Sports & Leisure

Tennis Racket

The nation's passion for sports is obvious every day—at NASCAR races, kiddie soccer matches, and countless other contests. From a handball used by Abraham Lincoln to Chris Evert's tennis racket to a baseball signed by Jackie Robinson, the roughly 6.000 objects in the Museum's sports collections bear witness to the vital place of sports in the nation's history. Paper sports objects in the collections, such as souvenir programs and baseball cards, number in the hundreds of thousands.

Leisure collections encompass a different range of objects, including camping vehicles and gear, video games, playing cards, sportswear, exercise equipment, and Currier and Ives prints of fishing, hunting, and horseracing. Some 4,000 toys dating from the colonial period to the present are a special strength of the collections.

Name: Whitehead, Cindy

Cara-Beth Burnside pro model skate shoes

Cara-Beth Burnside pro model skate shoes worn by pro skater Cindy Whitehead. The shoes are white canvas with a white suede Vans side swoosh and white laces.
Description (Brief)
Cara-Beth Burnside pro model skate shoes worn by pro skater Cindy Whitehead. The shoes are white canvas with a white suede Vans side swoosh and white laces. There is a light blue sunburst with "CB" embroidered on the heel and Cara-Beth's signature is printed on the inside of the shoe. They have a brown gum sole with blue and white edges as Burnside preferred a gum sole shoe and wanted it to be a feature on her pro models. These Vans are the first pro model shoe designed by a woman skateboarder and to be sold exclusively to girls.
Cara-Beth Burnside was a pro skater in the 1980s often competing against men because there were no contests for women at the time. She was the first woman to be featured on the cover of Thrasher Magazine and used her influence to convince the people at Vans that a girl skate shoe would sell. Skeptical at first, the Cara-Beth model became one of the most popular model shoes in 1999.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1999
designer
Burnside, Cara-Beth
user
Whitehead, Cindy
maker
Vans, Inc.
ID Number
2022.0067.01
accession number
2022.0067
catalog number
2022.0067.01

Prototype skateboard created by Girl is not A 4 Letter Word, 2015

This is the second iteration of the prototype skateboard designed by professional skater Cindy Whitehead and manufactured by Dwindle Distribution in 2015.
Description (Brief)
This is the second iteration of the prototype skateboard designed by professional skater Cindy Whitehead and manufactured by Dwindle Distribution in 2015. Whitehead used her skate background to create the “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” brand which includes Cindy’s original art work. Whitehead began skateboarding at age 15 and had turned pro by the time she was 17, something girls were not doing in the mid-1970s. She became one of the only girls skating both pool and half pipe and is the only girl ever to be featured in a two page article with a centerfold in a skateboarding magazine. Whitehead retired from skateboarding at 22 but still skates and has remained in the sports arena as a sport stylist, a job title she also created. Whitehead is especially supportive of young female skaters through her “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” skate team and her products which are geared towards women and girls. Whitehead’s signature phrase printed in gold on many of the “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” products personifies her independent spirit, "Live life balls to the wall. Do epic shit. Take every dare that comes your way. You can sleep when you’re dead."
Location
Currently on loan
date made
2015
user
Whitehead, Cindy
distributor
Dwindle Inc. dba Dwindle Distribution
maker
Dwindle Inc. dba Dwindle Distribution
ID Number
2019.0092.01
accession number
2019.0092
catalog number
2019.0092.01

Original art work by Cindy Whitehead

This black ink drawing on white Bristol board was drawn by Cindy Whitehead while designing her "Girl Is Not a 4 Letter Word" skateboard. The drawings were an important part of the creative process and demonstrate Whitehead’s creative ability as well as her distinctive style.
Description (Brief)
This black ink drawing on white Bristol board was drawn by Cindy Whitehead while designing her "Girl Is Not a 4 Letter Word" skateboard. The drawings were an important part of the creative process and demonstrate Whitehead’s creative ability as well as her distinctive style. Whitehead used her skate background to create the “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” brand which includes Cindy’s original art work. Whitehead began skateboarding at age 15 and had turned pro by the time she was 17, something girls were not doing in the mid-1970s. She became one of the only girls skating both pool and half pipe and is the only girl ever to be featured in a two page article with a centerfold in a skateboarding magazine. Whitehead retired from skateboarding at 22 but still skates and has remained in the sports arena as a sport stylist, a job title she also created. Whitehead is especially supportive of young female skaters through her “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” skate team and her products which are geared towards women and girls. Whitehead’s signature phrase printed in gold on many of the “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” products personifies her independent spirit, "Live life balls to the wall. Do epic shit. Take every dare that comes your way. You can sleep when you’re dead."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2013
maker
Whitehead, Cindy
ID Number
2013.0255.08
accession number
2013.0255
catalog number
2013.0255.08

