The Saturday Evening Post
The grand legacy of The Saturday Evening Post has endured for nearly 300 years in part due to the creativity and innovation of its founders, publishers, editors and cover artists. The rich history of the Post has been thoughtfully reaching its readers since a time before America yet existed.
The story of The Saturday Evening Post begins with Benjamin Franklin’s Pennsylvania Gazette, first published in 1728, and became known as The Saturday Evening Post in 1821. Initially it was four-page newspaper with no illustrations that daringly tackled political controversy. In 1839, editor George Rex Graham dedicated the publication to morality and various commercial interests. By 1855 the Saturday Evening Post had an impressive circulation of 90,000 copies per year.
The modern era of The Saturday Evening Post began in 1897 when famed magazine publisher, Cyrus H. K. Curtis, purchased the magazine for one thousand dollars. Curtis, who also founded The Ladies Home Journal, was well aware of the distinguished legacy of the publication. The legendary George Horace Lorimer, who served as editor from 1899-1936, grew The Saturday Evening Post from 2,000 copies sold per year to over three million by the end of his tenure. Under his leadership, The Saturday Evening Post became the first magazine ever to reach 1,000,000 copies sold. It was Lorimer who conceived of changing the cover from appearing as page one of the magazine to a distinct cover featuring artwork or illustrations. His innovation fueled the popularity of magazine advertising as well as the success of The Saturday Evening Post.
Furthering the advent of the magazine cover, The Saturday Evening Post continued to distinguish itself through its cover artwork. These covers, the most famous of which were painted by Norman Rockwell, connected readers intimately with the magazine as a whole. Americans everywhere recognized the art of the Post and eagerly awaited the next issue because of it. On the editorial side, The Saturday Evening Post featured short stories and commentary by such famous authors as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Sinclair Lewis, Ring Lardner, and many others. Other notable cover illustrators include J.C. Leyendecker, N.C. Wyeth, Charles Livingston Bull, and John E. Sheridan.
In the 1950s, television’s popularity posed a major challenge to the magazine, and by 1969 The Saturday Evening Post briefly ceased circulation. In 1971, however, it found a new owner and was re-introduced with a focus on health and medical breakthroughs by the Benjamin Franklin Literary & Medical Society.
Having been at the side of Americans in various forms since 1728, through the events and cultural shifts that have shaped the country’s character, The Saturday Evening Post remains America’s Magazine.
Saturday Evening Post Society
formerly, the Benjamin Franklin Literary & Medical Society
The Saturday Evening Post Society, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, was established in 1976 in an effort to honor, preserve and share its historical legacy of promoting the arts and literature, while inspiring and empowering individuals to embrace a proactive approach to physical, mental, and spiritual health.
The Society supports The Saturday Evening Post magazine, U.S. Kids family of magazines, including Turtle, Humpty Dumpty, Jack & Jill and The Children’s Better Health Institute.
U.S. Kids, Children’s Better Health Institute
The Children’s Better Health Institute, a division of the Saturday Evening Post Society, was established in 1976 with the mission of promoting the healthy physical, educational, creative, social, and emotional growth of children in a format that is engaging, stimulating, and entertaining at each stage of development. Our publications are designed to educate and entertain readers and to promote good health and fitness among all children.
To learn more about the U.S. Kids family of magazines, including our philosophy and projects, go to uskidsmags.com/about.
CBHI Forever Fit Day Camp
Kids at the CBHI Forever Fit! Daycamp.
In 2011, the Children’s Better Health Institute spearheaded a new day camp. The Forever-Fit Summer Camp embraces a holistic approach to weight loss, bringing dietitians, psychologists, and exercise physiologists to provide guidance and support to our campers and their families. The high counselor-to-camper ratio provides a unique opportunity for one-on-one individualized programs to meet each child’s unique challenges. The multi-faceted program promotes physical activity and nutritional know-how for youth ages 8-12, coping with overweight and obesity.
For more information on the camp please visit us at ForeverFitCamp.org.
