Holdings Alumni Association Alumni Lester Leutwiler Chief Illi... Finding Aid Title: Lester Leutwiler Chief Illiniwek Headdress and Costume Accessories
ID: 26/20/262
Primary Creator: Lester Leutwiler (1907-1993)
Extent: 3.5 cubic feet
Arrangement: Unarranged
Date Acquired: 06/17/2024
This collection contains pieces from Lester Leutwiler's University of Illinois Chief costume, including the headdress and other accessories.
Lester Leutwiler was born on April 1, 1907. He grew up in Urbana, Illinois and attended Urbana High School. His father worked at the University of Illinois as both a Professor and the Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Leutwiler was an Eagle Scout where he learned about Native American Culture. He took a great interest in the subject and learned about "Fancy Dance", a Plains Indian style of dance. He also attended a camp in Mount Elbert Colorado where he created a Native American headdress with the help of camp runner, Ralph Hubbard. This would become the headdress used in Leutwiler's Chief performances. Leutwiler attended the University of Illinois and received a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Due to his knowledge of Native American culture and dance, the director of the marching band, Ray Dvorak, invited Leutwiler to debut the Chief. The first performance took place in a halftime show for a football game against the University of Pennsylvania on October 3, 1926. He performed as the Chief from 1926 to 1928, graduating in 1929. He passed away in February of 1993.
Accession Number: 2024.26.20.262.31
Condition: Good
Material: Photo paper, matte board
Description: A c-print photograph depicting Mike Gonzalez, the 21st Chief, performing a dance dressed in his chief regalia*. Photo was taken by Richard E. Brooks. A label containing information about the chief tradition and photo productino notes is located on the obverse side. Matte displays fasing along edges on both front and back indicating it was once mounted in a frame. Books' signature is written in the lower right of the matte, below the photograph.
Measurement: 23 by 24cm mounted in a 33 by 46cm matte
*Please note that the clothes worn by Gonzalez are not the same clothes contained in this collection, which were worn by Lester Leutwiler.
Accession Number: 2024.26.20.262.32
Condition: Good
Material: Oak wood, electrical tape, cotton
Description: An oak wood handle that appears to be reclaimed from a premanufactured item. One end contains a bundle of cotton wrapped in black electrical tape. Appears to have a slight taper down the handle from the head of the beater.
Measurement: 51cm in length
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