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Home > Who We Are > Past News & Events : News Release Jun. 14, 2004

News Release Jun. 14, 2004

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Erik Moore, Immigration History Research Center, (612) 624-8353, moore144@umn.edu Joel Wurl, Immigration History Research Center, (612) 625-4800, wurlx001@umn.edu

COLLAGE Adds 1,000th Image With International Institute of San Francisco Photographs

The Immigration History Research Center proudly announces the addition of the 1,000th digital image to its Web resource COLLAGE (Collections Online: VisuaL MateriaLs of American ImmiGration and Ethnic History), an online searchable database of digitized items from the IHRC’s photograph, print, and manuscript collections. Participants in the Indochinese Resettlement Program Participants in the Indochinese Resettlement Program visit the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, 1979, International Institute of San Francisco Records.

The recent addition of nearly 200 images from the International Institute of San Francisco collection propelled the number of images available online to over 1,000. The records of the International Institute of San Francisco contain hundreds of photographs documenting nearly 80 years of social service to immigrant and refugee communities in the San Francisco area. The collection is a major resource for the study of 20th century Asian immigration to the United States.

The digital images available on COLLAGE depict ethnic community activities, theatrical productions, IISF staff and social service programs, social and holiday events, and clubs organized around the Institute. Ethnic groups represented in the photographs include Mexican/Latino, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Filipino as well as Greek, Russian, Serbian and many more.

The IISF's records have an extensive scrapbook and photo album component that made it possible to research and digitize these photographs. Included among the many staff pictures are images of Annie Clo Watson, Executive Director of the Institute (1932-1956), whose papers the IHRC holds. In addition, the photographs provide a unique look at the culture of service at the Institute.

Founded in 1965, the IHRC, a unit of the College of Liberal Arts located at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, is an international resource on American immigration and ethnic history. The IHRC collects, preserves, and makes available archival and published resources documenting immigration and ethnicity. The Center also produces a wide array of programs and publications aimed at fostering greater understanding of the immigrant experience.