The Farr Legacy Collection in CSUMB's Library archive

By BZ Zuniga

California is home to two presidential libraries and museums for those interested in the history of our political institutions and the people who play a part in them. But if you want a more regionally relevant dose of U.S. history, visit the Farr Legacy Collection at CSUMB’s Tanimura & Antle Family Memorial Library archives. 

Sam Farr retired from Congress in 2016 and today can look back upon his storied political life with pride. And so can we.

He was a congressman who represented the Central Coast region for many years and was instrumental in establishing CSUMB. 

In the 1960s, Farr worked in Colombia with the Peace Corps. He recognized similarities between the struggles of agricultural workers there and those who reside in the Salinas Valley. He learned that education could offer opportunities to people with otherwise limited options. When the Base Closure Commission decided to end Fort Ord’s operation as a military base, he and others saw a chance to provide better educational opportunities for people in Salinas Valley, Monterey County, and beyond. 

The Farr Legacy Collection consists of over 200 boxes of photos, documents, and videos from Sam Farr’s political career. Materials from his father, State Senator Fred Farr, are also in the collection. 

"We are so fortunate to have the Farr Legacy Collection in our archives,” said Jacqueline Grallo, the library’s interim dean. “We hope that engaging with the collection will help our students understand the impact of Fred and Sam Farr's work, and inspire them to consider how they, too, can make a difference."

Many of the materials can be viewed in person, but are also online at the Farr Legacy Collection and include campaign photographs and broadcasts, materials related to CSUMB’s founding, scrapbooks, letters, awards, and Farr’s personal photos. 

Students, academics, journalists, historians, and people who are just interested in learning more about Farr’s life and accomplishments can access the collection in person by emailing Robin Guthrie, archives specialist, or the archives directly and requesting an appointment between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m, Monday through Friday.