Senator Edward Kennedy Capitol Hill Telephone Log - First Day Back After Chappaquiddick Incident

On July 19th, 1969, Senator Edward Kennedy drove his car off a narrow bridge and his car tumbled into a tidal pond, resulted in the death of his passenger, 28-year-old Mary Joe Kopechne. 

There was substantial controversy regarding the Senator's actions, including allegations of intoxication, failure to try to save Ms. Kopechne, and leaving the scene of an accident.   On July 25, 1969, Senator Kennedy pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident and received a suspended sentence. 

Many observers believed that this incident and the rumors surrounding the Senator's alleged wrongful actions contributed to the Senator's decision not to run for President in 1972.

The call logs being offered are for the period of July 22 to July 28, 1969 and includes messages from people such as Senators Muskie, Inouye, Hollings, Mondale, Bayh, Packwood, Percy and countless other acquaintances of Senator Kennedy.  Most of the messages were offers of sympathy or offers of help. 

The call logs come with a Letter of Provenance dated 10/19/19 from the Estate of Rosalie Helm.  Rosalie Helm was a personal assistant to both the Senator and Joan Kennedy in the 1960's and 1970's.