Original art work by Cindy Whitehead

This water color painting on white Bristol board was drawn by Cindy Whitehead while designing her "Girl Is Not a 4 Letter Word" skateboard. The drawings were an important part of the creative process and demonstrate Whitehead’s creative ability as well as her distinctive style.
Description (Brief)
This water color painting on white Bristol board was drawn by Cindy Whitehead while designing her "Girl Is Not a 4 Letter Word" skateboard. The drawings were an important part of the creative process and demonstrate Whitehead’s creative ability as well as her distinctive style. Whitehead used her skate background to create the “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” brand which includes Cindy’s original art work. Whitehead began skateboarding at age 15 and had turned pro by the time she was 17, something girls were not doing in the mid-1970s. She became one of the only girls skating both pool and half pipe and is the only girl ever to be featured in a two page article with a centerfold in a skateboarding magazine. Whitehead retired from skateboarding at 22 but still skates and has remained in the sports arena as a sport stylist, a job title she also created. Whitehead is especially supportive of young female skaters through her “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” skate team and her products which are geared towards women and girls. Whitehead’s signature phrase printed in gold on many of the “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” products personifies her independent spirit, "Live life balls to the wall. Do epic shit. Take every dare that comes your way. You can sleep when you’re dead."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2013
maker
Whitehead, Cindy
ID Number
2013.0255.03
accession number
2013.0255
catalog number
2013.0255.03

Original art work by Cindy Whitehead

This water color painting on white Bristol board was drawn by Cindy Whitehead while designing her "Girl Is Not a 4 Letter Word" skateboard. The drawings were an important part of the creative process and demonstrate Whitehead’s creative ability as well as her distinctive style.
Description (Brief)
This water color painting on white Bristol board was drawn by Cindy Whitehead while designing her "Girl Is Not a 4 Letter Word" skateboard. The drawings were an important part of the creative process and demonstrate Whitehead’s creative ability as well as her distinctive style. Whitehead used her skate background to create the “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” brand which includes Cindy’s original art work. Whitehead began skateboarding at age 15 and had turned pro by the time she was 17, something girls were not doing in the mid-1970s. She became one of the only girls skating both pool and half pipe and is the only girl ever to be featured in a two page article with a centerfold in a skateboarding magazine. Whitehead retired from skateboarding at 22 but still skates and has remained in the sports arena as a sport stylist, a job title she also created. Whitehead is especially supportive of young female skaters through her “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” skate team and her products which are geared towards women and girls. Whitehead’s signature phrase printed in gold on many of the “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” products personifies her independent spirit, "Live life balls to the wall. Do epic shit. Take every dare that comes your way. You can sleep when you’re dead."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2013
maker
Whitehead, Cindy
ID Number
2013.0255.02
accession number
2013.0255
catalog number
2013.0255.02

Original art work by Cindy Whitehead

This water color painting on white Bristol board was drawn by Cindy Whitehead while designing her "Girl Is Not a 4 Letter Word" skateboard. The drawings were an important part of the creative process and demonstrate Whitehead’s creative ability as well as her distinctive style.
Description (Brief)
This water color painting on white Bristol board was drawn by Cindy Whitehead while designing her "Girl Is Not a 4 Letter Word" skateboard. The drawings were an important part of the creative process and demonstrate Whitehead’s creative ability as well as her distinctive style. Whitehead used her skate background to create the “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” brand which includes Cindy’s original art work. Whitehead began skateboarding at age 15 and had turned pro by the time she was 17, something girls were not doing in the mid-1970s. She became one of the only girls skating both pool and half pipe and is the only girl ever to be featured in a two page article with a centerfold in a skateboarding magazine. Whitehead retired from skateboarding at 22 but still skates and has remained in the sports arena as a sport stylist, a job title she also created. Whitehead is especially supportive of young female skaters through her “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” skate team and her products which are geared towards women and girls. Whitehead’s signature phrase printed in gold on many of the “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” products personifies her independent spirit, "Live life balls to the wall. Do epic shit. Take every dare that comes your way. You can sleep when you’re dead."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2013
maker
Whitehead, Cindy
ID Number
2013.0255.04
accession number
2013.0255
catalog number
2013.0255.04

