Manuscripts Collection | Springfield College

Manuscripts Collection

Manuscript Collections

Archives and Special Collections houses several important manuscript collections including the records of selected individuals and organizations with ties to Springfield College. If you are interested in donating historical materials, please consult the page about donating organizational records and personal papers.
 

Blaikie, William
William Blaikie Papers (Finding Aid)

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Blaikie (1843-1904) was a lawyer, athlete, and promoter of physical training in New York City. He wroteHow to Get Strong and How to Stay So(1879), which was popular in the United States and Europe at the turn of the century, and a manual entitledSound Bodies for Our Boys and Girls(1883). This collection consists of 4 cartons of newspaper clippings, correspondence, and a few photographs relating primarily to Blaikie’s interest in sports (especially rowing) and physical training as well as his legal practice in New York. 5 cartons.

Crampton, C. Ward
C Ward Crampton Papers (
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This collection focuses on the professional career of Charles Ward Crampton (1877-1964). Crampton was a physician, medical researcher, and teacher during the early 20th century. His major contributions to the medical field include work with geriatrics and gerontology, adolescent hygiene and physical fitness, posture, and blood pressure and circulatory systems. Crampton also contributed to the Boy Scouts of America as a column writer for Boys’ Life magazine. Crampton served as chairman for many committees within the medical community and even founded an association himself. He became a strong advocate for preventative medicine and the maintenance of a personal medical record by individuals. The breadth of this collection encompasses his publications within the field in many of the different subject areas listed above. One can encounter hand written notes and papers, typed and printed manuscripts, correspondence, memorabilia through newspaper clippings describing his accomplishments, and photographs for his own research purposes. Highlights of this collection feature original photographs of Lou Gehrig used for a Boys’ Life article as well as evidence of Crampton’s involvement with the Byrd Antarctic Expeditions of 1928.

Dozier, Eugenie L.
Eugenie L. Dozier Papers


A professor of physical education at Springfield College, Dozier was a leader in dance education. She also taught at Ted Shawn’s University of Dance at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. The collection is comprised of four cartons of files relating to Dozier’s teaching career. 4 cartons. Although this collection has not yet been processed, a box list is available.

Ellis, Olga
MS 522 Olga Ellis Spring Term Project, 1966 (
Finding Aid)

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A graduate of Smith College, Olga Ellis joined the Springfield College staff in 1946 as Assistant to the Deans. She was quickly promoted to Acting Registrar of Springfield College on August 1, 1947. A position that was soon made permanent and held until she retired. In 1958 she was promoted to the rank of professor at the position of Registrar. She also was the President of the New England Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers. She retired from Springfield College on March 18th, 1966. This collection contains reports and documents written and gathered by Olga E. Ellis, the registrar of Springfield College from 1946-1966, pertaining to students and classes at Springfield College. She gathered and produced these materials for what she termed as her “Spring Term Project,” completed before her retirement in 1966. Included within are reports, pamphlets, correspondence, grade cards, syllabuses, newspaper articles, schedules and commencement brochures. In addition to many reports on enrollment, students, and programs, there are materials on special programs including, the Peace Corps program in Venezuela, University of the Seven Seas, special aviation classes held on the Campus of Springfield College during World War II, Jacob’s Pillow and Ted Shawn, and YMCA International School of Physical Education, Geneva, Switzerland.

Friermood, Harold T.
MS 516 Harold T. Friermood Papers (
Finding Aid)

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Dr. Harold T. Friermood was born in La Junta, Colorado on September 14, 1902 and died in South Hadley, Massachusetts on March 2, 1999. He is best known for his involvement with the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) and his contributions to physical education (specifically volleyball and swimming). Dr. Friermood is sometimes referred to as the “Grandfather of Volleyball” for his involvement and support of the sport. He was elected to the Volleyball Hall of Fame in 1986 and the YMCA Hall of Fame in 1988. Nearly all of this collection is comprised of documents relating to Dr. Friermood’s New York University doctoral dissertation, titled “Health Clubs in the YMCA with respect to current status and development of operating standards.” The documents include large charts with the raw data, multiple dissertation drafts, floor plans and brochures from numerous Young Men’s Christian Associations, surveys, and letters. The remaining materials—mostly magazine essays and pamphlets—primarily focus on African American and Jewish membership in the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA).

