Delphine Hanna Papers, 1884-1970
| Oberlin College Archives
Administrative/Biographical History
Delphine Hanna, daughter of John Vacanson and Juliet (Chadwick) Hanna, was born in Markesan, Wis., on December 2, 1854. She graduated from Brockport, N.Y., State School Normal School in 1874, and from the Sargeant School of Physical Education in 1885. She received the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the University of Michigan in 1890, the degree of Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University in 1901, and the degree of Master of Arts from Oberlin College in 1901.
Hanna came to Oberlin College as an Instructor in Physical Culture in 1885; two years later she became Director of the Women's Gymnasium and Teacher of Physiology. In 1897, she was appointed Director of Physical Training, and in 1903 Director of the Women's Gymnasium and Professor of Physical Training (later Physical Education). She continued in this position until her retirement in 1920 as Professor Emeritus.
Hanna was a pioneer in the field of physical education for women. She was the first woman in the United States, if not in the world, to hold a professorship in physical education. It was through her influence that the teachers' course in physical education in Oberlin was inaugurated. Hanna initiated the establishment of the college's camp on the shore of Lake Erie in c. 1921. During the summer, physical education students learned to swim and to teach swimming at Hanna Camp.
In 1925 the University of Michigan added her name to the "Michigan Hall of Fame" for her outstanding work in the field of physical education for women. The American Association for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation honored her in 1931with one of their fellowship awards-- the highest honor they bestow.
Delphine Hanna was a talented and dedicated teacher and many students would remember her fondly. On her retirement, former student Fred Eugene Leonard (1889 AB, 1892 AM) wrote, "Dr. Hanna's own special knowledge and skill in medical gymnastics, combined with her deep personal interest in the individual student, have made possible an amount and kind of corrective work that is probably unique in American colleges and universities."
After her retirement she made her home in Cocoanut Grove, Florida and later in Niagara Falls, N.Y. Hanna died in a sanitarium in Castile, N.Y., on April 16, 1941, following a long illness, the cause of death being the infirmities of old age.
In May 1957, students, staff members and friends of the Women's Department of Physical Education established the Delphine Hanna Foundation. Funds were used for the curricular and extracurricular enrichment of the physical education program of Oberlin College.
SOURCES CONSULTED
Minnie L. Lynn, "Portrait of a Pioneer," The Oberlin Alumni Magazine, July 1957.
Alumni Records: Faculty, Staff, Trustees (RG 28/3): Faculty file of Delphine Hanna.
Author: Josh Adler, Kenneth M. Grossi, Beth Spalding Forms of Material (links to similar genres) Administrative InformationRecords of the Physical Education Department (RG 9/6)
Helen Domonkos Papers (RG 30/230)
Fred Eugene Leonard Papers (RG 30/47)
The papers of Delphine Hanna document her work as a pioneer in the field of physical education for women. The biographical files contain brief sketches of Hanna’s career, recollections of her former students, and materials relating to her induction in the Michigan Hall of Fame. The correspondence series contains two letters written by Hanna to Alumnae of the Oberlin College and two letters from individuals who sought information concerning Hanna’s work. The bulk of the material concerns Hanna’s teaching and research in the area of physical education. Files contain materials relating to Hanna Camp, the female students in the Oberlin College Physical Education Department and a pamphlet written by Hanna concerning gymnastic lessons. A separate file contains minutes and reports relating to the Women’s Gymnasium and Field Association. The collection also contains photographs of Delphine Hanna and Oberlin College students.
The collection is divided into four series: 1. Biographical files, 2.Correspondence, 3. Files Relating to Physical Education, and 4. Photographs.
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS
Series 1. Biographical Files, 1925, 1939-42, 1969-70, n.d.
Consists of biographical sketches, student recollections, and materials concerning Delphine Hanna’s induction in the Michigan Hall of Fame.
Series 2. Correspondence, 1921, 1926, 1931
The correspondence includes letters written by Hanna to Alumnae of Oberlin College and from individuals who sought information concerning Hanna’s work.
Series 3. Files Relating to Physical Education, 1884-1921, 1928, 1946
Consists of materials relating to Hanna Camp, and students of the Oberlin College Physical Education Department. Notes compiled by Hanna while a student at Dr. Sargeant’s School of Physical Education are also included. Minutes and reports of the Women’s Gymnasium and Field Association and a pamphlet by Hanna titled “Gymnastics Lessons” are filed here.
Series 4. Photographs, 1906-20, n.d. (15 photographs)
The photographic series includes three portraits of Delphine Hanna, interpretive dancing in front of the Memorial Arch, a group photograph from Oberlin College’s Irish Lily Pageant, and a number of other items.
INVENTORY
Box 1
Series 1. Biographical Files, 1925, 1939-42, 1969-70, n.d.
Biographical sketches, Michigan Hall of Fame, 1925, 1939-42(?)
Recollections of Delphine Hanna, 1969-70, n.d.
Series 2. Correspondence, 1921, 1926, 1931
Letters from Hanna to P. E. Alumnae, 1921, 1931
Letters re: Delphine Hanna, 1926
Series 3. Files Relating to Physical Education, 1884-1921, 1928, 1946
"Gymnastic Lessons" by Delphine Hanna, 1912
Hanna Camp (Physical Education Camp), 1917, 1921, 1928, 1946
Notes of Delphine Hanna from Dr. Sargeant's School of Physical Education,
Cambridge, 1884-85 Oberlin female students, measurements and medical
history, 1885 (restricted) (1 vol)
Physical Education students at Oberlin College - List compiled by Hanna,
1886-1900 (1 vol)
Women's Gymnasium and Field Association: Minutes of Board Meetings, regular
meetings, reports (secretary's book), 1901-20
Series 4. Photographs, 1906-20, n.d. (15 photographs)
Chorus in the “Clouds” of Aristophanes, c. 1908-09
Interpretive Dance Pose at Memorial Arch, n.d.
Interpretive Dancing in front of Memorial Arch, c. 1917
Irish Lily Pageant, Oberlin College, n.d.
Miscellaneous Photographs, 1906, 1908, n.d. (4 photographs)
Mrs. Hatch, Dr. Cochran, and Miss Eldridge (?), n.d.
Oberlin Public School Children, 1908
Portraits of Hanna, 1909, n.d. (3 photographs)
Princeton (?) Women’s Basketball Team, 1907
Yale and Princeton Basketball Teams, 1906