Walter J. Wittich Papers, 1892-1955


Summary Information
Title: Walter J. Wittich Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1892-1955

Creator:
  • Wittich, Walter J.
Call Number: LAX Mss 2010/03

Physical Description: 2.71 c.f.(4 archives boxes, 1 oversize box and 3 map drawers)
Repository:
Archival Locations:
UW-La Crosse Murphy Library / La Crosse Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Abstract:
The papers of Walter Wittich primarily consist of materials relating to his personal life and professional career, including correspondence, schoolwork, lecture notes and papers of the Physical Education Department, a family history, newspaper clippings, certificates, and art work. The Wittich papers also document the development and distribution through the American Red Cross of his First Aid Wheel and Tank Weight. Also included are his personal drawings and paintings that consist mainly of portraits of unknown subjects and landscapes.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-lac-mss201003
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Arrangement

The collection is arranged alphabetically by subject and then chronologically.

Scope and Content

The papers of Walter Wittich primarily consist of materials relating to his personal life and professional career. Materials include personal and professional correspondence, schoolwork, lecture notes and papers for the Physical Education Department, a family history, newspaper clippings, and certificates, several of which are located in an oversized box. Included within his early education materials are the commencement addresses he gave in 1904 and 1906 as well as papers, poetry, report cards, and his speech for the Inter-Normal Debate in 1906. Milwaukee Normal School's 1906 yearbook, The Echo, includes a sketch drawn by Wittich. The Wittich papers also document the development and distribution of his First Aid Wheel and Tank Weight. Also included are his personal drawings and paintings that consist mainly of portraits of unknown subjects and landscapes.

Biography

Walter Wittich was born on December 26, 1885 in Dayton, Ohio. His father, George Wittich, was a leader in the field of physical education. After moving to St. Louis, the Wittich family settled in Milwaukee when George became supervisor of physical education for the public schools. During his school-aged years Walter displayed a growing interest in public speaking and writing, even presenting a commencement address to his graduating class. Wittich graduated from Milwaukee's East Division High School in 1904 and attended Milwaukee Normal School for two years. In 1908, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin. Wittich also did graduate work at Harvard, where he received his diploma in physical education in 1916, and studied at Columbia. He received his M.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1928.

In 1917, Wittich came to La Crosse State College as the assistant director of health, physical education, and recreation, and in 1918 he became the head of the department. Wittich developed several programs while at La Crosse including the City of La Crosse outdoor sports program, the community winter sports activity, the La Crosse Men's Sketch Club, and a local college program in teachers training. He was on the editorial board of "The Physical Educator" and was the editor of the annual newsletter of the health, physical education, and recreation department at La Crosse State College. Along with physical education, Wittich also encouraged colleagues and students alike to participate in drawing and painting activities.

Wittich was active in the community and provided swimming and diving instruction on the Mississippi River and led first aid, disaster, and other programs at the La Crosse Chapter of the American Red Cross. During World War II he developed a first aid wheel to be used in the organization's classes which was eventually distributed nationally. Wittich died on August 8, 1953.

