Our Work
The Center for the History of Microbiology Archives (CHOMA) preserves historic materials related to the development of the microbiological sciences, as well as the history of ASM. The collections serve to inspire and inform generations of microbiologists and the public by providing the historical context of microbes and microbiology within all aspects of the human experience.
- Over 9,000 books on microbiology and related topics, including the Collected Letters of Antoni van Leeuwenhoek.
- Primary research by noted scientists including On the Antibacterial Action of Cutures of a Penicillium by Alexander Fleming.
- Extensive photography collection featuring significant individuals, locations and achievements in microbiology.
...and so much more!
- Anne Sayre Collection of Rosalind Franklin Materials: Anne Sayre was an American author who is known for writing a biography of her friend, Rosalind Franklin, one of the discoverers of the structure of DNA. The ASM Archives are home to Sayre's research materials, including taped and transcribed interviews with Franklin herself.
- Biological Warfare Collection: This collection focuses on the research and development of biological weapons programs in the U.S. and is home to materials that are not available anywhere outside of the CHOMA Archives.
- Miscellaneous Manuscript Collections: Featuring a wide variety of publications, manuscripts and correspondence, this collection focuses on the historical happenings during the first half of the 20th century and showcases renowned microbiologists, including Paul deKruif, Elizabeth Genung, Pearl Kendrick, Hubert Lechevalier and Otto Rahn.
- Historic Documents Collection: Containing materials dating back to the 17th century, including many Philosophical Transactions, this collection features the minutes recorded by Thomas Jefferson for the founding of the medical school at the University of Virginia just a few months before his death on July 4, 1826. It established a public clinic providing medical advice, smallpox vaccines and surgery to all people.
Rita Colwell is distinguished university professor at the University of Maryland at College Park and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and past ASM President. Her research focuses on global infectious diseases, including cholera, and she is the recipient of ASM's 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award. Browse CHOMA's collection of materials related to Colwell's professional activities.
H. Orin Halvorson was a noted bacteriologist in his time, ending his career as Director of the School of Life Sciences at the University of Illinois in 1965. He served as President of ASM, as well as many other capacities over the years. His research focused on chemical and sanitary engineering, immunology, virology and bacterial physiology. Halvorson's tenure as president was during a pivotal moment in ASM’s history, and he was instrumental in the founding of ASM's Subcommittee on Minority Education (SME) and the Subcommittee on the Status of Women in Microbiology (SSWiM).
L. Joe Berry was Chairman of the Department of Microbiology at the University of Texas at Austin and served ASM throughout his long career, most notably as editor of the Journal of Bacteriology and as a member of the council policy committee for over 20 years. His research focused primarily on the metabolic aspects of host response to infectious agents and the role of the reticuloendothelial system in response to infectious diseases, but perhaps an even greater legacy is the generations of students whom he encouraged and inspired. His papers are particularly useful for those looking at the history of ASM in the middle of the 20th century.
Get Involved
History in the Making
- ASM Members are invited to upload documents for our Biographical Files Collection. Accepted materials include:
- Curricula vitae.
- Published articles/reprints by an ASM member.
- Articles published about an ASM member.
- Obituaries.
- Images/head shots.
- Other material related to career or advancement of the science.
Call to Donate Papers
Do you have materials that you think might be useful or of interest? Let us know what you have—it might be a valuable addition to our collection!
CHOMA by the Numbers
89
Years since ASM established its archives.
39
Years that CHOMA has been in operation.
Over 3,000
Members, staff, journalists, media, authors and students served.
The ASM Archives
The ASM Archives comprises a unique historical collection dedicated to preserving the history of the American Society for Microbiology.