Gulick, Luther Halsey
Luther Halsey Gulick Papers (
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This collection documents the work of Luther Halsey Gulick (1865-1918) who was a pioneer and national leader in health and physical education in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. From 1887 to 1900 Gulick helped establish and supervise the Physical Department at the International YMCA Training School (now Springfield College). Gulick moved to New York City in 1900, where he worked at the Pratt Institute High School and Russell Sage Foundation. Gulick and his wife Charlotte later founded the Camp Fire Girls. There are reports, correspondence, and essays related to the Camp Fire Girls within the collection. Much of the material in the collection covers Gulick’s professional career in New York City, especially the 1900-1912 period. There are four scrapbooks of newspaper clippings and other materials by and about Gulick dating from those years. Additionally, there is a scrapbook about Dio Lewis, a fellow physical educator, that Gulick created, and there are two bound volumes of outgoing correspondence from the Triangle Publishing Company, which Gulick helped establish at Springfield College in the early 1890s. A large portion of the collection comprises lectures and articles, both published and unpublished, that Gulick wrote between 1897 and 1912. These writings concern a broad spectrum of topics, including physical education, play, hygiene and health, gender roles, camping, folk dancing, and amateur athletics. Also included are correspondence—both incoming and outgoing—as well as minutes, notes, and other records of several of the national organizations in which Gulick was a leader, including the American Academy of Physical Education, the Athletic League of YMCAs of North America, and the Amateur Athletic Union.

Karpovich, Peter V.
Peter V. Karpovich Papers (
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This collection documents the life and career of one of the most influential exercise physiologists. Trained as a medical doctor in Russia, Karpovich was a professor at Springfield College for more than forty years and a founder and president of the American College of Sports Medicine. Included are 12 cartons of biographical material, correspondence, subject files, scientific equipment, and photographs of Karpovich and his research experiments.

Lyles, Joseph F.
Joseph F. Lyles Papers (
Finding Aid)

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Note: all documents in the collection except the pages from “Around the World with the Harlem Globetrotters” by David Zinkoff and "Foreign Newspapers from around the world" have been digitized.

The Joseph (Joe) F. Lyles Papers collection contains materials and information from events during the life of Joseph F. Lyles, including his involvement with the 1952 Harlem Globetrotters World Tour. Joseph Lyles was born on Oct. 28, 1929. He died on November 13, 2012 at the age of 83. Joe coached and taught at Washington and Lee University for 50 years. He was also a minor league baseball player and professional basketball player who toured with the Harlem Globetrotters on their 1952 World Tour. In 1958, Joe earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Springfield College and a Master’s Degree in 1959. The majority of the collection consists of materials from the 1952 Harlem Globetrotters World Tour, including a photo album with pictures of the Globetrotters and the New York Celtics, places visited, and people met.

Marks, Joseph E
Joseph E. Marks. III Dance Collection


Comprised of books as well as manuscripts, photographs, and scrapbooks, this collection documents the history of dance. Particularly important are documents relating to Ted Shawn, an accomplished dancer and choreographer, and early records of Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Shawn’s dance studio in the Berkshires. Marks was a Springfield College alumnus (MS, 1951) and dancer with Ted Shawn, who taught dance at the College in the spring of 1933.