Contents List
Series: I. Personal
Subseries: A. Correspondence
Box   1
Folder   1
Family, 1894-1896 and Undated
Box   1
Folder   2
Family, 1904-1962
Box   1
Folder   3
General, 1895-1953
Box   1
Folder   4
George Wittich's Retirement, 1920-1922
Box   1
Folder   5
Get Well, 1953
Box   1
Folder   6
Real Estate, 1937-1953
Box   1
Folder   7
Sympathy, 1953
Box   1
Folder   8
Valley Forge Heart Institute and Hospital, 1953
Subseries: B. Early Education
Commencement
Box   1
Folder   9
East Division High School "Catch the Muskellunge", 1904
Box   1
Folder   10
Milwaukee Normal School "Ivy Oration", 1906
Oversize Box   1
University of Wisconsin, Master of Arts Degree, 1928
Box   1
Folder   11
Composition Book, Undated
Box   1
Folder   12
German Exercise Book, 1921-1922
Box   1
Folder   13
Inter-Normal Debate and Oratorical Contest, 1906
Box   1
Folder   14
Junior Prom Program, 1906
Box   1
Folder   15
Papers, 1899-1905 and Undated
Box   1
Folder   16
Poetry, Undated
Box   1
Folder   17
Report Cards, 1892-1928
Box   1
Folder   18
Reward of Merit Cards, 1894
Box   1
Folder   19
Summer Programs, 1914
Yearbooks
Box   2
Folder   1
The Echo, 1905
Box   2
Folder   2
The Echo, 1906
Subseries: C. Family
Box   2
Folder   3
Death Certificate, Emilie Mayer, 1949
Box   2
Folder   4
Family History, 1936 and Undated
Box   2
Folder   5
Lake Fish Canning Co., Certificate for Shares, 1946 and 1949
Box   2
Folder   6
Lion's Club , 1927-1955
Box   2
Folder   7
Marriage Certificate and Wedding Announcement, 1909
Box   2
Folder   8
Memorial, 1953
Box   2
Folder   9
Miscellaneous, 1898, 1933, and Undated
Box   2
Folder   10
Newspaper Clippings, 1945-1959 and Undated
Box   2
Folder   11
Resident Hunting License, 1905
Box   2
Folder   12
Rohn's Swimming School, Brochures, 1899, 1945, and Undated
Box   2
Folder   13
Travel Notes, 1926 and Undated
Subseries: D. Artwork
Note:an item-level description of Wittich's original artwork is supplied in Appendix A at the end of this finding aid.
Series: II. Professional Career
Box   3
Folder   1
Conference Programs, 1952-1953
Box   3
Folder   2
Copyright Agreement, Exercises on the Apparatus with Tumbling and Stunts, 1924
First Aid Wheel
Box   3
Folder   3
Copyright Registration and Assignment, 1942-1943
Box   3
Folder   4
Correspondence, 1937-1955
Box   3
Folder   5
Deveopment and Advertisement, Undated
Box   3
Folder   6
Models, Undated
Oversize Box   1
La Crosse teachers College, Proposed Campus Layout Undated
Magazines
Box   3
Folder   7
"Beach and Pool", 1932
Box   3
Folder   8
"The Physical Educator", 1952
Newsletters
Box   3
Folder   9
Correspondence, 1941
Box   3
Folder   10
The Wisconsin Association for the Physical Education and Health Education, 1951-1953
Physical Education Department
Correspondence, 1923-1926
Box   3
Folder   11
A-B
Box   3
Folder   12
C-E
Box   3
Folder   13
F-K
Box   3
Folder   14
L-Z
Box   4
Folder   1
Demonstration Boards, Undated
Box   4
Folder   2
Exercises and Games, Undated
Box   4
Folder   3
Graduates, 1949 and 1953
Box   4
Folder   4
Lectures and Papers, Undated
Box   4
Folder   5
Policies and Studies, 1950-1952
Box   4
Folder   6
Requirements, 1943-1951 and Undated
Presentations
Box   4
Folder   7
Correspondence, 1946-1952
Box   4
Folder   8
Outlines, Undated
Box   4
Folder   9
Resume and Teaching Certificates, 1908-1919
Box   4
Folder   10
Retirement and Benefits, 1923-1954
Box   4
Folder   11
State Teachers College, Campus Activities, 1934,1950, and Undated
Box   4
Folder   12
Tank Weight, 1932
Box   4
Folder   13
WAHPER Committee, Meeting Agendas, 1953
Yearbooks
Box   4
Folder   14
Amor Vincit, 1943
Series: III. Certificates
American Red Cross
Box   Oversize Box 1
1930
Box   4
Folder   15
1942-1946
Box   4
Folder   16
La Crosse State Teachers College, 1931-1936
Lions Club
Box   Oversize Box 1
1926
Box   Oversize Box 1
1940
Box   Oversize Box 1
Nordamerikanischer Turnerbund 29. Bundesturnfest, 1905
Box   Oversize Box 1
Nordamerikanischer Turnerbund 29. Bundesturnfest, 1909
Box   4
Folder   17
National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, 1938
Box   4
Folder   18
Phi Epsilon Kappa Fraternity, 1926
Oversize Box 1: List of Items
Item Number Description
1 Drawings, La Crosse Teachers College, Proposed Campus Layout, Undated
2 Certificates, Lions Club, 1926
3 Certificates, Lions Club, 1940
4 Certificates, American Red Cross, 1930
5 Certificates, Nordamerikanischer Turnerbund 29. Bundesturnfest, 1905
6 Certificates, Nordamerikanischer Turnerbund 30. Bundesturnfest, 1909
7 Early Education, Commencement, University of Wisconsin, Master of Arts Degree, 1928

