Downtown in Indianapolis in Marion County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Normal College of the American Gymnastics Union
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 6, 2023
1. Normal College of the American Gymnastics Union Marker
The Normal College, now incorporated into IUPUIs School of Health and Human Sciences, was the oldest continuously operating physical training school in the country. Founded by German immigrants, the school first opened in New York in 1866, moving to various cities before relocating in 1907 to Indianapolis as the Normal College of the American Gymnastic Union in a wing of the Athenaeum (formerly Das Deutsche Haus). In 1932, the college became affiliated with IU, leading to a merger in 1941, creating the Normal College of the American Gymnastic Union of Indiana University. Camp Brosius was among the assets acquired. The work of the Normal College was incorporated when IU organized the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation in 1945. In 1973, the Colleges name changed to the School of Physical Education. It became part of the School of Physical Education and Tourism Management in 2002, which was merged into the new School of Health and Human Sciences in 2018.
Erected 2020 by Indiana University.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Science & Medicine •
this page online
Location. 39° 46.27′ N, 86° 10.532′ W. Marker is in Indianapolis, Indiana, in Marion County. It is in Downtown. It is on University Boulevard south of West New York Street, on the left when traveling south. Marker is by the west entrance to the Indiana University Natatorium. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 901 W New York St, Indianapolis IN 46202, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Indiana. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Herron School of Art and Design (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mill Race Site (approx. Ό mile away); McCormick Cabin Site (approx. Ό mile away); Bulgarian Orthodox Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Isaac Blackford (approx. 0.3 miles away); The College Inn Site
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 6, 2023
2. Normal College of the American Gymnastics Union Marker
Also see . . .
1. Normal College of the American Gymnastics Union. Encyclopedia of Indianapolis website entry:
Physical education professional training did not begin in America until the North American Turnerbund, the national governing body of gymnastics societies created by German gymnastics enthusiasts, established the Normal College of the American Gymnastic Union (NCAGU) in 1866. (Submitted on August 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. Examine: Physical Education. Photo gallery of Normal College students playing sports and working on their physical fitness in 1917. (Indiana University Library) (Submitted on August 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 348 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