McKenzie, R. Tait
MS 508 R. Tait McKenzie Papers (
Finding Aid)

Robert Tait McKenzie (1867-1938)—physician, educator, and sculptor—was a childhood friend of James Naismith and a longtime colleague of both Naismith and Luther Halsey Gulick. This collection focuses chiefly on McKenzie’s artwork and professional life, and it contains manuscripts (by Hussey, Leys, and Wolffe) and articles about McKenzie, exhibition catalogs, and images of his sculptures. In addition to this, the collection contains a letter from McKenzie to Dr. James Huff McCurdy and a manuscript by McKenzie about his childhood friend and longtime colleague James Naismith entitled “Reminiscences of James Naismith.” The numerous images in the collection include photographs of McKenzie himself, as well as images of his artwork.

Morgan, William G.
MS512 William G. Morgan Papers (
Finding Aid)

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This collection documents some of the early life and achievements of William G. Morgan (1870-1942), who graduated from the International YMCA Training School, now Springfield College, in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1894, and who created the game of volleyball at the Holyoke YMCA in Holyoke, Massachusetts in 1895. The materials within this collection relate primarily to Morgan’s connections to Springfield College and Western Massachusetts and to his creation of volleyball. Items within the collection include photographs, Morgan’s original application to the International YMCA Training School, articles about Morgan and early volleyball, correspondence with Morgan’s daughter, a video entitled “The William G. Morgan Story,” and a certificate of appreciation presented to Morgan by the United States Volley Ball Association.

Naismith, James
MS 506 James Naismith Papers (
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The materials in this collection relate primarily to the professional life of James Naismith. Naismith was born in Almonte, Ontario, Canada in 1861. He graduated from McGill University with an A.B. in 1887 and Presbyterian College in Montreal with a religion degree in 1890. From 1890-91, Naismith was both a student and an instructor at the YMCA Training School (now Springfield College), and he continued as an instructor at the International YMCA Training School until 1895. During Naismith’s second year at Springfield (winter 1891), he invented the game of basketball. Naismith continued his education with a medical degree from the University of Colorado and finally settled at the University of Kansas as a professor and coach. Naismith retired in 1937 and died in 1939.

The collection includes photographs, the official records from Naismith’s time at the YMCA Training School, now Springfield College, two manuscripts about Naismith (one by his daughter-in-law and one by his friend R. Tait McKenzie, the sculptor), a manuscript by Naismith himself entitled “The Origin of Basketball,” Naismith’s correspondence with Springfield College’s Alumni Association (primarily George O. Draper), and a letter he wrote about basketball in 1898 to T.J. Browne. The rest of the collection contains materials about Naismith, including several articles, information about the establishment of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, letters from Forrest C. Allen and Paul Endacott, a nomination for the “Hall of Fame of Great Americans” at NYU, and numerous scrapbook pages filled with newspaper articles, photographs, etc.

O’Brien, Lawrence
Lawrence O'Brien NBA Papers (
Finding Aid)

This collection documents O’Brien’s (1917-1990) career as Commissioner of the National Basketball Association from 1975 to 1984. 27 boxes. Related collections: Larry O’Brien political papers at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library and the White House Congressional Liaison Office Files at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

Prudden, Bonnie
Bonnie Prudden Papers 1979-1985


This collection comprises records of the Bonnie Prudden School in Stockbridge, Mass., 1979-1985. Formats include photographic prints, three photo albums, scrapbook, newspaper clippings, videotapes, and books by Prudden. Bonnie Prudden was a pioneer female physical fitness teacher through workshops, books, and various schools she has founded. 5 cartons.

Regina, Alberto Papers
MS 513 Alberto Regina Papers (
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Alberto Regina will always be remembered in South America as one of the most influential figures in the world of physical education. Having been a teacher and mentor for approximately 1,200,000 people, his influence and knowledge has affected generations. In the United States, Regina is portrayed as the Naismith figure for basketball in Argentina. Alberto Regina lived from 1900-1948; working approximately 35 of these years within the Argentinian Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). Regina came to Springfield College in 1930 on a scholarship to study in the YMCA graduate program. Regina held many esteemed positions within South America including: The Acting Director of Physical Education for the Chilean Associations of Basketball and Volleyball, the Director of the Department of Physical Education for the YMCA in Buenos Aires, and the Technical Advisor (trainer) to the Argentine Federation of Sports. He also coached the national Argentine water polo team in the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam. The tragic and sudden death of Regina came in 1948, while Regina was only 47 years old. This collection portrays evidence of his influence by documenting his work within the YMCA through manuscript journals, newspaper clippings, scrapbook and photo albums, various awards and medals, as well as dedications and memorials in honor of his life and accomplishments.

