellum interview, re: Governor's legislative scorecard.
4/25/1975 World Food Needs conference, University of Minnesota-St. Paul, remarks.
4/26/1975 press conference, Gary, IN with Mayor Richard Hatcher, Dick Gregory, and Jesse Jackson (see tape 20 for speech to fundraiser for Hatcher).
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4/26/1975 Mayor Thatcher fundraiser, Gary, IN.
4/29/1975 Interview with Barb Hunter, Capitol Press.
5/2/1975 News conference on 'Media Day' with new appointments announced.
5/7/1975 Appearance on WCCO Radio for 25th anniversary of announcer Howard Viken.
5/1975 Steve Dornfeld interview.
5/10/1975 Charleston, South Carolina TV interview, followed by speech to South Carolina democrats, Charleston (intro by Governor Bob McNair).
5/14/1975 Interview with Rochelle Barnhart of Viking News, re: end of session, Russia trip.
5/19/1975 Press conference in Capitol press room re: end of session, Russia trip.
5/22/1975 Governor on phone from Kiev, Russia on WCCO Radio.
5/31/1975 Interview with KSTP TV re: Russia trip part I.
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5/31/1975 Part II of KSTP TV interview with Paul Brandt, re: Russia trip.
6/4/1975 Interview with Jimmy Reed of WDGY Radio, Minneapolis, re: Russia trip (note: also did promo spots).
6/5/1975 Interview with Barbara Hunter, re: state issues.
6/6/1975 News conference in capitol press room, re: 1975 legislative session.
6/8/1975 Meet the Press, NBC TV, from New Orleans National Governor's Conference with six other governors, 60 minutes.
6/2/1975 News conference, re: decision not to call special legislative session, Russia trip (was live on WCCO Radio).
6/12/1975 Bob O'Keefe, Bill Fox, Gerry Nelson, and Betty Wilson interview.
6/18/1975 MPR coverage of MACI tour by Bill Siemering of KCCM-FM, Moorhead (in three parts).
6/25/1975 Greetings to National Association of Social Workers in Twin Cities.
6/28/1975 News conference with Governor Richard Kneip in Mitchell, SD.
6/28/1975 Speech to South Dakota democrats at Mitchell, SD.
7/2/1975 WWTC Radio, Minneapolis, interview, re: Red River flood tour.
7/2/1975 KMSP TV 5 PM news (Red River flood tour).
7/2/1975 WCCO Radio, 5 PM news (Red River flood tour).
7/2/1975 National News and Information Network, WWTC, 5:15 PM.
7/2/1975 Minnesota Public Radio, KSJN-FM.
7/2/1975 NBC Nightly News.
7/2/1975 WCCO Noon News.
7/2/1975 Interview with Bob O'Keefe and Gerry Nelson.
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8/25/1975 Debbie Gage of KSJN Radio for NPR-feature on Minnesota politics.
9/9/1975 Airport arrival from China with newsmen.
9/9/1975 WCCO TV Loescher report on China return.
9/9/1975 Governor interview in Tokyo, re: oil sale to United States from China.
9/11/1975 WCCO TV Loescher report on news conference with members of delegation to China.
9/11/1975 KMSP TV report on China return.
9/11/1975 China delegation news conference.
9/15/1975 22 1/2 minutes of Governor at Southwest State in Marshall-meeting of state department heads.
9/15/1975 Interview with Ed Black of KMHL Radio, Marshall and Independent (newspaper), re: department heads meeting.
9/18/1975 News conference with Minnesota High School Press Association.
9/15/1975 Sioux Falls, SD news conference.
9/28/1975 25th anniversary of Hazeldine Alcoholic Treatment Center, St. Paul Civic Center.
9/30/1975 Interview with Hal Bruno of Newsweek magazine.
10/12/1975 Education marathon.
10/2/1975 (approximately) KEYC TV, Mankato and other area radio reporters-interviews in Mankato.
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10/12/1975 Greetings to "Salute to Heritage" program (part of Norwegian-American Sesquicentennial) at Minneapolis Auditorium (note: King Olav was present).
10/12/1975 KMSP TV "Senior Citizens Forum".
10/17/1975 Interview with Ben Cate of Time Magazine's Chicago bureau.
10/18/1975 DFL House causus dinner remarks, Minneapolis Radissch Hotel-downtown.
10/20/1975 Governor Anderson-Governor Lucey joint news conference in Madison, WI.
10/19/1975 Governor Lucey intro and Governor Anderson's speech at Madison-Wisconsin Century Club.
10/23/1975 Interview with Nancy Werner of "MPLS" magazine, re: fashion.
10/23/1975 News conference at Capitol.
10/28/1975 Executive Council meeting, re: Buhl, Minnesota emergency fiscal/coal situation.
10/29/1975 News conference in Fargo, ND.
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9/3/1976 WRA interview with Barry Peterson (WCCO-TV) and others after dutch elm news conference.
9/17/1976 WRA at various stops on Sue Rockne tour in Red Wing area.
10/5/1976 WRA press conference re: Reserve Mining.
10/5/1976 Q and A following Reserve Mining press conference.
10/15/1976 WRA - two interviews in Austin, MN.
10/18/1976 WRA interview prior to speech re: Hearnes for Senate in St. Louis.
10/18/1976 WRA remarks re: Governor Hearnes at St. Louis.
10/20/1976 WRA interview with KSTP-TV re: critical areas>.
10/21/1976 WRA interview with KWOA Radio in Worthington.
10/22/1976 WRA interview with KEYC TV with Gloria Griffin.
10/23/1976 WRA at Carter-Mondale bus tour kick-off.
11/1/1976 WRA intro of Senator Mondale at Airport Welcome.
11/1/1976 WRA interview with WWTC Radio at airport.
11/3/1976 WRA interview with WTCN TV re: election results and Senate appointment.
11/2/1976 WRA intro of Hubert Humphrey over phone on election night and press interviews at Leamington Hotel.
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12/11/1976 Governor's intro of Vice President Mondale at Minneapolis Auditorium.
12/16/1976 WRA interview with Steve Dornfield.
12/16/1976 WRA interview with Gerry Nelson.
12/23/1976 Anderson on Twin Cities Today.
12/27/1976 WRA interview with KTCA re: drugs and alcohol.
12/28/1976 WRA interview with Scene II - Channel 4.
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Interview: Wendell Anderson (Jack Horner) Rudy Boschwitz campaign 1978.
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Boundary Waters advertisement.
Property tax advertisement.
Reading program - right to read.
Inflation.
Senior citizens - frozen real estate taxes (version 1 and 2).
VoTech concerns.
School district funding - fair school.
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Includes Wendy's parents, Ted and Gladys, his brothers, and the Nord family.
Includes several pieces of original artwork by political cartoonist, Jerry Fearing.
Includes Governor Anderson's high school diploma, and his U.S. Army officer commissions.
Include newspaper clippings and programs concerning Governor Anderson’s hockey teams at Johnson High School (St. Paul), the University of Minnesota, and the 1956 Olympics team. Also, newspaper clippings regarding Governor Anderson's political career, and photographs.