The Presidential historical materials of the White House Conference on Aging are in the custody of the National Archives and Records Administration under the provisions of Title I of the Presidential Recordings and Materials Preservation Act of 1974 (44 U.S.C. 2111 note) and implementing regulations. In accordance with the act and regulations, archivists reviewed the file group to identify personal and private materials (including materials outside the date span covered by the act) as well as nonhistorical items. These materials have been returned to the individual who has primary proprietary interest.

Materials covered by the Act have been archivally processed and are described in this register. Items which are security classified or otherwise restricted under the act and regulations have been removed and placed in a closed file. A Document Withdrawal Record (GSA Form 7279 or NA Form 14021) with a description of each restricted document has been inserted at the beginning of each folder from which materials have been removed. A Document Control Record marks the original position of the withdrawn item. Employees of the National Archives will review periodically the unclassified portions of closed materials for the purpose of opening those which no longer require restriction. Certain classified documents may be declassified under authority of Executive Order 13526 in response to a Mandatory Review Request (NA Form 14020) submitted by the researcher.

• Linear feet of materials:   2.3
• Approximate number of pages:   6,000

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Scope and Content Note

The White House Conference on Aging was convened at the behest of President Richard M. Nixon as a follow-up to a similar conference held in the waning days of the Eisenhower Administration. The objective of the Conference was to provide a forum for representatives of older Americans throughout the country to discuss and propose solutions to the unique problems facing the elderly in this country.

The Conference, directed and organized by the Commissioner on Aging John B. Martin, was preceded by a series of forums, hearings, meetings and additional White House Conference at the State and local levels. The conclusions of the Conference were to be translated into a plan of action to be implemented during the succeeding year.

Dr. Arthur S. Flemming was chosen to chair the Conference. Other persons mentioned in the files include Americans both young and old, chosen to participate in the event. Members of the Nixon Administration are rarely named in this collection.

This collection contains primarily printed and released materials, both in form of press releases, pamphlets, minutes and reports. No inter-office or personal correspondence is included. The first portion of the collection, which pertains primarily to the pre-Conference, Conference, and post-Conference period is arranged chronologically. The succeeding half of the collection which contains booklets and pamphlets is arranged alphabetically by folder title.

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Series Description

Boxes:   1-3
Series:   Chronological Files | Folder Title List
Spans:   1961-1972
Description:   Reports, guides, readers, press releases, organizational forms, programs and minutes. Topics include selection of delegates and participants, organization of the state, local, and national conferences, selection of topics and various committees. Also included are post-Conference meetings and conclusions.

Boxes:   4-7
Series:   Alphabetical Files | Folder Title List
Description:   These files consist solely of booklets and pamphlets entitled Background and Issues, and Delegate Work Book which cover the subjects dealt with at the conference.

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Folder Title List

Available as a searchable pdf file.

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