Genevieve R. Herrell Collection, 1929/1997, bulk 1952/1977

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication.

Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Genevieve R. Herrell Collection, 1929-1997 (bulk 1952-1977), Ms2026-066, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
4.5 Cubic Feet 11 boxes
Creator:
Herrell, Genevieve R. (Genevieve Raders), 1916-2013, Herrell, Calvin B., Sgt. (Calvin Brooke), 1913-1991, Herrell, Gregory Raders, 1953-, American Greetings Corporation, Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969, Eisenhower, Mamie Doud, 1896-1979, Hallmark Cards, Inc., Johnson, Lady Bird, 1912-2007, Johnson, Lyndon B. (Lyndon Baines), 1908-1973, Truman, Bess Wallace, Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972, Truman, Margaret, 1924-2008, United States. Army, United States. Army. Special Photographic Office, and United States. White House Photographic Office
Abstract:
Framed items, including cards, notes, ephemera, and photographs, documenting Genevieve R. Herrell's service as a civilian nurse for the US Army assigned to the White House. The collection documents her service beginning with the Harry S. Truman administration until her retirement when Gerald Ford left office in 1977. Also includes oral history with Herrell's son Greg Herrell, who graduated from VT with a BA in history in 1975.
Language:
The majority of the materials in the collection are in English. There are some items in Mandarin.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Genevieve R. Herrell Collection, 1929-1997 (bulk 1952-1977), Ms2026-066, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The Genevieve R. Herrell Collection includes documents related to Herrell's family and career. The majority of the collection is focused on her time working in the White House Medical Unit and her interactions with United States Presidents and their families.

The family materials include personal correspondence, awards, photographs, and documents related to Herrell's husband and son.

The career documents include items specific to the White House Medical Unit as well as items related to her work during the presidential administrations of Harry Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard M. Nixon, and Gerald Ford. There are also some items related to presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush.

Biographical / historical:

Genevieve Margaret Raders was born 22 September 1916 in Lena, Illinois and died 03 September 2013 in Kingsport, Tennessee. Genevieve's parents were Edwin Hugo Raders (1884-1956) and (Agnes) Margaret Gaffney (1881-1918). Her father worked as a farmer. She married Calvin Brooke Herrell (1913-1991) in December 1942 and they had one son, Gregory Raders Herrell, in July 1953.

"[Genevieve] Herrell loved nursing and began her career as a stewardess nurse on the railroad. During this time, she met Cal Herrell in 1942 as he traveled home to be inducted into the Army. They secretly married in December 1942 and settled in Virginia after the war. In 1952, Herrell, then a civilian nurse for the [United States] Army, received an assignment that would change her life: to assist in the care of Margaret Wallace, Harry S. Truman's mother-in-law, who often stayed at the White House. This initial role evolved into a position with the White House Medical Unit, where Herrell would serve until Gerald Ford left office and she retired on December 31, 1976."

--Source: Puckett, E. M. (2024, Fall-Winter). The presidents' caregiver: Virginia Tech alumnus donates mother's unique collection, offering private glimpses into presidential history. Imagine: University Libraries at Virginia Tech, 6(2), 22–23.

"Over a span of two hundred and seventeen years the medical care of the president has shifted from episodic to permanent, informal to formal, civilian to military, and individual to bureaucratic. Emphasis has been redirected from the medical response to an acute illness or a medical emergency towards the maintenance and improvement of the president's baseline health status. Additionally, the responsibilities of the WHMU [White House Medical Unit] physicians have proliferated. These include the medical management of the explosive growth of foreign and domestic presidential travel, the continuous care of the vice president and his family, the demands of the Twenty-fifth Amendment, increased public scrutiny and the extraordinary security requirements of the protracted global war on terror." --Source: Deppisch, L. M. (2007). The White House physician : a history from Washington to George W. Bush. McFarland & Company, p. 201.

The first White House physician was Dr. Samuel Bard during the administration of George Washington. From that time until the 1920s, physicians treated presidents for specific instances of illness. In the 1920s, an official government position "White House Physician" was created, formalizing a role that Dr. Presley Rixey had performed for around 20 years

Over time, the physician role evolved from treatment of specific instances of illness to oversight of the president's general heath. It then continued to expand to include medical care for the president's family. After the Twenty-fifth Amendment to the Constitution was adopted, the physician gained responsibility for proper implementation of its provisions regarding presidential disability and succession. Following this, medical care was extended to the vice president and vice president's family.

