Organizing and cataloging the senatorial papers of Howard M. Metzenbaum (1917-2008) is underway in the Library. Senator Metzenbaum, a prominent Cleveland lawyer and businessman, was elected to and served three terms in the United States Senate from Ohio from 1976 to 1995. Known in the senate as the "Conscience of the Senate” and the “Champion of the People,” he played an important role in legislation affecting Greater Clevelanders as well as Ohio and the nation. Read Howard Metzenbaum’s biography >

When transferred to the WRHS from Washington, the papers originally occupied 730 boxes. The contents document Senator Metzenbaum’s legislative and committee activities, constituent relations, campaigns, office operations, and public relations. Many of the issues with which he was involved are still relevant today. Among these are civil rights, energy, abortion, consumer and labor concerns, the environment, the future of Israel, and the arts.

Work on this project began last fall with the approval and support of Senator Metzenbaum and his family. The objective is to professionally sort and arrange his papers and describe them in a manner that facilitates access to them by scholars and researchers. A detailed inventory of the final collection will be prepared and a bibliographic description of the collections will be entered onto the WRHS online catalog and WorldCat, thus making information available world wide.

With the encouragement and participation of Senator Metzenbaum’s family and close friends, WRHS set up a special Metzenbaum Fund to underwrite the cost of processing this extensive and complex collection. The funding allowed WRHS to hire experienced archivists and purchase the archival supplies necessary for the storage and preservation of this collection. More than 100 family members and friends contributed to this fund. View the list of contributors >

Completion of this project is scheduled for the spring of 2009. Unfortunately, Senator Howard M. Metzenbaum died on March 12, 2008. However, his legacy will not be lost and the record of his many achievements on behalf of the citizens of the United States will be preserved and available for educational and public purposes.


The collection is being processed by a staff lead by Hannah Kemp-Severence.
See some of her reactions and follow the project's progress >