The H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports is a nonprofit that receives the funding to preserve and provide access to archival materials in the fields of physical culture and sports through the generosity of private donors. This being said, there are so many wonderful collections that are inventoried but not completely processed. While we are mighty in spirit, enthusiasm, and dedication, there is only so much our little band can accomplish. In an effort to share these amazing pieces of history, we photograph and upload artifacts into our online catalog system so that we can use them in blogs, visual exhibits, academic papers, and in several other ways to bring exposure until they are processed by our archivist, Caroline Jones, when she completes finding aids for them.
I was making my way through the archives recently, opening boxes at random like I was the Grinch checking out the Christmas presents in the houses he’d stolen into, peeking in to see what treasures were hiding inside. To my wonder and delight, I found the Jack H. Hughes Collection. Mr. Hughes graciously donated 84 Powerlifting and Weightlifting posters. These posters spanned many years of national and international competitions and the artwork on nearly all of them is visually stunning.
Jack Hughes passed away at 96 years old in Los Angeles, California in 2017 and had an impact on many powerlifters and weightlifters. Not only was he a weightlifting champion in his own right, but he was a well-respected referee as well in national and international competitions, and even in his own back yard in Venice Beach. We are so grateful to have his collection and making these items accessible to students and researchers who study the world of physical culture.
2018 Strength and Power Hall of Famer, Artie Drechsler, said of him,
“Jack [Hughes] was one of the greatest referees in the history of weightlifting and powerlifting (he was national champion in weightlifting, and a national masters record holder in powerlifting as well – so he didn’t just judge it, he did it). His contribution to officiating on a national and international level was immense, both in its scope and length. He will live on in the work and memories of so many to whom he taught the values of integrity, dedication, and competence. I am fortunate to count myself among his pupils.”
Thank you, Mr. Hughes, for your impact on the sport of weightlifting and powerlifting and for your donation of these wonderful posters to help preserve the history of the sport you so loved.
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