Eventually, the medical responsibilities within the White House grew beyond the ability of one person to satisfy. The White House Medical Unit was eventually formed to see to the medical care of the president, vice president, and their families. The White House Medical Unit would later add responsibility for medical care of diplomats and foreign leaders visiting the White House as well as rapid emergency medical care for any White House staff or visitors.

Acquisition information:
The Genevieve R. Herrell Collection was donated to Special Collections and University Archives in September 2024.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Genevieve R. Herrell Collection was completed in June 2026.

Arrangement:

The collection is organized into eleven series.

Series I: Herrell Family includes documents, photogrpahs, and correspondence related to the Herrell family. The series has six subseries:

  • Subseries I: Genevieve Herrell includes items related to Genevieve's education, achievements, and personal life. It is further divided into two sub-series:
    • Sub-Subseries I: Awards and Certificates
    • Sub-Subseries II: Personal Correspondence
  • Subseries II: Calvin Brooke Herrell includes documents related to Genevieve's husband.
  • Subseries III: Gregory Raders Herrell includes documents related to Genevieve's son.
  • Subseries IV: Photographs includes family photographs.
  • Subseries V: Recipes includes recipes not linked to specific presidential administrations.
  • Subseries VI: Souvenirs includes souvenirs not linked to specific presidential administrations.

Series II: White House Medical Unit includes materials related to Genevieve's work as part of the White House Medical Unit. It has four subseries:

  • Subseries I: Staff Materials
  • Subseries II: Events and Invitations
  • Subseries III: Photographs
  • Subseries IV: Press Coverage

Series III through X are focused on materials from specific presidential administrations. Each has up to seven subseries depending on the materials in the collection.

Series III: Truman (1945-1953) includes five subseries:

  • Subseries I: Correspondence
  • Subseries II: Events and Invitations
  • Subseries III: Presidential Travel
  • Subseries IV: Photographs
  • Subseries V: Presidential Memorabilia which includes Christmas Gift Prints.

Series IV: Eisenhower (1953-1961) includes six subseries:

  • Subseries I: Correspondence
  • Subseries II: Events and Invitations
  • Subseries III: Photographs
  • Subseries IV: Presidential Memorabilia which includes Christmas Gift Prints.
  • Subseries V: Press Coverage
  • Subseries VI: Campaign Material

Series V: Kennedy (1961-1963) includes five subseries:

  • Subseries I: Correspondence
  • Subseries II: Events and Invitations
  • Subseries III: Photographs
  • Subseries IV: Presidential Memorabilia which includes Christmas Gift Prints.
  • Subseries V: Campaign Material

Series VI: Johnson (1963-1969) includes five subseries:

  • Subseries I: Correspondence
  • Subseries II: Events and Invitations
  • Subseries III: Photographs
  • Subseries IV: Presidential Memorabilia which includes Christmas Gift Prints.
  • Subseries V: Recipes

Series VII: Nixon (1969-1974) includes seven subseries:

  • Subseries I: Correspondence
  • Subseries II: Events and Invitations
  • Subseries III: Presidential Travel
    • which has eight subseries:
    • Sub-Subseries I: Brussels, U.K., Germany, Italy, France (1969)
    • Sub-Subseries II: Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Pakistan, Romania (1969)
    • Sub-Subseries III: China (1972)
    • Sub-Subseries IV: Austria, U.S.S.R., Iran, Poland (1972)
    • Sub-Subseries V: Austria (1974)
    • Sub-Subseries VI: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Israel, and Jordan (1974)
    • Sub-Subseries VII: North Atlantic Council meeting, Brussels (1974)
    • Sub-Subseries VIII: Moscow Summit (1974)
  • Subseries IV: Photographs
  • Subseries V: Presidential Memorabilia which includes Christmas Gift Prints.
  • Subseries VII: Campaign Material
  • Subseries VIII: Recipes

Series VIII: Ford (1974-1977) includes seven subseries:

  • Subseries I: Correspondence
  • Subseries II: Events and Invitations
  • Subseries III: Presidential Travel
  • Subseries IV: Photographs
  • Subseries V: Presidential Memorabilia which includes Christmas Gift Prints.
  • Subseries VI: Press Coverage
  • Subseries VII: Campaign Material

Series IX: Reagan (1981-1989) includes Events and Invitations materials from the Reagan White House.

Series X: Bush (1989-1993) includes Correspondence and Campaign Material.

Series XI: Unknown Administration includes undated items that could not be linked to a specific presidential administration.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard