What have you found in Swem’s Special Collections archives? Tell us for a chance to win great prizes and a spot in a national competition!
Share the story of your quest for information in our “I Found it in the Archives!” contest. If you found something special in our archival collections – records, documents, photos, recordings, artifacts or other treasures – we want to hear about it! Your entry should tell the story of your discovery, show the results of your search and describe the personal value your findings have to you.
Submit your story as a written essay or video. Entries must be submitted via email (spcoll@wm.edu) or delivered on a downloadable device by 12 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 4.
A panel of judges will select finalists from among all entries, and the winner will be determined by online voting by the public.
All Swem finalists will receive a "Swemorabilia" prize package. The winner, announced at the end of February, will receive a personal behind-the-scenes tour of Swem Library's Special Collections, a $100 Amazon gift card and a "Swemorabilia" prize package. Best of all, Swem’s winner will advance to a national competition, with the national winner honored at the Society of American Archivists/Council of State Archivists Annual Meeting in New Orleans in Aug. 2013!
The contest is open to the general public including W&M students, faculty, staff and alumni. Current Swem Library staff is not eligible to participate.
Full contest guidelines, rules and official entry form