Appendix A (Artwork located in Map Case 4)
Black and White
Item Number Description Drawer Folder
2010/03 Art-1: Drawings, Doodles 7 1
2010/03 Art-2: Drawings, Doodles 7 1
2010/03 Art-3: Drawings, Doodles 7 1
2010/03 Art-4: Drawings, Doodles 7 1
2010/03 Art-5: Drawings, Doodles 7 1
2010/03 Art-6: Drawings, Doodles 7 1
2010/03 Art-7: Drawings, Doodles 7 1
2010/03 Art-8: Drawings, Profile of Man 7 1
2010/03 Art-9: Drawings, Profile of Woman 7 1
2010/03 Art-10: Drawings, Man Sitting in Chair 7 1
2010/03 Art-11: Drawings, Sketch of Men and Trees 7 1
2010/03 Art-12: Drawings, Profile of Man 7 1
2010/03 Art-13: Drawings, Landscape, Open Field 7 1
2010/03 Art-14: Drawings, Landscape, Boats on Shore 7 1
2010/03 Art-15: Drawings, Landscape, House and Barn, October 29, 1933 7 1
2010/03 Art-16: Drawings, Portrait of Woman with Head on Pillow 7 1
2010/03 Art-17: Drawings, Profiles and Leg Extensions at Three Angles 7 2
2010/03 Art-18: Drawings, Portrait of Man in Suit 7 2
2010/03 Art-19: Drawings, Profile of Woman in Hat 7 2
2010/03 Art-20: Drawings, Portrait of Man 7 2
2010/03 Art-21: Drawings, Portrait of Woman 7 2
2010/03 Art-22: Drawings, Portrait of Woman 7 2
2010/03 Art-23: Drawings, Profile of Woman 7 2
2010/03 Art-24: Drawings, Portrait of Man in Suit 7 2
2010/03 Art-25: Drawings, Profile of Woman 7 2
2010/03 Art-26: Drawings, Portrait of Man 7 2
2010/03 Art-27: Drawings, Profile of Woman 7 3
2010/03 Art-28: Drawings, Portrait of Woman with Eyes Closed 7 3
2010/03 Art-29: Drawings, Portrait of Woman in Hat 7 3
2010/03 Art-30: Drawings, Portrait of Woman 7 3
2010/03 Art-31: Drawings, Profile of Woman 7 3
2010/03 Art-32: Drawings, Nude Portrait of Woman 7 3
2010/03 Art-33: Drawings, Portrait of Woman Wearing Head Scarf 7 3
2010/03 Art-34: Drawings, Portrait of Woman Sitting on Table 7 3
2010/03 Art-35: Drawings, Portrait of Woman Holding Umbrella 7 3
2010/03 Art-36: Drawings, Potrait of Woman in Bathing Suit, Sitting 7 3
2010/03 Art-37: Drawings, Landscape, Rendering Platform 7 4
2010/03 Art-38: Drawings, Profile of Woman 7 4
2010/03 Art-39: Drawings, Profile of Woman in Bathing Suit, Sitting in Chair 7 4
2010/03 Art-40: Drawings, Portrait of Man Standing 7 4
2010/03 Art-41: Drawings, Portrait of Man with Rope 7 4
2010/03 Art-42: Drawings, Portrait of Woman Holding Tambourine 7 4
2010/03 Art-43: Drawings, Portrait of Woman in Bathing Suit, Standing 7 4
2010/03 Art-44: Drawings, Portrait of Young Woman Sitting in Chair 7 4
2010/03 Art-45: Drawings, Portrait of Man Sitting on Table 7 4
2010/03 Art-46: Drawings, Portrait of Woman with Eyes Closed 7 4
2010/03 Art-47: Drawings, Profile of Woman 7 5
2010/03 Art-48: Drawings, Portrait of Man 7 5
2010/03 Art-49: Drawings, Portrait of Man 7 5
2010/03 Art-50: Drawings, Portrait of Woman 7 5
2010/03 Art-51: Drawings, Portrait of Woman 7 5
2010/03 Art-52: Drawings, Portrait of Woman 7 5
2010/03 Art-53: Drawings, Portrait of Woman 7 5
2010/03 Art-54: Drawings, Portrait of Girl 7 5
