Thomas and Nina Hatfield

Dublin Core

Title

Thomas and Nina Hatfield

Subject

Thomas Hatfield, Nina Hatfield

Description

Thomas and Nina Hatfield are Hoboken Public Library's "first family." Thomas was the first librarian at HPL, a position that his wife Nina took over upon his death. Together they are responsible for a lot of early library initiatives and policy, and their influence is felt at the library to this day.

Creator

Thomas Hatfield, Nina Hatfield, others

Publisher

Hoboken Public Library

Collection Items

Nina Hatfield Obituary, 1965
Nina Hatfield's obituary. She outlived her husband by 40 years, dying in April 1965 at the age of 95.

Thomas Hatfield Obituaries, 1925
Thomas Hatfield died on October 8, 1925, at the Hatfield home at 606 River Street. Nina took over as head librarian after his death, a position she held for many years before her retirement and own death at the age of 95.

Nina Hatfield's Retirement Announcement
Nina Hatfield's retirement announcement, which highlights many of her accomplishments, including founding children's storytime and creating the history collection, which her story is now a part of.

Poetry by Nina Hatfield
Nina Hatfield was an accomplished poet and potter. These are two samples of her poetry clipped from newspaper articles, one of which is her retirement announcement (which can also be seen in full in this exhibition).

Letter from Thomas Hatfield Regarding the Opening of the Library, 1890
Mr. Hatfield's letter inviting the Trustees to the opening of the library in its original location, the Second National Bank Building on the corner of Hudson Place. The opening ceremony took place at City Hall in the Council Chamber on Wednesday,…

Thomas Hatfield Relief Sculpture, 1930s
A bas-relief wooden sculpture of Thomas Hatfield carved by artist Enid Bell as part of the Federal Art Project of the Works Progress Administration. Although the library houses this object, it remains the property of the United States government.

Thomas Hatfield and Library Staff, Director's Office
The Inter-Church Movement Women's Group meeting with library staff and Thomas Hatfield, head librarian, in the Director's Office. Photo likely from between 1915-1920.

Photo of Thomas Hatfield by Dorothea Lange
A photograph of an 8"x10" photograph by Hoboken native Dorothea Lange, captioned "City Librarian Thomas F. Hatfield, 1890-1924." The original photograph's location is currently unknown, hence this copy.
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