Document Type
Finding Aid
Collection Number
MSS-007
Publication Date
2016
Last Revision Date
5-12-2020
Description
The Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (MAHPERD) is a non-profit organization for professionals and students dedicated to promoting healthy and active lifestyles. The organization was in existence in 1935 as Massachusetts Society of the American Physical Education Association, before changing to the Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation and finally adding “Dance” to its name in 1983. MAHPERD is a division of the Eastern District Association of SHAPE (Society of Health and Physical Educators) America, a national organization started in 1885 as American Alliance for Health, Physical Education and Recreation. AAHPERD became SHAPE America in 2013.
A list of known presidents can be found at the end of this document, including those from Bridgewater State University.
The collection consists of five series of documents focusing on sports, physical activity and physical education in Massachusetts and one series of photographs and multimedia. Contents in the collection include history of the organization, meeting minutes, board and member lists, legislative and financial reports, correspondence, periodicals, publications, promotional ads, convention photographs and other material from this group going back to 1935. It is an active organization and new records are added periodically.