Original art work by Cindy Whitehead

This black ink drawing on white Bristol board was drawn by Cindy Whitehead while designing her "Girl Is Not a 4 Letter Word" skateboard. The drawings were an important part of the creative process and demonstrate Whitehead’s creative ability as well as her distinctive style.
Description (Brief)
This black ink drawing on white Bristol board was drawn by Cindy Whitehead while designing her "Girl Is Not a 4 Letter Word" skateboard. The drawings were an important part of the creative process and demonstrate Whitehead’s creative ability as well as her distinctive style. Whitehead used her skate background to create the “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” brand which includes Cindy’s original art work. Whitehead began skateboarding at age 15 and had turned pro by the time she was 17, something girls were not doing in the mid-1970s. She became one of the only girls skating both pool and half pipe and is the only girl ever to be featured in a two page article with a centerfold in a skateboarding magazine. Whitehead retired from skateboarding at 22 but still skates and has remained in the sports arena as a sport stylist, a job title she also created. Whitehead is especially supportive of young female skaters through her “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” skate team and her products which are geared towards women and girls. Whitehead’s signature phrase printed in gold on many of the “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” products personifies her independent spirit, "Live life balls to the wall. Do epic shit. Take every dare that comes your way. You can sleep when you’re dead."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2013
maker
Whitehead, Cindy
ID Number
2013.0255.05
accession number
2013.0255
catalog number
2013.0255.05

Original art work by Cindy Whitehead

This black ink drawing on white Bristol board was drawn by Cindy Whitehead while designing her "Girl Is Not a 4 Letter Word" skateboard. The drawings were an important part of the creative process and demonstrate Whitehead’s creative ability as well as her distinctive style.
Description (Brief)
This black ink drawing on white Bristol board was drawn by Cindy Whitehead while designing her "Girl Is Not a 4 Letter Word" skateboard. The drawings were an important part of the creative process and demonstrate Whitehead’s creative ability as well as her distinctive style. Whitehead used her skate background to create the “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” brand which includes Cindy’s original art work. Whitehead began skateboarding at age 15 and had turned pro by the time she was 17, something girls were not doing in the mid-1970s. She became one of the only girls skating both pool and half pipe and is the only girl ever to be featured in a two page article with a centerfold in a skateboarding magazine. Whitehead retired from skateboarding at 22 but still skates and has remained in the sports arena as a sport stylist, a job title she also created. Whitehead is especially supportive of young female skaters through her “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” skate team and her products which are geared towards women and girls. Whitehead’s signature phrase printed in gold on many of the “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” products personifies her independent spirit, "Live life balls to the wall. Do epic shit. Take every dare that comes your way. You can sleep when you’re dead."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2013
maker
Whitehead, Cindy
ID Number
2013.0255.06
accession number
2013.0255
catalog number
2013.0255.06

Headphones worn by pro skateboarder, Cindy Whitehead in the late 1970s

Large gray plastic radio headphones used by professional skater Cindy Whitehead while practicing and during competitions in the late 1970s. Whitehead began skateboarding at age 15 and had turned pro by the time she was 17, something girls were not doing in the mid-1970s.
Description (Brief)
Large gray plastic radio headphones used by professional skater Cindy Whitehead while practicing and during competitions in the late 1970s. Whitehead began skateboarding at age 15 and had turned pro by the time she was 17, something girls were not doing in the mid-1970s. She became one of the only girls skating both pool and half pipe and is the only girl ever to be featured in a two page article with a centerfold in a skateboarding magazine. Whitehead retired from skateboarding at 22 but still skates and has remained in the sports arena as a sport stylist, a job title she also created. Whitehead is especially supportive of young female skaters through her “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” skate team and her products which are geared towards women and girls. Whitehead’s signature phrase printed in gold on many of the “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” products personifies her independent spirit, "Live life balls to the wall. Do epic shit. Take every dare that comes your way. You can sleep when you’re dead."
Location
Currently not on view
User
Whitehead, Cindy
maker
Realistic
ID Number
2019.0095.01
accession number
2019.0095
catalog number
2019.0095.01

