Archival Collections

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens in Jacksonville, Florida, has a distinguished history as a significant cultural resource of the region. The celebration of the Museum's 50th anniversary in 2011 marked its development into a major Florida cultural institution, with a collection of over 6,000 objects in a wide variety of media, and a strong community presence via exhibitions, outreach programs, and art initiatives for children. The Special Collections' holdings contain ephemera and printed materials which provide documentation of the Museum's exhibitions and programs from 1962 to date. Types of items include general museum and gallery guides, programming and exhibition guides, membership invitations and announcements, news items, and exhibition posters published by the Museum.

The primary source materials in this collection provide historical documentation and evidence of selective elections and political campaigns held in Duval County and Jacksonville, Florida. The earliest items are Duval County election records dated 1904; the majority of the materials date from the late twentieth century to the present decade. Printed materials include sample election ballots and guides, voting brochures and pamphlets, and a voting registration receipt card. Artifacts and memorabilia include political campaign buttons and stickers from Jacksonville mayoral, U.S. Senate, and Presidential campaigns.

The Eva Mae Atwood Papers consist of correspondence dated 1902-1969, memorabilia, photographs and negatives, postcards, a funeral memory book for Dr. Edward Leland Atwood, scrapbooks, and a publication entitled, "A Brief Guide to the Collections of the Art Institute of Chicago."

The Gladys Janette Folsom Harrington Scrapbook contains newspaper clippings, programs, correspondence, and other items related to her years as a student at Florida State College for Women.

The Grace I. Fox and Mary Jane Martin-Vegue Collection consists of a variety of materials relating to their involvement with Florida State University and their leadership in physical education in the state of Florida, as well as nationally.

The collection contains selective print newspapers, sections and clippings of The Florida Times-Union and the Jacksonville Journal which detail and document Northeast Florida history from 1890 to date. Anniversary and commemorative editions, and selective daily newspapers describe historical developments, the achievements of notable figures, and provide valuable insights into daily life in Northeast Florida. A preponderance of articles feature commentary and analysis on Jacksonville's growth and development through the twentieth century. The earliest newspapers are souvenir trade editions dated 1890; the vast majority of the selective papers date from the late twentieth century to the current decade.

The collection contains printed materials, ephemera, and memorabilia which show the operations and activities of JAXPORT from the late twentieth century to date. Items include announcements and correspondence, information sheets, event programs, promotional brochures and folders, official magazines, and commemorative posters. The bulk of the collection are printed materials. Artifacts in the collection include bumper stickers, buttons and pins, lanyards, and tickets. Overall, the materials provide visual and print documentation of the recent history of the Port, and a wealth of information, details and statistics for future researchers.

The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra (JSO) in Jacksonville, Florida, was founded in September 1949, and its sixty-three year history since reflects its development and current standing as a significant cultural resource. The collection provides historical documentation of the musical concerts and performances, and events and activities of the JSO from 1961 to date. The core of the collection are print ephemera, including event and performance programs, subscribers' cards and invitations, and publicity and news items. Of particular interest are source materials from the Grand Opening of the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts in 1997, and the Jacksonville Symphony Guild Designer Showhouses from 1977.

The items in the Janet MacGowan West Collection contain a scrapbook related to her years as a student at Florida State College for Women as well as miscellaneous items including correspondence, a luggage tag, and newspaper clippings.

The Kathryn McLeod Marsh Collection contains programs, handbooks, and other ephemera related to her years as a student at Florida State University.