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Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Guide to the Mille Gade Corson Collection
Summary
- Collection ID:
- NMAH.AC.0063
- Creators:
-
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Community LifeStoyanoff, EstherCorson, Mille Gade , 1898- (swimmer)
- Dates:
-
1920-1930.
- Languages:
-
Some materials inDanish.
- Physical Description:
-
0.5 Cubic feet2 boxes
- Repository:
Collection document the life of Mille Gade Corson, a noted swimmer.
Scope and Contents note
Scope and Contents note
Three scrapbooks and two albums containing photographs of Corson; news clippings about the swim; a Certificate of Life Membership in the Danish American Athletic Club; a certificate from the American Red Cross; sheet music; a tribute to her which contains a picture of her and her children; programs with images of her; advertisements; and a Navy chart showing her route and time. Vaudeville appearances, product endorsements, and civic honors are depicted in photographs and playbills.
Arrangement
Arrangement
Arranged into two series
Series 1: Photographs, undated
Series 2: Scrapbooks, circa 1926
Biographical/Historical note
Biographical/Historical note
Mille Gade was born in Denmark into the Gade family of noted musicians. At 16 she was awarded the Royal Life Saving Medal (only five in the world at that time) by the king. She also received recognition and a cash award from the Carnegie Foundation for her life-saving feats. She emigrated to the United States in 1919. In 1921 she became the second woman to swim around Manhattan Island and in the same year swam frm Albany to New York City. On Sept. 21, 1921 she married Clemington Corson. Her first English Channel attempt was in August 1923, when she was forced to abondon the effort within two miles of the French coast. On Aug. 27 and 28, 1926, she swam the English Channel (France to England) in 15-3/4 hours, the first mother and only the second woman to conquer the Channel.
Administration
Author
NMAH Staff
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Collection donated by Esther Stoyanoff, October 25, 1981.
Processing Information
Collection processed by NMAH Staff, undated
Custodial History
Mrs. Corson gave this material to her friend, Esther Stoyanoff, who donated it to the Division of Community Life (now Division of Cultural and Community Life) in 1981. The collection subsequently was transferred to the Archives Center in 1983.
Digital Content
See all digital content in NMAH.AC.0063Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Preferred Citation
Mille Gade Corson Collection, 1920-1930, Archives Center, National Museum of American History. Gift of Esther Stoyanoff.
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Related Archival Materials
Related Archival Materials
Artifacts from this accession located in Community Life collections (now Division of Cultural and Community Life).
Keywords
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-3270
Fax Number: Fax: 202-786-2453
archivescenter@si.edu
