Unrestricted access. Materials are stored offsite; please allow three days for retrieval before use.
Summary
The collection documents Penn State assistant art education professor Mary Godfrey's career. Materials include artwork, classroom blueprints, course materials, photographs, and drawing manuals.
In the University Archives, University Libraries, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pa. (#MGN 715).
Biographical or Historical Sketch
Mary E. Godfrey received a bachelor of fine arts degree from the Pratt Institute and a master's degree from Columbia University. She was a high school teacher and supervisor of art in Virginia and then assistant state supervisor of art education for the Virginia Department of Education (1947-1957). In 1957, Dr. Viktor Lowenfeld, head of the newly formed Department of Art Education, College of Education, at The Pennsylvania State University, hired Godfrey as assistant professor of art education. At that time, she was the first full-time African American faculty member hired at Penn State. She served for 22 years, retiring 1 July 1979, teaching courses in elementary and secondary art education, supervision, the history of art education, and introduction to crafts. She researched the design of art classrooms, studying Pennsylvania art education laboratories, art rooms, and facilities for junior high schools. Her artwork was exhibited in both Pennsylvania and Virginia. Godfrey died 30 April 2007 at the age of 93.
