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Michigan College of Mining and Technology Winter Carnival Photograph Collection

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: MTU-181

Collection Scope and Content Summary

Photograph collection, circa 1960-circa 1969, of Winter Carnival at the Michigan College of Mining and Technology (now Michigan Technological University) in Houghton, Michigan. Features elaborate snow sculptures made by student organizations, university housing groups, and off-campus associations. Images also feature buildings no longer standing, including Hubbell Hall.

Dates

  • Circa 1960-Circa 1969

Access

This collection is currently unavailable for researchers due to preservation issues. See University Archivist for details.

Biography

Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan often registers more than 200 inches of snow in a season. Not content to let this abundant natural resource go to waste, students band together in an annual celebration of the beautiful, tough, exhilarating, and character-building climate. Winter Carnival began in 1922, with a one-day Ice Carnival. It was so popular that students made it an annual event, and Winter Carnival as it is known today began to take shape. It was suspended in 1930, in the aftermath of the stock market crash, but in 1934, Blue Key Honor Fraternity resurrected the event. Then, 1936 brought the biggest change, one that would become Carnival's best known tradition: snow statues. Since then, the statues have become famous for their size, detail, and design as building methods (and secrets) have been passed from year to year. During World War II, Winter Carnival was again suspended. It took off again in 1946, when the Stage Revue was added, with fraternities, sororities, and other campus organizations presenting skits for the enjoyment of the crowd and the performers alike.

Extent

0.05 Cubic Feet (1 manuscript box )

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Photograph collection, circa 1960-circa 1969, of Winter Carnival at the Michigan College of Mining and Technology (now Michigan Technological University) in Houghton, Michigan. Features elaborate snow sculptures made by student organizations, university housing groups, and off-campus associations. Images also feature buildings no longer standing, including Hubbell Hall.

General Physical Description note

0.09 cubic feet1/4 manuscript box

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS

This collection is currently unavailable for researchers due to preservation issues. See University Archivist for details.

Processing History

Crystal Laudeman,5/4/2010

Title
Michigan College of Mining and Technology Winter Carnival Photograph Collection
Author
Finding aid prepared by Crystal Laudeman
Date
5/4/2010
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Description is in English

Repository Details

Part of the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections Repository

Contact:
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton 49931 U.S.A. US