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Maude Frank Collection

Maude Frank, who lived on Long Island, became interested in the field of physical culture because of her conversion to vegetarianism.

The book Smoke Over America, by Jesse Mercer Gehman, and three anti-smoking posters by Gehman, from the Jesse Mercer Gehman Collection.

Jesse Mercer Gehman Collection

Dr. Gehman worked as an editor for Bernarr Macfadden in the 1920s, wrote one of the earliest books warning of the dangers of cigarette smoke (Smoke Over America) in the 1930s, and served as president of both the American Vegetarian Union and the American Naturopathic Society.  He was a discerning collector of early naturopathic and...

IronMan physical culture magazines, first founded by publisher Peary Rader, waiting to be processed.

Sydell Herbst and Christopher Gian-Cursio Collection

Christopher Gian-Cursio was a naturopathic doctor, nutritionist, author, editor, and researcher. The collection reflects Gian-Cursio’s professional career as a practicing Natural Hygienist and his extensive research into the development and pioneers of the health movement in America, especially James Jackson’s “Our Home on the Hillside” Hygienic Institute in Dansville, N.Y. Also included in the collection...

Bodybuilder David P. Willoughby's Arm Art Drawing, including an arm and a dumbbell, from the David P. Willoughby Collection.

David Willoughby Collection

Willoughby was a weightlifting historian, artist, and anthropometrist. He authored a number of books, including The Super Athletes; helped form the ACWLA; and wrote hundreds of articles on physical culture.  He began weightlifting as a teenager, winning an A.A.U. National Championship in 1924.  Along with George Jowett and Ottley Coulter, he formed the American Continental Weight...

Roy J. McLean Collection

McLean was a University of Texas professor who also served as U.T.’s wrestling, weightlifting, and cross-country coach.

Physical culture items, including books and a plaster cast of a hand, in a display case, in the Reading Room; a statue and photograph of former Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry are in the background.

Charles Yesalis Collection

Dr. Charles Yesalis has studied the role of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) and other performance enhancing drugs (PED) in sports and society for over twenty-five years.   He is considered a leading expert in the field and is often called upon to testify and explain the affects of AAS and PEDs on athletes.   This collection also includes...

A horseshoe, two Indian clubs, a Milo Adjustable Barbell and an American Continental Weight-Lifters Association (ACWLA) trophy.

Robert (Bob) Hoffman and Alda Ketterman Collection

Robert Collins Hoffman, who was 6′ 3″ by the age of thirteen, developed an early interest in athletics. He initially became involved in long-distance running and in water sports, competing in marathons and rowing championships. Hoffman first became interested in weightlifting in 1923 and formed the York Oil Burner Athletic Club, a team made up...

Wrestler and strongman George F. Jowett pressing a barbell overhead with one hand, from the scrapbooks in the George F. Jowett Collection.

George Jowett Collection

Jowett was a strongman, promoter, author, and magazine editor whose career spanned the period 1910-1960. With David Willoughby and Ottley Coulter, he helped found the ACWLA, and also helped Bob Hoffman start Strength & Health magazine. He later aided Joe Weider during Weider’s early days as a magazine publisher. The contents of the Jowett Collection include scrapbooks,...

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