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The Miss America Organization archive includes everything from program books and photos to films, jeweled crowns, trophies, and oil paintings of winners. (Emma Lee/WHYY)
Students at Rowan University are going through a treasure chest of American history that includes jeweled crowns, velvet capes, and a cookbook. It’s 100 years of artifacts from the Miss America Organization.
Students are scanning pictures and other documents in addition to taking pictures of the crowns, trophies, and a Waterford scepter carried by winners for what will become the cornerstone of the new Rowan Digital Collections.
The crowns worn by Miss America winners have changed styles over the years. A large crown from one of the earliest pageants sits beside a smaller, more recent model. (Emma Lee/WHYY)