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

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Box 6

Item 1: Face Powder Container

Accession number: 2024.26.20.262.04

Condition: Good

Material: Tin

Description: A metallic face powder container with green and orange coloration. Floral imagery adorns the lid and the body. The item includes the text (in order from top of the lid to the bottom): "A Stein's Make-Up Product", "Stein's Face Powder", "Manufactured By The Stein Cosmetic CO. New York", "For The Stage - For the Boudoir", and "To Open Turn". There is a key on the bottom with various skin colors. The item is marked with the number 15, indicating that it is a powder which replicates an "Indian" skin type.

Measurement: 10.5cm

Item 2: Beads and Sewing Kit

Accession Number: 2024.26.20.262.05

Condition: Fair

Material: Paper, glass beads, string, unidentified feathers, beading hook, needle, unidentified blunt object

Description: A sewing kit containing sewing equipment and beads. The kit bag includes calligraphic text (in order from top to bottom) "Aux Galeries Lafayette Paris", "Maison Vendant Le Meilleur Marche De Tout", "Succursales | Nice| Lyon | Londres", and " Comptoir de lacet et bouton" on the front label. The text "Aux Galeries Lafayette Paris" is repeated, also in calligraphic text, around the borders of the kit. Stylistic initials of "GL" are also included on the flap, which has a hole with string in it. Items in the interior of the kit include loose scraps of paper, beads on string, a small needle, an approx. 04 mm beading hook, two unidentified partial feathers, and an unidentified object with two blunt, angled ends

Measurement: 17cm

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[Box 2],
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[Box 4],
[Box 5],
[Box 6],
[Box 7],
[Box 8],
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