The Middletown Public Library is excited to announce that it has received a $2000 grant from the Rhode Island Genealogical Society to kickstart the digitization of the Middletown High School yearbook collection!
This generous grant will enable the creation of a searchable database, making these treasured historical documents accessible to the public for the first time. The project will begin by digitizing the first decade of yearbooks, starting when Middletown High School opened in 1961. However, we can only digitize around ten yearbooks with this initial funding, so we’re eagerly seeking additional donations to help us cover more years and complete the collection.
Currently, we are missing yearbooks for the following graduation years: 1961-1964, 1971, 1974-1976, 1978-1980, 1992, 1996-1999, 2001, 2012, and 2020-present. If you have any of these yearbooks, please consider donating them to the library to help us fill in the gaps!
“Digitizing our high school yearbooks is a thrilling step in preserving our local history,” said AnnaLivia Rayne, Supervising Librarian for Adult Services, who applied for the grant. “With Middletown’s diverse community and the presence of the naval base, many graduates move away, so it’s essential to provide their descendants access to these records.”
These yearbooks are invaluable for genealogists tracing family lineages, researchers studying local history, and anyone interested in the evolution of our educational institutions. By digitizing these records, we will protect them from further degradation and ensure they are preserved for future generations.
Once digitized, the yearbooks will be available for free on the Middletown Public Library’s website, offering easy access to anyone interested in exploring these historical documents.
We need your help to continue this exciting project! If you would like to contribute, either financially or by donating missing yearbooks, please contact the library. Every bit of support brings us closer to preserving our community’s rich history.
For additional information on this project or to make a donation, please contact the Middletown Public Library at 401-846-1573, visit our website at middletownpubliclibraryri.org, or email us at staff@middletownlibraryri.org. Thank you to the Rhode Island Genealogical Society for this grant opportunity!
Source: Middletown Public Library