Author: HistoryIT

Fraternity Modernizes Archival Experience with Interactive Digital Museum

PORTLAND, ME (August 11, 2021) — HistoryIT and Pi Kappa Alpha are excited to share the launch of the Fraternity’s digital museum. PIKE’s partnership with the innovative digital preservation company ensures that the organization’s history and legacy are accessible to members and alumni across the globe.

Since its founding in 1868, Pi Kappa Alpha has created a community dedicated to developing men of integrity, intellect, success and high moral character. Members, alumni and future-members can now easily discover the evolution and meaning of that lifelong fraternal experience through online exhibitions, images, documents, memorabilia and more.

“Preserving the history of our Fraternity and making it available is critically important to countless brothers around the world,” said Justin Buck, Executive Vice President of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. “Doing so will ensure that it is appropriately preserved and made accessible for generations of ΠΚΑ’s to enjoy both now and well into the future.”

The Fraternity’s digital museum is the culmination of years of dedicated work interviewing stakeholders, assessing collections, developing a digital strategy, and digitally preserving more than 40,000 items. With those records now secured in Odyssey, HistoryIT’s proprietary digital preservation software, they are easily accessible and searchable by anyone, anytime, anywhere. 

Pi Kappa Alpha is among the first men’s fraternal organizations to invest in digitally preserving, and thus safeguarding, their legacy for future generations. PIKE’s digital museum will continue to grow as HistoryIT’s team of specialists process and preserve the Fraternity’s historical collections. The collaborators are currently expanding the Digital Gold Star Memorial and exploring the preservation of PIKE’s chapter histories. 

“HistoryIT is proud to partner with Pi Kappa Alpha as they take steps to fully own their history. PIKE understands the important role that preserving and sharing their archival collections plays in the process. We are honored to assist them with building and growing their digital museum,” said Dr. Kristen Gwinn-Becker, Founder & CEO of HistoryIT.

Explore the stories of Prominent PIKES, search for chapter members, family, and friends or simply explore the vast collections of photographs and artifacts at pike.historyit.com.

About HistoryIT

HistoryIT gives history a future. We offer a comprehensive set of services and software that enable any organization to transform archival materials, from whatever state they are in, into a 21st Century digital collection.

Contact

HistoryIT Media
o. 207-699-4222
e. [email protected]

As Part of 150th Celebration, Alpha Phi Engages HistoryIT to Save Every Story

EVANSTON, IL (August 18, 2021) — Today, Alpha Phi launches Beta Gamma’s Digital Chapter Museum — their first of many as part of an initiative to preserve the entire history of the nearly 150-year-old women’s fraternity. Through a partnership with HistoryIT, the history of the Beta Gamma Chapter at the University of Colorado can now be searched and shared online by the general public. The interactive digital experience features archival images, recruitment videos, scrapbooks, and perhaps most notably chapter composites from the 1920s to today.   

As part of their 150th anniversary campaign, Alpha Phi engaged HistoryIT to digitally preserve the women’s fraternity’s archival collections. Their efforts resulted in a state-of-the-art digital museum that shares incredible stories of the women who made lifelong connections and memories through their membership. The national organization’s robust digital museum continues to grow as they prepare for their 150th celebration in October 2022. 

“Digital Chapter Museums like the one launched by our Beta Gamma chapter allow us the opportunity to celebrate what it means to be an Alpha Phi and the strength of our shared connection that links us across the miles and beyond a single generation,” said Renee Zainer, executive director of Alpha Phi International Fraternity. “Preserving our history is an important step in safeguarding our past so current and future members may access it, learn from it and find inspiration from it.”

Recognizing that 80% of fraternal history lives at the chapter level, Alpha Phi has set a goal to save every story. With the threat of deteriorating materials and unpredictable environmental conditions, the women’s fraternity is encouraging chapters to honor their 150th anniversary by working with HistoryIT to digitally preserve their stories for future generations. Alpha Phi is the first fraternal organization to take on the challenge of preserving their complete history. 

“It’s truly an honor to be a part of such a large historic preservation initiative,” said Dr. Kristen Gwinn-Becker, HistoryIT Founder & CEO. “HistoryIT is excited for the opportunity to digitally preserve Alpha Phi’s history in such a comprehensive way. By including their chapters, they are now at the forefront of organizations who are fully owning and sharing their history.”

Alpha Phi has 10 Digital Chapter Museums currently under development with Beta Mu at the University of Alabama’s site launching later this month and Beta Epsilon at the University of Arizona’s debuting in early September. Once live, all Digital Chapter Museums will connect seamlessly with Alpha Phi’s digital museum, ensuring the entire women’s fraternity’s history is preserved and easily accessible.

Explore Alpha Phi Beta Gamma’s Digital Chapter Museum and discover stories from decades of sisterhood.

About Alpha Phi

Alpha Phi International Fraternity is a loyal sisterhood of women courageously pursuing limitless excellence.  Founded at Syracuse University in 1872, Alpha Phi was one of the first Greek societies for women and was a founding member of the National Panhellenic Conference. The organization is comprised of 172 collegiate chapters and more than 135 alumnae chapters throughout the United States and Canada. The Alpha Phi Foundation is the fraternity’s philanthropic and educational partner, supporting women’s heart health and other charitable and educational projects.

