Albert Gore Research Center

07/02/2026

The Albert Gore Research Center will be closed on Friday July 3 in observance of Independence Day. We hope that everyone enjoys some summer fun this holiday weekend.
This photograph shows Al Nagy and two of his comrades enjoying the weather in the Philippines in 1945, shortly after the end of World War II. Al Nagy served as a radio operator in the 37th Infantry Division in the Pacific Theater and was present during the invasion of Luzon. He later served as a journalism faculty member at MTSU, eventually becoming the dean of the College of Mass Communication.

07/01/2026

In 1971, more than 10 million 18– to 20-year-olds got the right to vote thanks to an amendment with bipartisan support

07/01/2026

The Gore Center mourns the loss of Prof. Jonathan Trundle, who unexpectedly passed away last week. Prof. Trundle was a devoted teacher, a skilled photographer, and a friend of the Gore Center. We will miss his good cheer, warmth, and enthusiasm. We offers our deepest sympathies to his family.

The June 26 death of "beloved" Middle Tennessee State University photography professor Jonathan Trundle shocked his students and fellow educators.

06/30/2026

We hope all who celebrated had a wonderful Pride Month. Did you know that the Gore Center has scanned copies of historical LGBTQ+ publications such as Dare (later renamed Query), Xenogeny, and the Gay Cable Network Guide? For now, you can explore Nashville LGBTQ+ history from the comfort of your home by visiting the Digital Collections page on our website (link in bio). We hope to move these scans to a more browsable home soon, so keep an eye out for future digital collection news!

If you would like to see these issues and non-publication collection items in person, you can find them in our OutCentral Collection.

06/18/2026

Happy Juneteenth! This holiday, we celebrate the end of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865. In observance of this holiday, we will be closed on Friday and will reopen on Monday, June 22nd.

This photograph is of the founding members of the Black Student Union at MTSU, which can be found in the News and Public Affairs Collection.

05/14/2026

The Spring Semester has ended and the summer break has arrived. Congratulations to those who have graduated! We hope both graduating and continuing students have appreciated the opportunity to put down their textbooks and enjoy their newfound free time!

While students are away, the Gore Center is still open and ready to help with any research inquiries. We will be open Monday to Thursday, 9:00am to 4:00pm during the summer. Research can be done on Fridays by appointment only.

This photograph of Jim Free tossing a book in the air is from the James C. Free Papers. Free was serving as Clerk of the House at the Tennessee State Senate when this moment was captured. We wonder what inspired such a celebration?

04/01/2026

Senate staff members did not staple this set of documents together 20 years ago as a prank. However, when an archivist goes to remove 2 staples only to find 6 more, it can certainly feel like one! Happy April Fool’s Day!

03/14/2026

Today we celebrate Pi Day! In 2009, Representative Bart Gordon sponsored House Resolution 224 which designated March 14 (3/14) as National Pi Day. The measure was intended to encourage educators to observe the day with activities geared toward teaching students about Pi and encouraging the study of mathematics.
The first item shown is a newspaper article about the designation of National Pi Day sent to Bart Gordon’s Congressional Office by his clipping service. This clipping, as well as other records documenting Representative Gordon's time in office, can be found in the Bart Gordon Congressional Papers.
Next, we have a dessert page from Pauline Gore’s cookbook in which we can learn about a different, but just as exciting, type of pie. This cook book is part of the Johnny Hayes Political Memorabilia Collection.

03/02/2026

Last Friday, a group of archivists and graduate assistants from the Gore Center volunteered as judges for the 2026 Middle Tennessee Regional History Day contest. We had a great time talking to students about their historical essays, exhibits, documentaries, performances, and websites! We hope they enjoyed their time at MTSU and that they’ll be motivated to use this experience to further develop their skills as historians!

02/23/2026

We at the Albert Gore Research Center are happy to celebrate African American History Month. In observance, we would like to bring you a story from Sidelines and the Midlander, the MTSU campus newspaper and yearbook collection.

Let us introduce you to George Sorrell pictured wearing his now retired jersey, number 40, on the left. As a formidable member of the MTSU Basketball Team in 1974-1975, Sorrell led the team to the first MTSU NCAA tournament in 1975 and reached regional quarter finals. He was the leading rebounder and Most Valuable Player in the Ohio Valley Conference of 1975. He was the first and only player to have their basketball jersey retired at MTSU to date.