Item #17117 One of the First Academy's in 1897 That Teaches Sports to Women, "is intended to be a training-school for the body" Women Education, Physical Education.
One of the First Academy's in 1897 That Teaches Sports to Women, "is intended to be a training-school for the body"

One of the First Academy's in 1897 That Teaches Sports to Women, "is intended to be a training-school for the body"

First Edition

[19th c. Women] [Physical Education] C.L. McCluer Stevens. “A Unique School,” for girls that focuses on physical education described in an original 1897 article from The Windsor Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly, Volume 6, 1897. Unbound. p. 589-594. 9 x 6.5 inches. Article about a school for girls that focuses on physical education, Bergman Österberg Physical Training College in Dartford, UK. Martina Bergman-Österberg pioneered teaching physical education as a full subject within the English school curriculum, with Swedish-style gymnastics at its core. Bergman-Österberg was an advocate of women's emancipation, directly encouraging women to be active in both sport and education. Dartford was one of the first physical education instructor's college in England (Osterberg had founded one earlier). “Madam Osterberg’s is intended to be a training-school for the body .. Its raison d’etre, to produce, as nearly as may be, women who shall be physically perfect.” She only admitted students with above-average intelligence and education, an aptitude for natural science, a sound constitution and character, a pleasing appearance, and considerable zeal and devotion. After completing the course, graduates of the college were virtually guaranteed employment in girls schools throughout the country.

Six photo-illustrated images of the school grounds and gymnasium, the headmistress, girls cycling and playing basketball. Basketball was invented in America in 1891, and in 1893, Bergman-Österberg returned from a visit to the United States, and informally introduced one version of basketball to her students. In the article, the sport is described in a rather novel way: “a new and exceedingly fascinating sport called ‘basket-ball.’ This really splendid game, about which a good deal will probably be heard in England in the near future, is an importation from America…” Light brown stains along inside edge of pages. In very good condition. An article about a unique girls’ academy.

Item #17117

Price: $180.00