The archives for "Mad Men" have been donated to the University of Texas. It includes scripts, props, costumes as well as research papers from the show.
The Associated Press reported that show creator Matthew Weiner and Lionsgate, the company that produced the show, have donated the "Mad Men" archive to the University of Texas' Harry Ransom Center humanities library. The show has been praised for its detailed presentation of life in America during the 1960s.
Weiner admitted that he decided to donate the archive since he did not want the scripts, props, and costumes, among others, to be auctioned off or worse, to be lost forever. He said that it would have been sad to let the intensive record of mid-century America go to waste.
The show creator was inspired to donate the archives to the Ransom Center when he visited its "Gone with the Wind" exhibit. The "Mad Men" archives are a collection of everything that the show used during its run from 2007 to 2015.
There are boxes of research material that revealed the depth of how the show writers wanted to create an authentic feel. Each character, home and office design had a specific model from period fashion and style.
According to Rolling Stone, Weiner's notes about details on production battles have also been donated. One of which is his efforts to play a Beatles song on the show, arguing that it would not have felt real until a song from the band is there.
Variety noted that students, faculty and visitors will be given the chance to explore the script drafts, notes, props, costumes, digital records as well as videos related to the series. Steve Wilson, the Ransom Center's curator of film said that described "Mad Men" as a "groundbreaking program" which is known for its high quality writing, acting and design.
Wilson also said that the archives will allow students and scholars to get new insights on the decisions behind the scenes that shaped the series. It will also provide a greater understanding of how motion pictures evolved.
