XII. New Jersey Historical Commission, 1960, 1966-1985

Summary: The first subseries consists of correspondence and other communications between such figures as Bernard Bush (former Executive Director of the Commission), John T. Cunningham (future Chairman of the Commission), Governors Richard Hughes, William T. Cahill, and Thomas H. Kean, among others. The general material and correspondence concerns the establishment, organization, and running of the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division within the New Jersey Department of State that was created "by law in 1967 to advance public knowledge of the history of New Jersey." McCormick was a key player in the development and growth of the New Jersey Historical Commission and remained involved with the state-funded historical agency until he resigned from the Board in 1985.

The "Subject Files" folders consist of material from McCormick's various roles within the Commission—former Chairman and general member of the Commission, Chairman and member of the Committee on Scholarly Programs, Higher Education and Libraries—including minutes and agendas, budgets, correspondence, annual reports, and newsletters. Of particular interest is the material on the American Revolution Bicentennial, which contains correspondence between McCormick and John T. Cunningham, Bernard Bush, Governor Richard Hughes and others regarding the Commission's designation as the official agency to plan for the Bicentennial celebration in New Jersey. The documents contain certain members'—including Cunningham's—suggestions in 1972 for the need for another agency to run the Bicentennial event due to a lack of staffing and funding and because the members wanted the Commission to be more concerned with New Jersey historical activities. The above concerns led to the formation of the New Jersey American Revolution Bicentennial Celebration Commission, which had State financing.