Finding Aid for Lester Leutwiler Chief Illiniwek Headdress and Costume Accessories | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

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Collection Overview

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

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This collection contains pieces from Lester Leutwiler's University of Illinois Chief costume, including the headdress and other accessories.

Collection Historical Note

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 it 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 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.

Biographical Note

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.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[Box 4],
[Box 5],
[Box 6],
[Box 7],
[Box 8],
[Box 9],
[All]

Box 2

Item 1: Moccasin, Left, circa 1924

Accession number: 2024.26.20.262.01

Physical condition: Fair

Material composition: Calfskin; glass beads; metal; feathers

Size 12 moccasin Calfskin moccasin with lane stitch glass beading, made in the style of Sioux Native Americans. Beadwork design features a white and light blue background with red, black, and orange triangles. Calfskin thong wrapped around the outside of the back piece of the moccasin. Two beaded straps extending from the vamp (top piece). One strap has two metal tassels on the end, one of which has small dyed purple feathers on the end. Beads are missing at the toe. Acquired by Lester Leutwiler at the 1924 Boy Scout Jamboree in Denmark.

Measurement: 30 cm

Item 2: Moccasin, Right, circa 1924

Accession number: 2024.26.20.262.02

Physical condition: Fair

Material composition: Calfskin; glass beads; metal; feathers

Size 12 moccasin featuring a calfskin moccasin with lane stitch glass beading, made in the style of Sioux Native Americans. Beadwork design features a white and light blue background with red, black, and orange triangles. Calfskin thong wrapped around the outside of the back piece of the moccasin. Two beaded straps extending from the vamp (top piece). One strap has two metal tassels on the end and the other strap has one metal tassel. Beads are missing at the toe. According to family history, it was acquired by Lester Leutwiler at the 1924 Boy Scout Jamboree in Denmark in a bartering agreement.

Measurement: 29.5 cm

Item 3: Arm Band 1, circa 1924

Accession Number: 2024.26.20.262.08

Physical Condition: Fair

Material Composition: Calfskin, glass beads, metal, feathers

Description: Calfskin leather strap with glass lane stitch beading, made in the style of Sioux Native Americans. One end of the strap is folded and stapled to be made shorter. The armband is fastened into a loop with calfskin cords. Beadwork design features a white background with red, black, and blue triangles and a red and blue border. There are metal tassels with dyed pink feathers on the end tied along the length of the cords. Based on the similarity of between the design of the armbands and the moccasins, it was likely acquired by Lester Leutwiler at the 1924 Boy Scout Jamboree in Denmark.

Measurement: 38 cm

Item 4: Arm Band 2, circa 1924

Accession Number: 2024.26.20.262.09

Physical Condition: Fair

Material Composition: Calfskin, glass beads, metal, feathers

Measurement: 38 cm

Item 5: Black Shirt, 1920s

Item 6: Brown Shirt with Beads, 1920s

Item 7: Beaded Loincloth

Item 8: Beaded Chap, Left Leg

Item 9: Beaded Chap, Right Leg

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[Box 4],
[Box 5],
[Box 6],
[Box 7],
[Box 8],
[Box 9],
[All]