200@200 : January - Iconic Fort Wayne
Date:
1910s
Title:
Margaret Hamilton Print
Description:
The Extraordinary Hamilton Women

The name Hamilton is a name that serves as the foundation of the Fort Wayne we know today. Irish immigrant Allen Hamilton, noted as a founding father of the city, served for many years in local government before being appointed to the U.S. Commission to negotiate treaties with the Miami in 1834. From there he went on to serve on the Commission to Extinguish Indian Titles in Indiana and was appointed the U.S. Indian agent to the Miami from 1841 to 1845.

It was the Hamilton women, however, who extended the family name into nearly every area of Fort Wayne's heritage. Emerine, Allen's wife and matriarch of the family, helped found the Allen County Public Library and was an active suffragette and a friend of Susan B. Anthony. Their granddaughters, the activist Hamilton sisters, excelled in many fields while spurring on the early feminist movement alongside others such as Jane Addams.

Alice Hamilton, a Fort Wayne native, became the first woman faculty member at Harvard, a forerunner in the fields of toxicology and industrial health, and an influential contributor to Jane Addams's Hull House movement. Edith Hamilton became an expert in the field of Greek mythology, writing many essential works still considered classics today. Norah Hamilton taught fine art painting and other artistic disciplines at Hull House for many years. Margaret provided an art studio and funds for what would become the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. Two cousins of the Hamilton sisters, Jessie and Agnes, were accomplished artists themselves and helped build the art community in Fort Wayne into what it is today.

The featured works represent only a portion of the History Center's Hamilton art collection. Included here are a pencil sketch and a watercolor by Agnes Hamilton, an oil painting and a block print by Jessie Hamilton and a block print done by Margaret Hamilton. Though the subject of Margaret's print isn't known it bears a striking resemblance to the older Hamilton women and may be her mother Gertrude.
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Margaret Hamilton, block printMargaret Hamilton, block print
Anges Hamilton, pencil sketchAnges Hamilton, pencil sketch
Jessi Hamilton, oil paintingJessi Hamilton, oil painting
Jessie Hamilton, block printJessie Hamilton, block print
Dr. Alice HamiltonDr. Alice Hamilton
Angnes Hamilton, watercolor of Taber Hamilton Jr.Angnes Hamilton, watercolor of Taber Hamilton Jr.