Robinson, Edgar M. Papers
MS 505 Edgar M. Robinson Papers (
Finding Aid)

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This collection focuses on the professional life of Edgar Munroe Robinson (1867-1951). A 1901 graduate of Springfield College, Robinson was active in the establishment and development of the Boy Scouts of America, the Young Men's Christian Association, and the High School YMCA (HI-Y) during the early twentieth cnetury. In 1910 he became the first professional director of the Boy Scouts of America. Robinson also served as the Honorary Director of Boys Work Courses and the Advisor in Methods and Principles in Work with Boys at Springfield College from 1927-1937. The materials within this collection pertain largely to Robinson's work with and research of these organizations and institutions. Contents include Robinson's research notes and manuscripts, pamphlets, YMCA questionnaire responses, blueprints and sketches--many by Ernest Thompson Seton--of the Pueblo of the Seven Fires at Springfield College's East Campus, information about Native American artist Wo Peen (Louis Gonzales), planning notes and records for Springfield College's Freshman Camp, photographs, newspaper articles, and correspondence with Robert Baden-Powell, Ernest T. Seton, Daniel C. Beard, Charles B. Horton, and Gordon L. Foster. 4 boxes.

Seton, Ernest Thompson
MS512 Ernest Thompson Seton Manuscripts (
Finding Aid)

This collection contains a single manuscript by illustrator, naturalist, and author Ernest Thompson Seton (1860-1946) entitled “History of Woodcraft and its Offshoot, the Boy Scouts (Original Notes).” The manuscript focuses on Seton’s role in the establishment of the Scouting Movement, and it includes texts by Seton, copies of excerpts from letters and conversations that Seton had with men like Robert Baden-Powell, James E. West, and Edgar M. Robinson, and some actual correspondence with West and Robinson. The Seton and Robinson families were friends, colleagues, and correspondents, and Seton provided Robinson—who helped develope Springfield College’s Freshman Camp in 1930—with illustrations and blue prints for Pukwana Lodge and the Pueblo of the Seven Fires at Springfield College’s East Campus.

Shawn, Ted
MS520 Ted Shawn Papers  (
Finding Aid)

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Ted Shawn was born Edwin Myers Shawn on October 21, 1891 in Kansas City, Missouri. After a battle with Diphtheria at the age of 19, he took up dance as a form of Physical Therapy. In 1914 he met Ruth St. Denis, married her, and together they started the Denishawn Dance Company and School. Many of today’s modern dancers can trace their roots to this company. Shawn and St. Denis separated and dissolved the Denishawn Company in 1930. That very same year, Shawn purchased a farm in the Berkshires called Jacob’s Pillow. Eventually this farm becomes the site for Schools of Dance and for the Jacob’s Pillow Dance festival (incorporated in 1942). From 1932 to 1933 Ted Shawn taught at Springfield College, then known as the International YMCA College. Through experiments conducted in his teaching, Ted Shawn formed the Ted Shawn and His Men Dancers dance company. This was the first all-male dance company in the United States. They toured throughout the United States, Canada, and England before disbanding in 1940. The Ted Shawn Papers collection contains materials and information on the life of Ted Shawn, Ted Shawn and His Men Dancers, Jacob’s Pillow and the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festivals, various Dance Schools created by Ted Shawn and Jacob’s Pillow (including the University of the Dance created in conjunction with Springfield College), and the connection between Ted Shawn and Springfield. Materials include newspaper and magazine articles; photographs of Ted Shawn and of dancers at Jacob’s Pillow; brochures and programs from various shows, festivals, and schools; promotional materials such as flyers and special bulletins; labanotation and sheet music from various dances created and choreographed by Ted Shawn; letters and writings by Ted Shawn; and Correspondence between Springfield College, Ted Shawn, and Jacob’s Pillow.

