Albert Gore Research Center

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.

02/13/2026

Happy Valentine’s Day! We hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow, whether you’re spending it in the company of a special someone, with your loved ones, or in content solitude! The pictured lovebirds and Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18 share a two-page spread in the 1977 MTSU Midlander.

02/12/2026

Yesterday, the Gore Center staff spent the day at the Tennessee State Capitol sharing our work preserving Tennessee history.

02/09/2026

MTSU instructor Dr. John Lodl with the Rutherford County Archives will present a lecture on "African American Churches in Rutherford County" from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, at the Historical Research Center at the archives, 435 Rice St. in Murfreesboro. No registration is required. This event is free and open to the public. To attend virtually, email [email protected] for the Zoom link.

02/08/2026

While we at the Gore Center do not have a favorite team in today's Superbowl, we do have a favorite Superbowl commercial. This one is from Superbowl XLII (2008). Enjoy!

Coca-Cola: Jinx

01/23/2026

A lot of the South will be hit by a historic winter storm. Therefore, MTSU has determined that, for the safety of faculty, staff, and students, we will work remotely on Monday. Since the situation has been constantly changing, for the most up-to-date information on when the university will reopen, please consult the university's page at https://www.mtsu.edu/alertupdates/ . If you get a chance to enjoy the snow, please be safe!

This photograph is from the Rhea and Ryan Family Papers - 2019.025.104. The photo is of a mountain range in France, taken between 1943-1945.

01/13/2026

The staff at the Albert Gore Research Center mourns the passing of MTSU First Lady Elizabeth McPhee.

12/19/2025

Happy Holidays everyone! This is Senator Gore’s schedule for December 15, 1965. As you can see, he was able to have a slight reprieve from the busy schedule of a U.S. senator and enjoy some holiday festivities.

The Albert Gore Research Center will be closed on Tuesday December 23rd and will reopen Monday January 5th.

12/03/2025

Our archivist Andrew McMahan recently appeared on WGNS Radio to discuss our exhibit on the end of World War II, "When the Cannons of War No Longer Roared." If you missed it, you can listen to a podcast version of the program here: https://www.wgnsradio.com/article/96224/from-handel-to-healing-wgns-spotlights-mtsus-art-archives-and-trauma-writing
Andrew's segment starts at 21:49.

Middle Tennessee State University representatives recently appeared on WGNS Radio to discuss an upcoming special musical event, a special World War II exhibit on display, and a student-created free…

12/03/2025

You may wish to bury your head in a tuba like this Band of Blue member, but that won’t stop the arrival of Finals Week. We wish MTSU students good luck and clear (but not empty) heads as they tackle their final exams, essays, and projects! The Gore Center will be open and ready to assist any last-minute research requests during tomorrow's Study Day.

This photo is from the Horace Beasley Papers. Beasley served as a band director at MTSU from 1957 to his retirement in 1974. His papers are valuable to anyone wanting to learn more about the history of the Contest of Champions and the Band of Blue!