Girls' gymnastics class, Omaha Central High School
Description
In this 9 1/2" x 7 1/2" black and white photograph, fifteen young women are posing with various pieces of gymnastics equipment, including a balance beam, rings, parallel bars, balls, clubs, and ropes. The gymnasium in which they are posing has hardwood floors, with some mats scattered around, and a high ceiling. The young women wear dark dresses and tights.
Omaha Public School Archive Collection / Educational Research Library
Local Accession/Call Number
Archive Files: Central High School File
Historical Notes
This is one of a series of photographs taken of the interior of the newly completed Omaha Central High School building located at 20th and Dodge Streets in 1912. The white limestone building was constructed over a twelve year period to replace the original 1872 brick building. The school became known as Omaha Central High School sometime after the stone building was completed. Depending on the source, the name was changed to differentiate it from the Omaha High School of Commerce about 1912, or it was changed about 1916, after South Omaha High School became part of the Omaha Public School District. The Omaha Central High School building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The girls in this photograph are wearing gym clothing typical of the time. A note from the 1913 Omaha Public School Annual report on Physical Training stated: "This department employs 2 teachers, one of whom gives her whole time and the other three fifths of her time to this work. There are enrolled 302 girls. The work is optional and may continued for four years. The aim is first of all corrective, then recreative, then for the development of skills, bodily poise and graceful carriage."
