Digital Archive of the Howell Carnegie Library Archives

Pat Dowen

Patricia (Pat) Dowen was selected the first Melon Queen of the Howell Melon Festival in 1960. Dowen was a medical student at the University of Michigan, graduating as a medical orthoptrist ₁. As Melon Queen, Dowen presented Michigan's 41st Governor, G. Mennen Williams, with a Howell Honey Sweet Melon at the first Howell Melon Festival in 1960. Dowen also accompanied a delegation to the White House to present President Eisenhower with melons. While Dowen did not meet the president, she did have breakfast at the White House, and was introduced to the Secretary to the Interior and the Postmaster General ₂.

For more information on the Howell Melon Festival, please see our Melon Festival Over the Years digital exhibit.

Howell celebrates its first melon festival. (1960, September 7). Livingston County Press.
Florida Honeymoon. (1964, May 13). Livingston County Press.

Pat Dowen onstage with unidentified attendants.

Left to Right: Postmaster General Arthur Ellsworth Summerfield, Melon Queen Pat Dowen, and Michigan Representive Charles Chamberlain.

Left to Right: Duane Zemper, Melon Queen Pat Dowen, Michigan Representive Charles Chamberlain, Queen's aide & sister Joy Slayton, and Mayor Clifton Heller.