John H. Burr Papers
Collection Scope and Contents
The John H. Burr papers contain newspaper articles, biographical manuscripts, a thesis, and photographs created and collected from John Burr's time at the Springfield Technical High School, Springfield College, and Howard University (ca. 1917-1960). The various photographs include a photograph of the Springfield Technical High School track and field team, a bunch of photographs of athletic teams at Springfield College, at the time known as the International YMCA College (of particular interest is a photo of him running in a meet at Pratt Field), and a couple of photographs from his time at Howard University. There is the Thesis he wrote for his master's degree at Springfield College, titled "A Survey of Physical Education in Negro Colleges and Universities." There are copies of materials such as Newspaper articles, pages from yearbooks, and pages from magazines or print documents, from different periods of his life gathered by Teresa Ann Burr and various family members, including Jay T. Harris. Finally, there is a manuscript titled "Family Study", by Margaret Burr that speaks of his life as well as other family members.
Dates
- Creation: ca. 1917-2022
Creator
- Burr, Teresa Ann (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Unrestricted
Conditions Governing Use
Rights status not fully evaluated.
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Biographical Note
Born June 1, 1898, John H. Burr was the oldest of twelve siblings. In his younger years, he went to Springfield Technical High School, now The Technical High School, where he was a track and field athlete, receiving numerous accolades, including the title “the fastest runner in the county.”
John H. Burr graduated from the International Young Men’s Christian Association College, now Springfield College, in 1923 (with praise) and later received his master’s degree in 1932 (with very high praise), both in Physical Education. As an undergrad, he was a member of the Alpha Kappa Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., which covered several colleges and universities in Western Massachusetts, including Springfield College. Burr was also a student-athlete, being a member of the New England Championship Soccer Team in 1921, the captain of the Track Team in 1922, and becoming a student instructor in soccer and track from 1920 to 1922.
After he graduated, he had an admirable career at Howard University from 1923 to 1958, where he was the Assistant Director of Physical Education (1923-1936), Director of Physical Education (1936-1947), and Professor of Physical Education (1947-1957). He also was the basketball, swimming, and track and field coach, “contributing to Howard’s dominance in Historically Black College and University championships during the 1950s”. With these roles, he was a significant contributor to the development of the school’s Physical Education programs.
Burr died on January 9, 1958, at the age of 59, in Freedmen’s Hospital in Washington, D.C., following a battle with an unspecified illness. In 1963, Howard University opened a multi-purpose arena named after Burr, affectionately called “The Burr.”
Written by Sabrina Moore, November 2022
Some of the works used:
• Alpha Phi Alpha Chapter History: The Alpha Kappa Chapter. The 32nd House of Alpha. http://www.alphakappa32.com/alpha-kappa-chapter-history.html (viewed December 7, 2022)
• Howard University Athletics Website: Burr Gymnasium. https://hubison.com/facilities/burr-gymnasium/1 (viewed December 7, 2022)
Extent
.5 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Metadata Rights Declarations
Abstract
Born June 1, 1898, John H. Burr went to Springfield Technical High School where he was a track and field athlete and received the title “the fastest runner in the county.” John H. Burr graduated from the International Young Men’s Christian Association College, now Springfield College, in 1923 and his master’s degree in 1932. He had an amazing professional career at Howard University (1923 to 1958). As well as reaching the position of Director of Physical Education, he acted as the basketball, swimming, and track and field coach, “contributing to Howard’s dominance in Historically Black College and University championships during the 1950s." In 1963, Howard University opened a multi-purpose arena named after Burr, affectionately called “The Burr.”
The collection contains newspaper articles, biographical manuscripts, a thesis, and photographs created and collected from John Burr's time at the Springfield Technical High School, Springfield College, and Howard University (ca. 1917-1960). There are photographs from various athletic teams that he played with or coached, his master's thesis titled "A Survey of Physical Education in Negro Colleges and Universities," and copies of Newspaper articles, yearbooks, and articles from magazines or print documents gathered by family members. Finally, there is a manuscript titled "Family Study", by Margaret Burr.
Custodial History
Materials donated by Teresa Burr on October 7, 2022. Part of the materials were research materials collected by her and part of the materials were collected and given to her by Jay T. Harris, grandson of John H. Burr. Materials collected and/created by Jay T. Harris included the history binder, the Springfield College Thesis, and the photographs.
Digitized Materials
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Processing Note
Most materials were left in the folders that they were originally housed in at the time of donation. The orginal order of the folders were maintained. The order of the folders and the arrangement of the photographs were determined by the processor of the collections.
Source
- Burr, Teresa Ann (Donor, Person)
- Harris, Jay T. (Collector, Person)
Subject
- Burr, John H. (Person)
- International Young Men's Christian Association College (Organization)
- Springfield College (Organization)
- Howard University (Organization)
- Springfield Technical High School (Organization)
- Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity (Organization)
Occupation
Topical
- Title
- John H. Burr Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Jeffrey Monseau & Sabrina Moore
- Date
- 2022-11
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Springfield College Archives and Special Collections Repository
Springfield College
Judd Gymnasia
263 Alden Street
Springfield Massachusetts 01109 U.S.A. US
413-748-3309
jmonseau@springfieldcollege.edu