Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Central Washington University Faculty Papers, Helen McCabe, 1956-1980
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Central Washington University
- Title
- Central Washington University Faculty Papers, Helen McCabe
- Dates
- 1956-1980 (inclusive)19561980
- Quantity
- 1.25 cubic feet
- Collection Number
- FP-0021
- Summary
- This collection comprises plaques, certificates, photographs, and documents commemorating the life and work of Helen McCabe, 1956-1976.
- Repository
-
Central Washington University, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Central Washington University
400 E University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926
Telephone: 509-963-1023
Fax: 509-963-3684
archive@cwu.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Open to the public for educational research
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Helen Margaret Wersen was born November 15, 1915, in Mount Vernon, Washington. After completing primary and high school, she attended Washington State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and a Bachelor of Education degree in 1938.
Wersen taught school in Toppenish, WA, where she first became interested in recreational aspects of physical education. In 1941, she married Burton W. McCabe. She had two children: John Scott, born in 1942, and Ross Burton, born in 1944. She continued to teach at various high schools in Hanford, WA; Portland, OR; and in California.
In 1956, McCabe joined the faculty of Central Washington College of Education and founded the school’s Leisure Services program. In addition to teaching, she earned a Master of Arts degree from Washington State University in 1959 and a doctorate from Indiana University in 1971. Her dissertation, titled “An Analysis of Outdoor Recreation Opportunities on State-Owned Lands in Washington,” was well received by Washington state agencies and was presented to the State Assembly.
While teaching, McCabe remained active in numerous state, regional, and national recreation organizations, serving as president of the Washington Recreation and Park Society and chairman of the Washington State Camping Advisory Committee. She was honored by the Ellensburg, WA, community on several occasions for her support of local recreation programs. The City of Ellensburg’s Park and Recreation Commission presented her with a plaque in 1972 for her work with them from 1964 to 1972. In 1973 the city council presented her with an appreciation certificate. She worked as well with the National Trails Council, the National Recreation and Park Association, and the Pacific Northwest Parks and Recreation Foundation. McCabe served as professor of recreation at Central Washington State College until 1976, when she passed away due to a terminal illness. After her death, the Washington State Parks Commission named a state park at the entrance to the Yakima River Canyon in McCabe’s honor.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This collection comprises plaques, certificates, photographs, and documents commemorating the life and work of Helen McCabe, 1956-1976. Plaques include those presented to McCabe by the Central Washington State College Recreation Club, the City of Ellensburg Park and Recreation Commission, and the Washington State Recreation Society. Materials also include correspondence and photos collected in 1980 for a proposed biography on Helen McCabe.
Historical BackgroundReturn to Top
Central Washington University began as the Washington State Normal School in 1891. In 1937, the school was rechristened the Central Washington College of Education. In 1961, the school became Central Washington State College and, finally, in 1977, Central Washington University.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Preferred Citation
[Name of document or photograph number]. FP-0021, Central Washington University Faculty Papers, Helen McCabe. Archives and Special Collections, Brooks Library, Central Washington University.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box | ||
| 1 | Plaque, Recreation Club to Helen McCabe | circa 1960s |
| 1 | Plaque, City of Ellensburg Park and Recreation Commission to McCabe | circa 1972 |
| 1 | Plaque, Washington State Recreation Society to McCabe | 1964 |
| 1 | Manuscript--"Adult and Family Recreation: Perspectives for Personal Leisure" | 1976 |
| 1 | Correspondence, McCabe biography project | 1980 |
| 1 | Newspaper clipping, “City Rec Program Lauded” | |
| 1 | Photographs (6), McCabe | circa 1970s |
| 1 | Membership certificate, Washington Recreation and Park Society | 1969 |
| 1 | Service certificate, Washington Recreation and Park Society | 1969 |
| 1 | Service certificate, City Council of the City of Ellensburg | 1973 |
| 1 | Membership certificate, National Registration Board of the National Recreation and Park Association | 1974 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Central Washington University--History
- Helen McCabe
- Recreation and state--Washington (State)
Corporate Names
- Central Washington University (creator)
Geographical Names
- Ellensburg (Wash.)
Finding aid prepared by Talea Anderson
2013
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
