Mary Elizabeth Whitney collection

Collection – Multiple Containers

Identifier: MS-0289

Staff Only

Collection Overview

Abstract

Correspondence, an interview, news clippings and articles, dance programs, photographs and books documenting Mary Elizabeth Whitney's life as a dancer, scholar and instructor of dance at Bowling Green State University from 1952-1974.

Dates

Creation: 1911-1982

Extent

0.37 Cubic Feet (1 letter size archive box)

1 Volumes (1 oversize portfolio)

Creator

Whitney, Mary Elizabeth (Person)

Scope and Contents

The Mary Elizabeth Whitney Collection contains a few pieces of correspondence, the most significant of which were sent upon her death by friends and colleagues who admired her talent and passion for dance and recorded their recollections of her contributions to its study. Another significant resource in the collection is the transcript of an interview given by her recalling her attendance at many dance workshops (in this particular instance – Bennington) where she learned new techniques, danced and became friends with some of the major proponents of modern dance in the United States. This experience in turn prompted her to incorporate important innovations into her dance classes at BGSU.

Photographs of her students at Vassar College are an important visual resource to the study of her career as are portraits of her from various times throughout her life. Miscellaneous theater and dance programs are included along with some general clippings and articles relevant to dance. Several books of significance to the history and teaching of dance are also housed in the collection.

Biographical / Historical

Mary Elizabeth Whitney (know as Eli to her friends) of Port Sanilac, Michigan, received her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Michigan in 1931. A year later she earned her master’s degree in education from New York University. Before coming to BGSU in 1952 to join the Health, Physical Education, and Recreation faculty, she taught at Utah State University, Kearney State College, Ohio University, Vassar College, and Arizona State College. In her classroom she drew upon her training in modern dance methods of Doris Humphrey, Martha Graham, and Hanya Holm, among others.

Whitney retired from teaching dance at BGSU in 1974 and died in 1981. In 1995 the university named a second-floor dance studio in Eppler North in her honor.

Conditions Governing Access

No known access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers using this collection assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, and are responsible for securing permissions necessary for publication or reproduction.