2010/03 Art-55: Drawings, Portrait of Girl 7 5
2010/03 Art-56: Drawings, Portrait of Woman 7 5
2010/03 Art-57: Drawings, Portrait of Man 7 6
2010/03 Art-58: Drawings, Portrait of Man Sitting 7 6
2010/03 Art-59: Drawings, Landscape Park with Bench 7 6
2010/03 Art-60: Drawings, Profile of Man Holding Stick 7 6
2010/03 Art-61: Drawings, Portrait of Man with Crossed Arms 7 6
2010/03 Art-62: Drawings, Portrait of Man Wearing Suit and Hat 7 6
2010/03 Art-63: Drawings, Portrait of Woman Wearing Nursing Uniform 7 6
2010/03 Art-64: Drawings, Profile of Woman Wearing Head Scarf 7 6
2010/03 Art-65: Drawings, Portrait of Woman Standing and Sitting, "10 Min. Studies" 7 6
2010/03 Art-66: Drawings, Portrait of Man Sitting on Stool 7 6
2010/03 Art-67: Drawings, Portrait of Woman in Bathing Suit, Sitting on Table 7 7
2010/03 Art-68: Drawings, Portrait of Woman in Bathing Suit, Standing 7 7
2010/03 Art-69: Drawings, Portrait of Woman at Two Angles, Standing 7 7
2010/03 Art-70: Drawings, Sketch of Woman Sitting and Standing 7 7
2010/03 Art-71: Drawings, Sketch of Man Doing Shot Put and Pole Vaulting, "7 Min." 7 7
2010/03 Art-72: Drawings, Sketch of Man Standing and Pole Vaulting, "7 Min." 7 7
2010/03 Art-73: Drawings, Sketch of Man with Foot Propped on Chair 7 7
2010/03 Art-74: Drawings, Sketch of Woman at Two Angles, "5 Min." 7 7
2010/03 Art-75: Drawings, Sketch of Woman at Three Angles, "5 Min." 7 7
2010/03 Art-76: Drawings, Sketch of Woman Standing, "5 Min." 7 7
2010/03 Art-77: Drawings, Portrait of Woman Standing 7 8
2010/03 Art-78: Drawings, Sketch of Woman Leaning on Chair and Holding a Ball, "5 Min." 7 8
2010/03 Art-79: Drawings, Sketch of Woman at Three Angles, "5 Min." 7 8
2010/03 Art-80: Drawings, Portrait of Woman in Bathing Suit, Laying Down 7 8
2010/03 Art-81: Drawings, Sketch of Man at Three Angles, "5 Min." 7 8
2010/03 Art-82: Drawings, Portrait of Woman 7 8
2010/03 Art-83: Drawings, Portrait of Woman 8 6
2010/03 Art-84: Drawings, Sketch of Woman Standing and Sitting 7 8
2010/03 Art-85: Drawings, Portrait of Woman in Nursing Uniform 7 8
2010/03 Art-86: Drawings, Portrait of Woman Wearing Head Scarf 7 8
2010/03 Art-87: Drawings, Portrait of Man Resting Chin on Hand 7 9
2010/03 Art-88: Drawings, Portrait of Woman in Hat 7 9
2010/03 Art-89: Drawings, Portrait of Woman 7 9
2010/03 Art-90: Drawings, Portrait of Woman 7 9
2010/03 Art-91: Drawings, Portrait of Woman 7 9
2010/03 Art-92: Drawings, Portrait of Woman Laying Down 7 9
2010/03 Art-93: Drawings, Portrait of Woman 7 9
2010/03 Art-94: Drawings, Portrait of Man 7 9
2010/03 Art-95: Drawings, Portrait of Man Sitting in Chair, Reading 8 1
2010/03 Art-96: Drawings, Portrait of Man Standing, Holding Stick 8 1
2010/03 Art-97: Drawings, Profile of Woman 8 1
2010/03 Art-98: Drawings, Portrait of Girl Sitting 8 1
2010/03 Art-99: Drawings, Portrait of Woman Resting 8 1
2010/03 Art-100: Drawings, Portrait of Nun 8 1
