Save Miss America Archives!
The Miss America Organization and Rowan University are reaching out to fans and supporters to help as the monumental task of digitizing and preserving the historic archive of the competition’s 100-year history begins. From 1920s photographs to 1950s program books, 1980s scepter to 1960s records, 1930s candidate questionnaires to 1940s vintage film footage, the archive is a treasure trove of artifacts relating to New Jersey history, thousands of women all over the United States, and American culture.
Through a multi-year partnership with the Miss America Organization, Rowan University students are sifting through the organization’s expansive archives and digitizing the artifacts. Their work, currently underway in the Digital Scholarship Center at Campbell Library, will be the cornerstone of the new Rowan Digital Collections. Scholars worldwide eventually will have access to the artifacts through the archive, hosted by Rowan Libraries. The project will be a crucial resource to scholars and students, notes College of Humanities & Social Sciences Dean Nawal Ammar. “The Miss America competition has been an enduring feature of American culture, producing idealized images of female beauty and achievement,” says Ammar. “However, it also has been a space to challenge those images, both inside and outside the competition hall. This collection will be an invaluable source for the study of American history, culture, women’s history, business history, media studies, and many other topics.”For nearly 100 years, women and volunteers from across the country have given their time, energy, and talents to bettering themselves and the communities around them. Building on their service and higher education, Miss America women advance into careers ranging from elected officials and high profile lawyers to nationally recognized journalists and budding entrepreneurs. As this time-honored organization approaches its 100th anniversary, we are committed to continue helping women gain the skills and scholarships necessary to achieve their goals.
Project manager Katie Turner, a professor of history and American Studies, says Rowan students working on the digitization will gain first-hand experience of the archival process. “This is a great opportunity for our students to get their hands on history and to really see what goes into making a collection,” adds Turner. “Everything today is digitized for students. They often don’t get to see and touch historical documents. When you sift through paper and do research in an archive, there’s a real commitment to the work.” Digitizing the artifacts preserves them for future fans to reminisce, and allows scholars of American history, pop culture, women’s history, business history, film and television, and others to access the collection to better understand the outsized role of Miss America in 20th century America. The collection will be housed at Rowan University, a nationally ranked research university embedded in the history of New Jersey. By liking, following, and contributing to this campaign, you are helping to demonstrate Miss America’s importance in American culture and history. Help us ensure that these precious artifacts are protected and preserved!To continue providing these valuable opportunities, we need your help.
If you believe in the purpose of the Miss America Organization, will you make a personal commitment to support its future?
The women who benefit from our program sincerely appreciate your support, and we all look forward to an exciting road to our 100th anniversary!
With gratitude,
The Miss America Organization
As a 501(c)4 nonprofit under IRS regulations all donations are not tax-deductible.
