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University of Michigan department responsible for administering and teaching required curriculum in physical education for women and overseeing recreational sports for women. Records include annual reports, minutes of staff meetings, scrapbooks, topical files, history of physical education for women at the University, and other materials relating to the Women's Athletic Association; also photographs

Photos of women involved in athletics and other physical activities, including dance, Lantern Night, and Freshman Week; also photos of Barbour Gymnasium, Women's Athletic Building, the Health Service, and the Michigan League.

Professor of physical education for women in the School of Education and professor of health education in the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan. Series in the collection include: biographical information, correspondence, research papers, health education projects and studies, University of Michigan School of Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, course materials, associations files, and topical files; includes photographs.

The Mabel E. Rugen Papers contain a wealth of information which documents the early years of the University of Michigan's physical education program for women, professional education for teachers of physical education, and the important contributions Rugen made in a field previously dominated by men. The collection has been divided intellectually into eight main series: Correspondence, Research Papers, Health Education Projects and Studies, School of Education, School of Public Health, Course Materials, Associations, and Topical.

Correspondence and other files of Margaret Bell, chairman of the Department of Physical Education for Women of the University of Michigan, and physician in the University Health Service. Materials relate to University activities, conferences and speeches, copies of articles and other writings, and photographs.

The papers support the work and activities of Margaret Bell as Professor of Physical Education, Chairman of Department of Physical Education for Women, and a physician in Health Services at the University of Michigan from 1923 to 1956, and are divided into two sub-groups of personal activities and those specific to the University of Michigan.

The strength of the papers is found in the correspondence and reports which show the growth of physical education programs for women at the University and the identification of issues important to physical education and health in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, with the correspondence, speeches, and publications of Margaret Bell. Historical records about the Women's Athletic Building and the Women's Athletic Association are also important.

Significant correspondents include: Amos Alonzo Stagg, John Dewey, and Elmer D. Mitchell, as well as other physical education professionals: Elizabeth Halsey, Ernest Jokl, Julian Smith, Ruth Glassow, Jay B. Nash, Charles Harold McCloy, Mable Lee, Vance Blanchard, and Charles Forsyth.

Topics of special note include the article, "Athletic Competition for Women," written for AAU March, 29, 1954, as well as other articles about the physiological effects of exercise and sport for women. During the 1950s and early 1960s college women participated in playdays and sportsdays, rather than the organized intercollegiate athletic programs of the present day. There was concern that women were not physically capable of such strenuous demands of full-court basketball and were limited by the rules to half-court play during the 1950's, with two rovers being added in the 1960's.

Instructor and professor of physical education, 1930-1977, and first director of women's athletics, 1972-1976, at the University of Michigan. Papers document the history of physical education and recreational sports for women and the development of women's varsity athletics at the university as well as Hartwig's involvement in various professional associations and her work with recreation programs at Interlochen Music Camp.

The papers of Marie Hartwig consist of 6 linear feet of material and one oversize volume concerning the career, activities, and thought of Marie ("Pete") Hartwig. The papers document Hartwig's wide range of activities as educator, coach and women's athletics administrator at the University of Michigan and her work with the recreation program at the National Music Camp at Interlochen, Michigan.

The papers contain material relating to the history of women's physical education, recreation and athletics at the University of Michigan from the 1930s to 1980s; the history of recreational activities and the Camper Education Program at the National Music Camp in Interlochen, Michigan from the 1940s to 1980s; and the evolution of Hartwig's ideas about instruction in sports, the training of counselors and management of recreational camps, and recreational programs for children and adults.

Records, 1905-1962, of the Women's Athletic Association of the University of Michigan. Include constitution, minutes, reports, and other materials; also record books detailing administration of Michigras and Spring Weekend, social and fund-raising activities jointly sponsored with the Michigan Union.

The records contain the original constitution and those of 1953 and 1959, officers reports (1955-1961), executive committee record books (1905-1929), record books (1917-1960), lists of officers, and annual reports of activities. Newsletters, scrapbooks, and photograph detail the activities of the W.A.A., including those of the Michigras Committee and the Spring Weekend Committee.

Researchers interested in the Women's Athletic Association should also consult the records of the Department of Physical Education for Women, which include a history of the Women's Athletic Association.