For Members
Welcome to the Center for the History of Microbiology/ASM Archives
Center for the History of Microbiology/ASM Archives (CHOMA)
- Just Announced - University of Connecticut Storrs - Site of H W Conn Research Laboratory - Designated as an ASM Milestones in Microbiology Site
- History of Microbiology Research Travel Awards - Call for Applications
- Upcoming Meetings and Events Related to the History of Microbiology
- The American Society for Microbiology Bibliography of Microbiology-related Publications (Books and Pamphlets) in America: 1721 to 1915
- Milestones in Microbiology
- Biographies in Microbe Magazine (formerly ASM News)
- Reference Documents
- The Most Significant Events in Microbiology 1861-1999
- Biographical Notes on the Society of American Bacteriologists Charter Members
- Chronicles of the Society of American Bacteriologists 1899-1950
- Activities Sponsored by CHOMA at the asm2013 General Meeting
- Lectures and Symposia Sponsored by the Center for the History of Microbiology/ASM Archives
- Book Collection
- Finding Aids to Papers of Prominent ASM Members
- Finding Aids to History of Microbiology Collections
- Records of the Society (ASM)
- Wistreich Photo Collection
- Interviews and Oral History
- ASM Branch Information Available in the Archives
Links to Other History of Science Websites: - The Foundations of Medical and Veterinary Virology
- The History of Vaccines
Programs and Resources:
Collections:
Albin O. Kuhn Library and Gallery, University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC),
Home of the Center for the History of Microbiology/ASM Archives
Image courtesy of Tom Beck
In 1935 the Society of American Bacteriologists (now ASM) established a Committee on Archives, whose charge was to acquire and maintain the records of the Society, and to collect materials relating to the history of microbiology. These materials remained in the possession of the committee chair (Barnett Cohen, 1935-1952; Leland S. McClung, 1952-1982) until an agreement was struck with the University of Maryland Baltimore County to house the ASM Archives. The Book Collection was transferred to UMBC in 1978, and the remainder of the materials arrived in 1982.
The establishment of a Center for the History of Microbiology was proposed and supported by Leland McClung and Donald Shay. The idea behind the Center was based on existing centers for the history of chemistry and physics. After two years of planning, the Center for the History of Microbiology was established at a ceremony at UMBC on 4 June 1985 (ASM NEWS Vol. 51 No. 8 1985.)
ASM's Center for the History of Microbiology and Archives Collections include records of the Society from its founding in 1899 to the present, including journals and proceedings of meetings; 9,000 volumes on microbiology and related topics; photographs of scientists and microbes; topical files on various aspects of microbiology, including biographical materials; instructional materials, including slides and motion pictures; and several collections of personal papers. For further information, or to make an appointment to visit the Archives, please contact the Archivist:
Contact Info:
Jeff Karr
410-455-3601
- Past Archivists and Committee Chairs: For a List of Past Archivists and Committee Chairs, click here.
- CHOMA Committee: For current Center for the History of Microbiology/ASM Archives (CHOMA) Committee list, click here.
- Microbe: For links to Microbe articles referencing Center for the History of Microbiology/ASM Archives projects, click here: CHOMA in Microbe magazine