The Congressional Papers of U.S. Senator Jesse Helms contain a wealth of personal and professional correspondence, press files, speeches, voting records, photographs, and audio/visual materials. These records are essential for understanding the life and times of U.S. Senator Jesse Helms, the United States Congress and modern United States history.

As joint custodians with Wingate University, we are dedicated to providing access to our collection by adhering to current archival standards and best practices. Our vision is to be recognized as a repository of primary source materials with a special commitment to documenting the life of Senator Helms.

In order to provide outstanding service and accomplish this, we will:
Our Digital Collection helps us achieve our vision. By providing online access to some of our textual and non-textual records we are able to reach a more broad and diverse audience.
  • Exhibit

    1972 North Carolina Senate Race

    "Tonight, let us all join hands in re-dedication to the real meaning of america. Let us, in good faith and true faith, prepare to send a message to Washington – a message that only a decent and honorable and prudent America can fulfill the hopes and dreams of our people. that kind of america we must have; that kind of american we will have."

    Those words were spoken on November 7, 1972, the night Jesse Helms won his first election to the United States Senate. It has been 53 years since that first victory and below you can view some items from the archives related to the Senate campaign. 

  • Exhibit

    1972 Election Speeches

    In 1972, Jesse Helms did not know whether he would win or lose his first senate campaign. That night, he prepared two speeches: one for victory and one for concession. 

    Of course, Helms ended up celebrating the first of five campaign victories and that is the speech he gave that night.

    Fortunately, the single copy of the concession speech was saved and became part of our collection. In it, we see that Senator Helms was prepared for any outcome, respected the democratic process, and demonstrated his willingness to honor the will of the people, not taking his victory for granted.

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