Congressman Barney Frank Archives Collection
The Claire T. Carney Library Archives and Special Collections at UMass Dartmouth is home to the papers of former Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank. The majority of the collection documents his U.S. congressional career, 1980-2012, including records from his district offices in Newton, Taunton and New Bedford. National issues covered include financial reform, gay rights, the housing crisis, immigration reform, military spending, and environmental protection. Congressman Frank served on the Financial Services Committee from 2003 to 2012, and as its chairman from 2007. During this time he oversaw passage of the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (H.R. 4173), better known as the Dodd-Frank bill. Local issues in the collection include fishing regulation, commuter rail, immigration and the environment. Records of his many electoral campaigns for the U.S. House of Representatives, 1980-2010 include the hard-fought win over Republican Margaret Heckler in the 4th district in 1982.
The collection also includes material on legislation he sponsored between 1973 and 1980 when he served in the Massachusetts State Legislature. Processing the collection is nearly complete after a 2 1/2 year project. The finding aid will be available online during the Spring 2019 semester via our ArchivesSpace portal.
For information on access to the collection before this time, contact Judy Farrar at jfarrar@umassd.edu or 508-999-8686. The Congressman Barney Frank Archives reading room, located on the third floor of the Claire T. Carney Library, is open to the public on a limited basis on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, but can be opened by special request through the main archives at any time Monday through Friday 9:30-5. Appointments are strongly recommended.
