This famous article about Jacob’s Pillow appeared in Life Magazine in the 1930’s and includes a well known photo of Joe teaching two dancers with the Headresses in the Tea Garden at Jacob’s Pillow.
Joe Pilates Becket Studio
This article is special because it shows what is currently the only known photo of Joe’s Berkshire studio in the process of being built. Here we see Joe at work on his property in the Berkshire Mountains of Becket, Massachusetts, just around the bend from Jacob’s Pillow.
The Return to Life Club
A number of articles appeared over time in a newspaper local to the Berkshires of Massachusetts, about The Return to Life Club, which was a mat class for men that met above the barber shop in the town of Lee, Massachusetts. Thank you to Cathy Strack for sleuthing out the history behind The Return to Life Club! (Click images to enlarge.)
Becket Break-ins
Joe’s main residence was in NYC, and he would stay at his country house in Becket on the weekends and in the summers. Country homes are always susceptible to break-ins and Joe’s was no exception. These articles tell the story of the time Joe’s house was burglarized and a gun and alcohol were stolen. The fact that Joe owned a gun gives more credibility to the chances of the story being true about Joe going to threaten Bob Seed with a gun when he found out he was poaching clients. But that whole story is one that time has yet to fully tell! (Click image to enlarge.)
Joe Pilates- Did he have a Will?
A seemingly insignificant legal announcement in a local paper in Lee, Massachusetts after Joe passed away- however this announcement proves that Joe did in fact have a will- which contradicts what was previously thought to be true. This mistruth was first spoken during the trademark trial by Joe’s own lawyer, who actually took part in filing the will in the first place. Unfortunately, because of this, the story of Joe not having a will was passed down over the years until now. Special thanks to Cathy Strack for first discovering that Joe did indeed have a will. (Click images to enlarge.)
Joe Pilates, 85, Still Active as Physical Culturist
This article appeared in a local newspaper in Lee, Massachusetts, and told about Joe’s new studio at Henri Bendels Department Store in NYC. It’s one of the few articles to discuss that studio that I have found so far.
Joseph J. Pilates Dies; Becket Physical Culturist
A unique obituary containing interesting details written about Joseph Pilates that appeared in a newspaper in the Berkshires.
Jacob’s Pillow Program for Saturday Listed
A brief article about Jacob’s Pillow programming, which includes body conditioning classes with Joseph Pilates.