2010/03 Art-101: Drawings, Nude Portrait of Woman Sitting 8 1
2010/03 Art-102: Drawings, Nude Portrait of Woman 8 1
2010/03 Art-103: Drawings, Portrait of Man in Hat 8 1
2010/03 Art-104: Drawings, Portrait of Statue Defining Muscles 8 2
2010/03 Art-105: Drawings, Portrait of Male Statue from Behind 8 2
2010/03 Art-106: Drawings, Portrait of male Statue 8 2
2010/03 Art-107: Drawings, Portrait of Male Statue, Lower Half 8 2
2010/03 Art-108: Drawings, Portrait of Male Bust 8 2
2010/03 Art-109: Drawings, Portrait of Male Bust 8 2
2010/03 Art-110: Drawings, Sketch of Flexed Leg 8 2
2010/03 Art-111: Drawings, Portrait of Male Statue from Behind 8 2
2010/03 Art-112: Drawings, Portrait of Female Bust 8 2
2010/03 Art-113: Drawings, Sketch of Female Statue, Mid-Section 8 2
2010/03 Art-114: Drawings, Portrait of Male Statue 8 3
2010/03 Art-115: Drawings, Portrait of Male Bust 8 3
2010/03 Art-116: Drawings, Portrait of Male Bust, Profile 8 3
2010/03 Art-117: Drawings, Portrait of Male Bust, Profile 8 3
2010/03 Art-118: Drawings, Portrait of Male Bust 8 3
2010/03 Art-119: Drawings, Portrait of Woman Sitting On Couch 8 3
2010/03 Art-120: Drawings, rendering of Proposed Hand Ball and Tennis Courts 8 3
2010/03 Art-121: Drawings, Landscape, Farm House and Open Fields 8 3
2010/03 Art-122: Drawings, Portrait of Woman in Hat and Scarf 8 4
2010/03 Art-123: Drawings, Portrait of Woman in Hat and Striped Vest 8 4
2010/03 Art-124: Drawings, Landscape, Man Fishing on the River Shore 8 4
2010/03 Art-125: Drawings, Landscape, Park Setting 8 4
2010/03 Art-126: Drawings, Portrait of Woman Laying on Couch 8 4
2010/03 Art-127: Drawings, Portrait of Man at Three Angles 8 4
2010/03 Art-128: Drawings, Landscape, Man Fishing in the River 8 4
2010/03 Art-129: Drawings, Landscape, Hay Field, 1933 8 4
2010/03 Art-130: Drawings, Landscape, Dried River, 1933 8 4
Color
2010/03 Art-131: Paintings, Landscape, Distant Farms 8 5
2010/03 Art-132: Drawings, Landscape, Frozen Lake 8 5
2010/03 Art-133: Drawings, Landscape, River Banks 8 5
2010/03 Art-134: Paintings, Home on a River 8 5
2010/03 Art-135: Paintings, Landscape, Outdoor Stage 8 5
2010/03 Art-136: Paintings, Still Life 8 6
2010/03 Art-137: Drawings, Portrait of Young Woman Sitting on Table 8 6
2010/03 Art-138: Drawings, Profile of Man Resting Chin on Hand 8 6
2010/03 Art-139: Drawings, Portrait of Woman Standing 8 6
2010/03 Art-140: Drawings, Portrait of native American Girl 8 7
2010/03 Art-141: Drawings, Landscape, Railroad Tracks and Wagon 8 7
2010/03 Art-142: Paintings, Portrait of Man with Green Tie 8 7
2010/03 Art-143: Paintings, Still Life 8 7
2010/03 Art-144: Paintings, Students in Art Class 8 7
2010/03 Art-145: Paintings, Landscape, Wooded Farm 9 1
2010/03 Art-146: Paintings, Portrait of Man in Blue Suit 9 2
2010/03 Art-147: Paintings, Portrait of Woman in Pink Dress 9 3
2010/03 Art-148: Paintings, Portrait of Man with Eyes Closed, 1937 9 4
2010/03 Art-149: Paintings, Landscape, Forest Trail 9 5