It's Not About Pretty - A Book About Radical Skater Girls

"It's Not About Pretty - A Book About Radical Skater Girls" written by Cindy Whitehead and Ian Logan. This is a 138 page photographic essay on skater girls.
Description (Brief)
"It's Not About Pretty - A Book About Radical Skater Girls" written by Cindy Whitehead and Ian Logan. This is a 138 page photographic essay on skater girls. Whitehead began skateboarding at age 15 and had turned pro by the time she was 17, something girls were not doing in the mid-1970s. She became one of the only girls skating both pool and half pipe and is the only girl ever to be featured in a two page article with a photo spread in the center of a skateboarding magazine. Whitehead retired from skateboarding at 22 but still skates and has remained in the sports arena as a sport stylist, an occupation she created.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2017
2016
maker
Whitehead, Cindy
Logan, Ian
ID Number
2017.0044.01
accession number
2017.0044
catalog number
2017.0044.01

Original art work by Cindy Whitehead

This water color painting on white Bristol board was drawn by Cindy Whitehead while designing her "Girl Is Not a 4 Letter Word" skateboard. The drawings were an important part of the creative process and demonstrate Whitehead’s creative ability as well as her distinctive style.
Description (Brief)
This water color painting on white Bristol board was drawn by Cindy Whitehead while designing her "Girl Is Not a 4 Letter Word" skateboard. The drawings were an important part of the creative process and demonstrate Whitehead’s creative ability as well as her distinctive style. Whitehead used her skate background to create the “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” brand which includes Cindy’s original art work. Whitehead began skateboarding at age 15 and had turned pro by the time she was 17, something girls were not doing in the mid-1970s. She became one of the only girls skating both pool and half pipe and is the only girl ever to be featured in a two page article with a centerfold in a skateboarding magazine. Whitehead retired from skateboarding at 22 but still skates and has remained in the sports arena as a sport stylist, a job title she also created. Whitehead is especially supportive of young female skaters through her “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” skate team and her products which are geared towards women and girls. Whitehead’s signature phrase printed in gold on many of the “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” products personifies her independent spirit, "Live life balls to the wall. Do epic shit. Take every dare that comes your way. You can sleep when you’re dead."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2013
maker
Whitehead, Cindy
ID Number
2013.0255.07
accession number
2013.0255
catalog number
2013.0255.07

Girl Is Not a 4 Letter Word skateboard created by Cindy Whitehead

Prototype skateboard designed by professional skater Cindy Whitehead and manufactured by Dwindle Distribution. Whitehead used her skate background to create the “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” brand which includes Cindy’s original art work.
Description (Brief)
Prototype skateboard designed by professional skater Cindy Whitehead and manufactured by Dwindle Distribution. Whitehead used her skate background to create the “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” brand which includes Cindy’s original art work. Whitehead began skateboarding at age 15 and had turned pro by the time she was 17, something girls were not doing in the mid-1970s. She became one of the only girls skating both pool and half pipe and is the only girl ever to be featured in a two page article with a centerfold in a skateboarding magazine. Whitehead retired from skateboarding at 22 but still skates and has remained in the sports arena as a sport stylist, a job title she also created. Whitehead is especially supportive of young female skaters through her “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” skate team and her products which are geared towards women and girls. Whitehead’s signature phrase printed in gold on many of the “Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word” products personifies her independent spirit, "Live life balls to the wall. Do epic shit. Take every dare that comes your way. You can sleep when you’re dead."
date made
2012
2013
designer
Whitehead, Cindy
maker
Dwindle Inc. dba Dwindle Distribution
ID Number
2013.0255.01
accession number
2013.0255
catalog number
2013.0255.01

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