Summary Information
Whittaker Family Papers
1878-1951
Local History Manuscript Collection 372
0.3 cubic ft. (1 box)
Milwaukee Public Library (Map)
David W. Whittaker was the founder of the Whittaker
Swimming School which operated for almost fifty years on the Milwaukee River at
North Avenue. His son, George J. Whittaker, held world amateur swimming titles,
broke speed records and succeeded his father as owner of the School. George and his
siblings: Elba, Sylvia, Linet, David, and Pierre were all involved in swimming as
lifeguards, instructors and as competitive swimmers at public parks and beaches, the
YWCA and the Whittaker Swimming School.
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English
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.mwpl-lhmc0372 ↑ Bookmark this ↑
Biography/History
Elba E. Whittaker (1888-1970) was the daughter of David W. Whittaker (1844-1928) and
Maria McCabe Whittaker (1853-1935). David W. Whittaker was the founder of the
Whittaker Swimming School which operated for almost fifty years on the Milwaukee
River at North Avenue. Elba’s brother, George J. Whittaker (1872-1953) who held
world amateur swimming titles and broke speed records. George succeeded his father
as owner of the School from 1910 until 1921 when Wallace Millard, former proprietor
of Rohn's Swimming School, took over the Whittaker Swimming School. Elba, George and
their siblings Sylvia Whittaker Robinson (1877-1934), Linet W. (1883-1907), David C.
(1887-1961), and Pierre J. (1897-1931) were all involved in swimming and swimming
education. Some served as lifeguards and swimming instructors at public parks and
beaches, and with the YWCA as well as for the Whittaker Swimming School. They
participated in competitions and performed in swimming and diving exhibitions; Elba
taught swimming at Harvard University.
Scope and Content Note
This collection was rearranged from a ‘family memory album’ assembled by Elba E.
Whittaker. It includes newspaper clippings, correspondence, photographs, artwork and
programs related to the Whittaker family, the family’s swimming activities, their
swimming school and general swimming related materials.
Arrangement of the Materials
The subjects are arranged alphabetically and then chronologically within each
folder.
Preferred Citation
Whittaker Family Papers, 1878-1951, Collection 372. Local History Manuscript
Collections, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Related Material in the Milwaukee Public Library
Administrative/Restriction Information
There are no access restrictions on the materials. The collection is open to all
in accordance with state law. The public may view Local History Manuscript
Collections by appointment at the Central Library. To request an in-person
appointment, create/login to your Special Collections Account. If you have any questions, please
contact the Archives and Special Collections Department at mplarchives@milwaukee.gov.
The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel,
privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection
(Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).
No acquisition information is currently available. Materials were accessioned as
Local History Manuscripts Collection.
Described by Dan Schramm, Fieldwork student, 2001. Processed by Casey Lapworth,
2019.
Contents List
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Family memory album
|
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Clippings
|
|
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Box
1
Folder
1-2
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1894-1951, undated
|
|
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Box
1
Folder
3
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Obituaries, 1927-1931,
undated
|
|
|
Box
1
Folder
4-5
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Swimming, 1900-1924, undated
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|
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Box
1
Folder
6
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Correspondence, 1893-1917,
undated
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|
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Box
1
Folder
7
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Ephemera, 1895-1940, undated
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Box
1
Folder
8
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Photographs, undated
|
|
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Box
1
Folder
9
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Poem, 1891
|
|
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Box
1
Folder
10
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Sketches, 1878-1908, undated
|
|
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