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Welcome to the Woodrow Wilson High School Supported by the Humanities Council of Washington, D.C., the Wilson PTSO, and the Wilson Alumni Association Digital Archives Project Slide 2 Our Digital Archives Project preserves materials from our schools beginning in 1935. Slide 3 Whats in our Digital Archives? Articles and photos from The Beacon student newspaper, which dates back to 1935 Pages from school scrapbooks, including photos, newspaper clippings, and event programs Yearbooks Class photos And much more... Slide 4 The Digital Archives Projects Goals To preserve our archives, including many items that are fragile, such as the original Beacon student newspapers. To scan, digitize, and organize the materials for easy access. To make the archives accessible to students, teachers, the public, and cultural organizations. Slide 5 A History of the Wilson Digital Archives Project As Wilson High School packs for renovation, librarian and Wilson alumna Pamela Gardner finds two cabinets filled with old scrapbooks, pictures, and newspapers collected by Wilson librarians over the years. She also rescues the librarys collection of yearbooks, bound Beacon student newspapers, photos, and class pictures. STOP! Dont throw that away. One day we will properly archive it. Slide 6 History (continued) While organizing the library storage room in the new building, Lena Frumin, Wilson parent and then-library assistant, asks Ms. Gardner about the many boxes labeled Alumni. If only I had the time and resources to build a proper archive... Ill post to our listserv and find parents who will help. Slide 7 History (continued) Ill find out who might give grants for this project and write the proposal. I have great memories of my years at Wilson Ill join the committee. And so the Digital Archives Project Committee is formed, comprised of current and former Wilson parents and Wilson alumni, each of whom brings specific and useful expertise to the project. Helping Wilson preserve its history is something Id love to be involved in. I can helpI work in the archiving field. Slide 8 Digital Archives Project Committee Members John Libby, Wilson Class of 1976 Pamela Lipscomb-Gardner, Project Director Wilson Class of 1973 Mary White Giffin, Wilson Class of 1973 Arlene Balkansky, Humanities Scholar Tina Kaneen Elizabeth Levenson Lena Frumin Slide 9 The Digital Archives Project Website Slide 10 The Digital Archives Project uses a museum-grade software program called PastPerfect, which is designed to store archives, catalog them, and make them accessible. Slide 11 Sample Titles from Our Two Pilot Collections Wilson Girls Athletics Girls Swim Club Boasts 125 Members Washington Herald article in 1938 scrapbook Wilson girls earn Red Cross swim certificates. Girls Sports Range from Basketball to Field Hockey 1969 yearbook Girls sports in 1969: intramurals, gym classes, and interscholastic tournaments. City Volleyball Champions Again The Beacon, December 1986 Girls volleyball team has 9-1 season and wins the interhigh championship. Neighs of Steeds Lure Equestrians The Beacon, February 1965 Wilson girls who train and show horses as an extracurricular activity. Coed Gymnastics Team 1951 yearbook Photo of boy and girl gymnasts. Girls Jumping Rope in P.E. 1937 scrapbook Photo of girls in gym uniforms. Slide 12 Wilson girls athletics in 1938...... and 2003. Slide 13 Wilson in Wartime Jeepers! Weve Bought a Jeep! The Beacon, March 5, 1942 Fund drive for WWII. Stop the WarOut Now 1972 yearbook Vietnam War protest. Iran Crisis Hits Wilson The Beacon, April 1980 Two Wilson students, children of Iranian diplomats, expelled from the U.S. after Iran seizes the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. Help Uncle Sam, Girls The Beacon, December 9, 1942 Editorial urging girls to get involved. War Is Not the Answer The Beacon, October 1, 2001 Editorial responding to 9/11. Talking It Over: Student Views on H-Bomb Testing 1956 Scrapbook Teen column in local newspaper presents views of Wilson seniors. Slide 14 How Wilson students reacted to war in 1941...... and 1972. Slide 15 The Humanities Council of Washington, D.C., and in particular Mark Smith, Director of Grants and Special Projects The D.C. Community Heritage Project, a partnership between the Humanities Council and the D.C. Historic Preservation Office The Woodrow Wilson Alumni Association The Woodrow Wilson Parent Teacher Student Organization Alexandra Stryker, Wilson teacher, for the use of the scanner Acknowledgements We would like to thank the organizations and individuals that helped make the Digital Archives Project possible: Slide 16 Interested in helping with the Wilson Digital Archives Project? We need... Volunteers to help with scanning, cataloging, and seeking follow-up grant money to support the full archiving of the collection. Grant writing or financial support to cover items such as the annual software and support fees or specialized scanning for delicate and large-format items. Contact Lena Frumin, Wilsons Communications Director, at lena.frumin@dc.gov