mufs070 Adeline E. Hicks Papers, 1936-1976 Finding Aid Finding aid prepared by mu. Encoding funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Special Collections and University Archives, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, University of Massachusetts Amherst 2003

Finding aid encoded using Perl scripts and edited in XMetal 2.0. Encoded by Eric S. Cartier. 2003-07-22 Finding aid written in English. 2005-09-23 mu172 converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02-5c.xsl (sy2003-10-15). Special Collections and University Archives, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, University of Massachusetts Amherst Adeline E. Hicks Papers, 1936-1976 Finding Aid FS 70 Encoding funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Collection Overview Hicks, Adeline E., 1888-1976 Adeline E. Hicks Papers1936-1976 FS 70 2 boxes 1.25 linear ft. Special Collections and University Archives, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, University of Massachusetts Amherst Professor of Physical Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst when it was known as Massachusetts Agricultural College who established the physical education program for women and helped to create the women's gymnasium and athletic field. In her retirement she composed music that was performed by the University of Arizona orchestra. Includes musical scores, lesson-plan photographs illustrating instruction in modern dance, correspondence, printed programs for performance of the muscial compositions, text of an address, a history of physical education for women at Massachustts State College by Mrs. Hicks, personnel records, and brief biographical items. English. Biographical Note

Adeline E. Hicks, a graduate of the Michigan State Normal College in 1909, and B.A., 1925, established the physical education program for women at the Massachusetts Agricultural College in 1917, was made a member of the faculty in 1921, and became Physical Director for Women in 1927. She was one of the earliest exponents of modern dance as part of the physical education curriculum. Under her direction the old Drill Hall was renovated into the women's gymnasium in 1931, and a new athletic field for women was opened in 1936. In 1937 Mrs. Hicks resigned after twenty years of distinguished service, which were marked by a citation from the Board of Trustees. In 1949 she retired to Arizona with her husband, Curry S. Hicks, who was head of the department of physical education of the College from 1911 until 1949.

In retirement Mrs. Hicks' interest in modern dance turned toward the creation of music, and for ten years she composed in many different forms and for many different instruments and combinations, including symphonic forms. All of her symphonic pieces were performed by the University of Arizona Orchestra between 1970 and 1976, and many of her compositions for smaller groups were also performed there, between 1967 and 1976.

Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Adeline Hicks Papers consist largely of manuscript musical scores and parts, composed by Mrs. Hicks in the 1960s and 1970s at the University of Arizona. Also included are lesson-plan photographs illustrating instruction in modern dance given by Mrs. Hicks at the University of Massachusetts during 1917-1937. To these have been added brief biographical items, including correspondence and poetry; the text of an address; a history of physical education for women at Massachusetts State College written by Mrs. Hicks in 1936; and printed programs for performances of many of her musical compositions.

Organization of the Collection

This collection is organized into three series:

Series 1. Biographical and Instructional Materials, n.d. Series 2. Musical Compositions: Large Forms, 1970-1976, n.d. Series 3. Musical Compositions: Small Forms, 1967-1976, n.d.

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Cite as: Adeline E. Hicks Papers (RG 40/11 Hicks). Special Collections and University Archives, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Additional Formats

Some materials, primarily photographs and biographical materials including correspondence, University reports, poetry and clippings, have been digitized and are available online at: http://clio.fivecolleges.edu/umass/40-11faculty/hicks/

Acquired from Adeline Hicks in June 1981.

Processed by SCUA staff.

Search Terms Hicks, Adeline E. Composers--Massachusetts. Music--Massachusetts. Sports for women. University of Massachusetts Amherst. Department of Physical Education. University of Massachusetts Amherst--Faculty. Hicks, Adeline E. Series 1. Biographical and Instructional Materialsn.d. 1 1 Biography 1 2 Lesson-plan photos for modern dance instruction Series 2. Musical Compositions: Large Forms1970-1976, n.d. 1 3 Autumn For orchestra. 1970