Max MacLevy rented the property from James L. Ewell and moved to the old 65 acre Babylon Westminster Kennel Club estate around 1915. MacLevy was well-known for his vaudeville boxing exhibitions and gymnasium in Brooklyn. In addition, “Professor” MacLevy was a health mentor to Teddy Roosevelt. As a physical cultist, MacLevy turned Westminster’s once-glorious clubhouse...
The origins of Swedish Massage are credited to a Swedish physiologist named Per Henrik Ling, who lived from 1776-1839, and was a highly respected master fencer and gymnast. He believed that the therapeutic massage technique that consisted of gliding strokes and gentle touch promoted relaxation and well-being by encouraging circulation in the body and softening...
Dennis Tinerino was a prominent bodybuilder in the 1960s and 1970s. He won the Mr. Universe title four times in 1968, 1975, 1980 and 1981 and Mr. World in 1971 in the tall man’s category, and Mr. America in 1978. He was an inductee of the National Fitness Hall of Fame, IFBB Hall of Fame and National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. These are...
This scrapbook was compiled by Leona Kellum and includes events and people from the 1920s during her time as a student at the University of Texas at Austin. Leona Kellum married George A. Harris in 1927. George Harris was a track athlete at UT who earned his letter in 1924-’25 and 1930. Harris also assisted...
On June 23, 1972, President Richard Nixon signed Title IX into law, prohibiting sex-based discrimination in educational programs receiving federal funding. Title IX had a significant impact on women’s sports by increasing participation opportunities, promoting equal treatment, and expanding scholarship opportunities. In 1973, University of Texas President Stephen Spurr formed a subcommittee titled the Council...
Strength & Beauty are a series of booklets published by Rosslyn News out of Studio City, California. These booklets showcase Strongwomen who not only have strength but are beautiful. These Strongwomen come from a variety of athletic backgrounds and are shown in different poses. Here is one example from the series: Strength & Beauty No....
In December 1953, the Journal of the American Association for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation published an article, “Muscular Fitness and Health,” coauthored by Dr. Hans Kraus and Bonnie Prudden that sounded an alarm about the poor state of youth fitness in America. Within two years, another article by Dr. Kraus and Bonnie Prudden (under the name...
Bob Hoffman was an American entrepreneur who rose to prominence after buying the Milo Barbell Company in 1935 and selling his oil burner business and founding the York Barbell Company in 1938. He founded magazines such as Muscular Development and Strength & Health, and was the manufacturer of a line of bodybuilding supplements. Hoffman promoted bodybuilders like John Grimek and...
George F. Jowett was one of the first to offer strength correspondence courses to people at a time when there really were relatively few gymnasiums. He was born December 23, 1891 in England and lived there until 1911 when he immigrated to Canada. In 1923 he moved to Pittsburgh and then Scranton, Pennsylvania where he...
