SHAPE America Archives

The SHAPE America Archives is comprised of manuscript collections, records of the Alliance and its organizational predecessors, personal papers, and a special collection of figurines, photographs, and sports guidebooks. It has journals, books, gym uniforms, scrapbooks, convention materials, dance instructions, and much more.

Mabel Lee, Renowned Leader
Of particular interest to the historian is the Mabel Lee collection. Mabel Lee (1886-1985) was an internationally known leader in physical education, an author of many books and articles, and the first woman elected president of the Alliance. She is among the most influential people who have advocated for girls and women in sports. Her papers cover the years of 1899 to 1977.

Personal Papers
Other manuscript collections of the Archives include papers of several prominent members of the physical education community, including Katherine Ley, Carl Troester, Bruce Bennett, Grover Mueller, Hester Carter, Blanche Trilling, Harold Friermood, Clifford Netherton, Jean March, and others.

Association Histories
Each association of SHAPE America has historical documents as part of the collection. These include information for the American Association for Physical Activity and Fitness (AAPAR) and its precedessors, the American Association for Health Education (AAHE), the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport (NAGWS), the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) and the National Dance Association (NDA). The Archives also includes historical information on the Alliance itself, as well as back issues of various publications produced by individual associations.

Publications
The American Physical Education Review covers 1896 to 1929. The publication then became the Journal of Health and Physical Education (and later adding Recreation and Dance), which covers from 1930 to the present. School Health Review covers from 1969 to 1978 when it became the American Journal for Health Education, which remains in publication. The Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport starts from 1930, and Strategies: A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators starts from 1987. Both continue to be published. The Archives also houses copies of many other publications produced by the Alliance and its affiliated associations.

There's More
This provides only an introduction to the Archives. For specific inquiries or for more information, contact the national headquarters at 703-476-3400 or [email protected].