From the Collection: This series consists of three subseries organized by format - cassette tapes, open-reel tapes and phonograph records. The contents are similar in that they consist of recordings of Muskie's speeches and other public remarks, including question-and-answer sessions, press conferences, radio and television interviews and news broadcasts, campaign spots for broadcast over radio or television, and congressional hearings. Almost all were made by Muskie's Senate or campaign staff for later reference. The recordings also contain a large number of audio press releases, called "beepers", prepared by Muskie's senate staff.
Most of the open-reel tapes were recorded in the 1960s, but that subseries also includes a wire recording of a 1954 Democratic program and a contemporaenous Republican television program, which includes remarks by Vice President Richard M. Nixon. Starting in 1968, the staff increasingly relied on cassette tapes. The cassette tapes include a recording from 1958 (originally recorded on an open-reel tape player, but donated to the archives on a cassette tape) in which Muskie shared an Old Orchard Beach stage with Louis Armstrong and Bette Davis. The cassette tapes also include brief journal entries from Muskie and several members of his staff.