Slicer, Art and Madeline: Turnvereine Stein Collection
MS519 - Art and Madeline Slicer Turnvereine Stein Collection (
Finding Aid)

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Art and Madeline Turnvereine Stein Exhibit

The Art and Madeline Slicer Turnvereine Stein collection consists of 132 items, 106 of which are German beer steins and other drinking vessels; the remaining 26 items are memorabilia. The collection was donated to Springfield College Archives in March 2015 by Art and Madeline Slicer, classes of 1959 and 1958, respectively. All items were created by, or have the underlying theme of, the German sporting organizations called Turnvereine, known in the United States as the Turners. Made of pottery, stoneware, ceramic, pewter, and glass, the steins and memorabilia depict sporting activities such as gymnastics, running, lifting, and other track-and-field events. Begun by Friedrich Ludwig Jahn in 1811 in Berlin, these social clubs were designed to promote physical fitness and foster a sense of national pride. Members of these clubs also competed in festivals (Turnfests), commemorated through many of the steins in this collection, including from Turnfests held in Frankfurt, Leipzig, Münich, and Nüremberg. The historical period represented by the items in this collection ranges from the mid-nineteenth century through 1942, with the bulk of the materials dating between 1880 and 1934.

Springfield Massachusetts YMCA Papers
MS523 - Springfield Massachusetts YMCA Papers (
Finding Aid)

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The Springfield Massachusetts YMCA was one of the first YMCAs to be established in North America after Montreal and Boston. The first meeting was held on May 3rd, 1852 at the Old First Church on Court Square. Soon disbanded for lack of support, it was not until the cities third attempt in the early 1880s, with the creation of three separate branches; a Railroad YMCA, the Armory Hill YMCA, and a Central/Downtown Springfield Branch, that the Springfield YMCA was here to stay. The Railroad YMCA branch, established in June 1882, was the first Railroad YMCA to open in New England. The Armory Hill YMCA Branch, established November 21, 1882, rented rooms in the School for Christian Workers, now Springfield College, where Dr. James Naismith created the game of Basketball in 1891. The current central or main branch of the YMCA of Greater Springfield Association is located on 275 Chestnut Street. Within the collection are materials that are about or are created by the Springfield Massachusetts YMCA. The bulk of these materials come from the early period of its history (1885-1920). Materials include manuscripts written on the history of the Springfield YMCA; pamphlets containing constitutions and by-laws, annual reports, and promotional materials for events, activities, and clubs; newspapers published by branches between 1876 and 1900, including the YMCA Monthly Advocate, Advocate, the Magnet, the Springfield Young Men, Association Notes, and the Monthly Bulletin. Of particular note are the scrapbook pages that exist throughout the collection, including the two full scrapbooks for the Central branch containing materials from 1885 to 1972.

Springfield Massachusetts Y's Men's Club Papers
MS526 - Springfield Massachusetts Y's Men's Club Papers (
Finding Aid)

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The first Y’s Men’s Club was founded by Judge Paul William Alexander in Toledo, Ohio in 1922. It was designed to support the Toledo YMCA. Since the YMCA was usually known as "the Y", and it was designed as a club of "men of and for the Y", it was named the "Y's Men's Club". The Y’s Men’s Club in Springfield Massachusetts was a service club for those who were interested in the ideals of the YMCA. It met during the mid-twentieth century, stressed world fellowship, and allowed Springfield residents to meet with students overseas attending American International College and Springfield College. The Springfield Massachusetts Y’s Men’s Club papers contain information that was gathered or created by the Springfield Massachusetts Y’s Men’s Club. The majority of the documents in the collection are contained in the Springfield Mass. Y’s Men’s Club Scrapbook (ca. 1937 to 1951). Included are lists of members, newspaper articles about events, pamphlets and advertisements, photographs of members and activities, newsletters, placemats, and correspondence, including letters from China, Japan, Norway, Egypt, as well as other countries. Of particular import is the letter written by Fred Hoshiyama about his experiences in the Japanese “Concentration Camps” in the United States during World War II.

