Mary Elizabeth Whitney collection

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.