Correspondence, reports, memoranda, parole requests, budget proposals, legislative bills, invitations, telegrams, clippings, published reports, speeches, statements, press releases, meeting minutes, and agendas documenting all facets of the operation of the Office of the Governor, state government, and various issues before the governor. Correspondents include the general public, state agency and commission officials, political organizations, and federal agency officials. Generally copies of the governor's or his private secretary's response, along with supporting information, are attached to incoming correspondence. The general correspondence series contains the bulk of Governor Sanford's executive papers. Larger subject files within the general correspondence series include education (see also "Assembly, General" subject heading, "education" subheading), educational institutions, black educational institutions, Conservation and Development, and highway programs. Also includes records relating to the United Forces for Education Legislature Program, Educational Television, the Governor's School for Gifted High School Students, and the North Carolina School of the Arts. There is considerable correspondence from the general public supporting and attacking the governor's program to finance improvements in public education, as well as information on the 1963 state senatorial redistricting program, which includes information on redistricting programs in other states.

Correspondence, legal briefs, extradition and requisition forms, court orders, and affidavits regarding extraditions to and from North Carolina. Includes formal requisitions for extradition from the governors of various states, as well as Governor Sanford. Also includes correspondence relating to licensing and bonding for special police officers who were appointed by the governor, licensed and bonded by the state, and employed by various private corporations.

Originals and copies of speeches, statements and press releases made by the governor in an official capacity. The records reflect a variety of Governor Sanford's programs and initiatives as well as general local and statewide issues and events. Includes a chronological index of appointments, speeches, releases, statements and appearances made by the governor.

Files of clippings from newspapers and other publications related to prominent issues. Includes files on the ABC Board, bonds, bills, the Democratic and Republican parties, education, the Highway Commission, the National Guard, prisons, capital punishment, the General Assembly, articles, poverty, and other issues.

These records consist of copies of commissions of appointment, correspondence, and other miscellaneous items concerning the appointments made by Governor Sanford. There are also letters of recommendation written to him and copies of his replies, suggesting names for appointment to various state offices, or requesting his endorsement of persons for various Federal appointments, and oaths of office.

Correspondence, pamphlets, reports, clippings, applications, and transcriptions relating to the work of the Governor's Special Assistant for Educational and Cultural Affairs, John Ehle. The records reflect initiatives in several progressive educational programs including: the North Carolina School for the Performing Arts, the Governor's School for Gifted High School Students, the Institute of Outdoor Drama, North Carolina Volunteers, the North Carolina Fund, the North Carolina Film Board, the Peace Corps, the North Carolina Advancement School, and the Learning Institute of North Carolina. This series also includes information on the Governors' Conference series, a series of discussions with national authorities on the future of North Carolina, including Edward Higbee, R. Buckminster Fuller, Jerome B. Wiesner, John Ivey, and William O. Baker. Also includes printed transcriptions of these discussions.

These records are principally the correspondence and general file of Mr. Graham Jones, press secretary for Governor Terry Sanford, and his office for the period 1961-1964. The series also includes memoranda, correspondence, invitations, reports, schedules, and agendas reflecting public appearances and statements by Governor Sanford. In addition, the records contain memoranda authorizing releases to the press, files on various subjects (such as Democratic groups; education; the Good Neighbor Council; radio and television station managers; and segregation, among others), statements regarding demonstrations, special messages to the General Assembly, press clippings, and requests for information.

Questionnaires, correspondence, speeches, ordinances, and meeting minutes relating to the Mayors' Cooperating Committee on Race Relations. The committee, composed of twelve North Carolina mayors, was charged by Governor Sanford to develop guidelines and strategies to maintain law and order during civil rights demonstrations, while simultaneously opening discussions with civil rights leaders. Governor Sanford believed that local municipalities should be the focal point for any state response to these demonstrations. The committee sent questionnaires to various cities and towns across North Carolina to assess municipal responses to civil rights protests. The responses to these surveys compose the bulk of these records. Also included in a copy of the published findings of the committee entitled, .

Reports (printed and drafts), pamphlets, questionnaires, charts, graphs, meeting minutes, and correspondence documenting the work of the several committees of the governor's commission. Establish by Governor Sanford in 1963, the commission was charged to review the progress, consider the potential, and make recommendations on areas affecting women professionally and domestically. The committees of the commission were as follows: Social Insurance and Taxes; Protective Labor Legislation; Employment Policies; Civil and Political Rights; Voluntary Organizations and Expanded Services; Educational Training; Health, Family, and Welfare Services; and Citizen Participation. Dr. Anne Firor Scott served as the chair of the commission.

A tape recording of Governor Terry Sanford's inaugural address, January 5, 1961. Includes two reels located in "Box 5."

Registers of visitors to the Governor Terry Sanford's office and to the Executive Mansion.

These records represent a miscellaneous series of documents detailing various activities and projects conducted by Governor Terry Sanford and his administrative staff. Many of the subjects deal with key issues of Governor Sanford's administration, such as education, poverty, and state government efficiency. There are also records detailing Governor Sanford's work with various state commissions. In addition, there are items concerning Terry Sanford's personal activities while governor. These records relate to Methodist College, Society of Prodigal Sons, and honorary awards. The series also includes speeches and press releases, similar to records found in the Press Secretary's General Files. The X-100 file was specifically designed to handle miscellaneous items created by the governor.

Commutation, pardon and reprieve certificates granted by Governor Terry Sanford in accordance with his powers of clemency under Section 6, Article III of the North Carolina Constitution. During the Sanford gubernatorial administrations, the Board of Paroles investigated any requests for executive clemency, and then passed their recommendations on to the Executive Branch. For additional information, refer to series of Paroles in Governor Sanford's General Correspondence, 1961-1965.

On March 1, 1962, Governor Terry Sanford made a statewide television address on the subject of education entitled in which he invited the school children of the state to write to him. Several thousand letters were received in response. Most of the letters contain student responses to the televised address and expressions of future career aspirations. These letters were formerly placed in temporary binders by the Prison Department for exhibit purposes.

Records concerning the reunion of the 517th Parachute Combat Team (Battling Buzzards), which was held in Raleigh, North Carolina on August 14-16, 1964. Governor Terry Sanford was a former member of this unit, and was instrumental in bringing the reunion activities to Raleigh. In addition, members of the Governor's staff assisted in the planning and execution of the reunion. Includes correspondence, information about events, history of the 517th Parachute Combat Team, itineraries, newsletters and press releases, and committee files.