Stagg, Amos Alonzo
MS 507 Amos Alonzo Stagg Papers (
Finding Aid)

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Amos Alonzo Stagg, known as the “Grand Old Man of Football,” was born on August 16, 1862 in West Orange, New Jersey. In 1890, Stagg became a faculty member at the International YMCA Training School, now Springfield College, where he stayed until 1892. During his time in Springfield, Stagg formed and managed the school’s first football team, was a captain of the baseball team, and even played in the school’s earliest basketball game. The materials within this collection relate primarily to Stagg’s connections with Springfield College, including Stagg’s official records, his correspondence with various members of the Alumni Association and the College, correspondence to Stagg from other football teams in 1891, and materials related to the dinner held at Springfield College in honor of Stagg’s 100th birthday. The birthday celebration materials include memos, committee minutes, programs, photographs, a short video, and correspondence. Additionally, the collection contains numerous newspaper articles and other articles in football programs and journals.

Steitz, Edward S.
Edward S. Steitz Papers


Steitz (1920-1990), a faculty member from 1948 to 1990, was a leading authority on amateur basketball rules. This collection comprises material relating to basketball rules (such as the three point shot) including films, audio cassette tapes, documents, and Olympics rule booklets. 7 cartons.

Vendien, C. Lynn
C. Lynn Vendien Papers


Vendien was a professor of physical education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a leader in international and comparative physical education. In addition to her professional files, the collection includes several boxes of slides she used in lectures and talks as well as books on physical education, sport, and recreation. 28 cartons.

Weckwerth, Charles F.
Charles F. Weckwerth Papers


Weckwerth (1908-2002), a faculty member from 1931 to 1975, was a leader in the field of recreation and adaptive physical education. 84 cartons. Although this collection has not yet been processed, a box list is available.

Welser, Lyle
MS 521 The Lyle Welser Dance Class Papers (
Finding Aid)

The Lyle Welser Dance Class Papers contain materials believed to have been created for a dance class that Ted Shawn created and taught as a professor at the International YMCA Training School (now Springfield College) during the 1932-1933 school year. Lyle Welser was a student at Springfield College during this period, graduating in 1933, and took this class. Ted Shawn, often regarded as one of the fathers of modern dance, developed his famous Men Dancers troop using Springfield College students, including fellow student Wilbur McCormick (class of 1934). Lyle Welser was one of 7 Springfield College students who danced at the Repertory Theatre in Boston performances held during the week of March 20, 1933. These were some of the first performances where Shawn presented His Men Dancers. A copy of the program signed by Ted Shawn is within the collection. Also in the collection are a couple of newspaper articles on Ted Shawn and, making up the bulk of the collection, materials, including handwritten notes, syllabus, and sheet music/dance directions, from the dance class that Ted Shawn taught at Springfield College in 1932-1933 school year.

Western Massachusetts Chapter of the American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA)
MS 515 The Western Massachusetts Chapter of the American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA) Scrapbooks (
Finding Aid)

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The Western Massachusetts Chapter of the American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA) Scrapbook collection consists of four scrapbooks containing materials on the chapter dating from 1961 through 1993. ANTA is a national organization chartered in 1935 by a special Act of the United States Congress. Regional chapters, such as the Western Massachusetts Chapter, functioned as independent community theatre groups. The Western Massachusetts Chapter was founded in 1960 by Arthur T. Andrewes and received its charter in June 1961. The chapter’s residency at Springfield College began in 1964 and ended in 1990 when the chapter finally ended. The scrapbooks are essentially chronological, containing playbills, a few photographs, announcements, flyers, and newspaper articles containing reviews and schedules of productions and stories about particular artists and the Western Massachusetts Chapter of ANTA in general. Also included are a few letters, including the letter ending ANTA’s association with Springfield College in 1990, magazine articles, and lists of community award winners.