About HistoryIT

HistoryIT gives history a future. We offer a comprehensive set of services and software that enable any organization to transform archival materials, from whatever state they are in, into a 21st Century digital collection.

Contact

HistoryIT Media
207-699-4222
[email protected]

First Online Exhibit Entitled “Ali and Neiman: A Friendship in Art” Launched Today in Recognition of What Would Have Been LeRoy Neiman’s 100th Birthday

Digital Archives Will Expand Global Reach of Ali Center’s Collection

In Partnership with HistoryIT and Made Possible Through IMLS Grant

LOUISVILLE, KY (June 8, 2021) — For the first time ever, the Muhammad Ali Center is able to open up its archival collection and offer online exhibits for the world to experience as a way to extend Muhammad Ali’s global reach. The launch of the Center’s new digital museum and archives was specifically planned to be introduced during the annual Ali Festival, and on what would have been the birthday of LeRoy Neiman, a longtime friend of Muhammad Ali’s. “Ali and Neiman: A Friendship in Art” is the Ali Center’s first ever digital museum exhibit which opened today. “Ali and Neiman” will highlight artwork created by both men and will also feature candid photographs and notes written by Mr. Neiman. It is linked to the Muhammad Ali archival collection, made available to the public, and is accessible through the Ali Center’s website, at muhammadali.historyit.com. While the digitization of the Ali Center’s archival items is an ongoing process, this new offering will roll out initially with items from its: Permanent Collection, Greatest of All Time Collection, and Oral History Archive. Eventually, the digital archives will include items from other collections.

The digital museum and archives was launched in partnership with HistoryIT, which was responsible for creating the website and for the migration of some of the items, and was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences through a $50,000 grant.

“Because Muhammad meant so much to so many people around the world, it has been our dream to make available items in our collection to online audiences everywhere,” said Laura Douglas, President and CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center. “Having HistoryIT as a partner in helping us achieve this goal will create an accessible, searchable, and meaningful experience for anyone interested in knowing more intimate details about Muhammad’s life and legacy. Because LeRoy Neiman was part of Muhammad’s legacy for decades, we are delighted to honor both of these greats through our first ever online exhibit. Our thanks go out to HistoryIT and the IMLS for their support, and the LeRoy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation for donating the majority of the artwork to the Center.”

Artist LeRoy Neiman is known for his brilliantly colored, expressionist paintings and screen prints of athletes, musicians, and sporting events, including official posters for the Kentucky Derby, Ryder Cup, and the Ali Center’s grand opening. LeRoy and Muhammad met in 1962 while Ali was preparing for a match against Billy Daniels in Harlem, New York. The fight took place in Neiman’s neighborhood, so he quickly found his way into the press section, and eventually into Ali’s dressing room. This chance meeting in Harlem sparked a friendship that continued through the entirety of the two men’ lives. Ali and Neiman remained friends until LeRoy’s passing in 2012.

Kristen Gwinn-Becker, Founder and CEO of HistoryIT, said, “We are thrilled to partner with the Muhammad Ali Center and support their new digital museum on our Odyssey platform. Our mission is to save history. Digitally preserving and sharing Ali’s legacy ensures that his life, achievements and core principles reach an even broader audience. Perhaps most importantly, the Ali Center’s effort to digitally preserve their collections secures these lessons for future generations.”

Credit for Photo: Photo on Loan to the Muhammad Ali Center Courtesy of the LeRoy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation.

About the Muhammad Ali Center

The Muhammad Ali Center, a 501(c)3 corporation, was cofounded by Muhammad Ali and his wife Lonnie in their hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. The international cultural center promotes the Six Core Principles of Muhammad Ali (Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Giving, Respect, and Spirituality) in ways that inspire personal and global greatness and provides programming and events around the focus areas of education, racial and gender equity, and global citizenship. The Ali Center is formally associated with the United Nations Department of Global Communications, and in 2020, became one of the newest stops on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. The Center’s headquarters also contains an award-winning museum experience. For more information, please visit www.alicenter.org.

About HistoryIT

HistoryIT gives history a future. We offer a comprehensive set of services and software that transform archival materials, from whatever state they are in, into a 21st Century digital collection. Odyssey, our proprietary digital preservation software, enables any organization to not only manage their archival and collections assets, but also make their history easily accessible via a best-in-class digital museum. For more information, please visit historyit.com.

About IMLS

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. Our vision is a nation where museums and libraries work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About the Ali Festival

The Ali Festival, a community-wide celebration that marks the anniversary of Muhammad Ali’s passing and celebrates his legacy and love for Louisville, occurs annually in Ali’s hometown of Louisville. Presented by the Muhammad Ali Center, and in collaboration with community partners, the Ali Festival features events and activities that highlight different facets of Muhammad’s life in ways that unite and inspire the Louisville community and beyond. Ali passed away on June 3, 2016. The 2021 Ali Festival runs from June 3-13.

Contact

Jeanie Kahnke
Muhammad Ali Center
(502) 992.5301 or (502) 640.6077
[email protected]

Tori Collins
Muhammad Ali Center
(502) 992.5338 or (502) 645.5929
[email protected]

HistoryIT Media
207-699-4222
[email protected]