Gymnastics, men's
- Daily chores
- Gymnasiums are built
- Competitions
- Decline
Gymnasiums are Built
Mount Allison’s first gymnasium for male students was built on the grounds of the Male Academy in 1861. At the University, male students did not have a gymnasium until 1876, 21 years after the construction of the first Ladies' College gymnasium. The University gymnasium responded to a need among the students to build strong and muscular bodies. It is not known what exercises the students did, however, or what apparatus they used.
Interest in gymnastics was rejuvenated following the construction of a new University gymnasium in 1887 and the reconstruction of the Academy gymnasium in 1892. The University gymnasium was hailed by The Argosy (October 1888) as being "one of the best in the provinces."
Instruction in gymnastics was provided at both institutions. At the University, the instructor was a student who had won the gold medal at the annual gymnastics exhibition in the previous year. At the Academy, William W. Costin, who graduated from the University in 1895, was the Academy’s first gymnastics instructor between 1892 and 1895.
Mount Allison University gymnastics team, 1890
Mount Allison Male Academy gymnastics team, ca. 1894
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Sackville, New Brunswick
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This project was funded by the Marjorie Young Bell Endowment Fund