Whiting, Richard: 1965 Football Team Papers
MS 518 - Richard Whiting: 1965 Football Team Papers (
Finding Aid)

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The 1965 Football Team collection contains materials and information collected by Dr. Richard A. Whiting (Dick), ’66, G’68 concerning the 1965 Springfield College Football team. The Springfield College 1965 Football team went undefeated and remains the only Springfield College Football team to have an undefeated, untied season since 1893 when the season ended with a 2-0 record. Dick Whiting was a senior offensive tackle on the 1965 team. Dick graduated from Springfield College in May, 1966 and returned to the college for his MS degree, which he earned in 1968. In 1970, Dick became the Director of the Counseling Center at Springfield College, and continued working at the College for over 40 years, retiring in 2011. Materials in the collection include photographs of the 1965-66 football team members, co-captains, and coaches; rosters & schedules; newspaper articles; team and individual honors and awards; cumulative statistics for the season; and reunion information and football programs (Amherst, Northeastern, and Wagner). A video narrated and created by Dick Whiting is also included. The video, created originally for the 2000 football reunion and converted to DVD format for the 2005 football reunion, was arranged based upon the contents of the collection. In addition, the collection contains a scrapbook assembled by Dick Whiting’s mother, Josephine, that includes numerous newspaper articles about the team’s success, as well as other information and materials about Springfield College created during his time as a student here.

Williams, George
MS 509 George Williams Papers (
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Sir George Williams (1821-1905) founded the Young Men’s Christian Association in London in 1844. The movement spread rapidly, and fifty years later—in order to celebrate the organization’s Golden Jubilee—the directors of the International YMCA Training School, now Springfield College, in Springfield, Massachusetts invited Williams to address their graduating class of 1894. Because he was unable to attend the event in person, Williams wrote out and recorded an address to send to the School. The materials within this collection relate primarily to this address and the original wax cylinder it was recorded on. The collection contains the wax cylinder, its original shipping box, a transcript of the address hand-written and signed by Williams, an accompanying letter by YMCA Secretary W.H. Mills, the transcript of an hand-written address also by Williams, an article about the Jubilee celebration at Springfield, and later letters about the recording. There are also several subsequent re-recordings of the address (records, reel-to-reel tape, cassettes, CDs, etc.) and some lantern slides and photographs of and relating to Williams.

Wolcott, Frank
MS 514 Frank Wolcott Papers (
Finding Aid)

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In 1955, Frank A. Wolcott, Class of 1952, began working at Springfield College as a physical education professor and varsity gymnastics coach. Coaching the men's varsity gymnastics team through the 1980-81 season, he ended his career at Springfield College as the Assistant Director of Athletics in 1996. Gymnastics innovator, including the use of the parachute in exhibition performances, and educator, this collection primarily contains materials relating to his coaching of the gymnastics, in particular the men’s team and exhibition teams at Springfield College. Included within are photographs, schedules, newspaper articles, rosters, scores, and equipment. The photographs show students competing, practicing, enjoying exhibition trips, forming Tableaux, and performing during competitions and exhibition performances, including Springfield College’s Home Show. The Tableaux series has documents that describe the specific Tableaux poses, two folders of “inspiration” materials, and index cards with narration for the Home Show. This collection also includes championship information (e.g. scores, photographs, pamphlets, schedules) from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Division for Girls' and Women's Sports (DGWS), and Eastern Intercollegiate Gymnastics League (EIGL). While coaching at Springfield College, Frank Wolcott co-founded the New England Gymnastics Clinic and there are some materials relating to this organization, including letters, pamphlets, schedules, and budgetary notes.

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