Senator Edward William Brooke, III: History Maker and Statesman

This exhibition traces the distinguished political career of Massachusetts senior statesman Senator Edward W. Brooke, III. Through a chronology of photographs and awards that comprise the recently acquired Edward W. Brooke Collection, beginning with his days campaigning for the state office of Attorney General in 1962, this exhibition covers his historic election as the first African-American elected to major statewide office, followed by his election as the first African-American to serve in the United States Senate since Reconstruction. Brooke appears alongside many of the Commonwealth's most distinguished political figures: Leverett Saltonstall, Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr., John A. Volpe, and Elliot Richardson. The Freshman Senator from Massachusetts is shown with his Republican colleagues from the Senate in formal group portraits as well as more informal settings. Of political interest are the photographs of Senator Brooke participating in the Republican National Convention of 1968, where he would favor Nelson Rockefeller over Richard Nixon as a presidential candidate. While active in the Nixon administration, there are images of the Senator with other Presidents as well. Lyndon Johnson made a special gift of an inscribed photograph to Brooke. Gerald Ford is also photographed with the Senator in the Oval Office. In addition to photographs, the exhibition contains significant awards received by Senator Brooke, including the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom, bestowed upon him by President George W. Bush in 2004. We are honored to be able to present this exhibition as a tribute to a great man's dedication to the service of his state and of his country.

Located on the first floor of Mugar Memorial Library. The Exhibit can be viewed Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.