PHOTOGRAPHS
Rinehart, Frank A.
U.S. (1861 - 1928)
Hattie Tom, Apache
1899
Platinum print
8 15/16 x 7 1/16 in. (22.7 x 17.9 cm) image size; 16 x 14 in. (40.6 x 35.6 cm) mount board size; 9 1/4 x 7 5/16 in. (23.5 x 18.6 cm) sheet size
Joseph and Elaine Monsen Photography Collection, gift of Joseph and Elaine Monsen and The Boeing Company
FA 97.272

Hattie Tom (dates unknown) was a member of the Chiricahua band of the Apache people of southwestern New Mexico, southeastern Arizona, and northern Mexico. This photo was taken at the Indian Congress of 1898 in Omaha, Nebraska, an event that was detailed in a letter by W.A. Jones, the Commissioner of Indian Affairs: “It is the purpose of the promoters of the proposed encampment or congress to make an extensive exhibit illustrative of the mode of life, native industries, and ethnic traits of as many of the aboriginal American tribes as possible. To that end it is proposed to bring together selected families or groups from all the principal tribes and camp them in tepees, wigwams, hogans etc., on the exposition grounds, and permit them to conduct their domestic affairs as they do at home, and make and sell their wares for their own profit.” Hattie Tom was one of five hundred people, representing thirty-five tribes, to attend the Congress. -- Label copy for Somebody, April 1 to August 3, 2008.

Hattie Tom was one of over 500 Indian delegates from 35 tribes who participated in the Indian Congress of 1898, held at the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition in Omaha, Nebraska. The official photographer of the Expo, Frank A. Rinehart and his assistant, Adolph Muhr, were hired to photograph the Native American delegates, who made up the largest gathering of Native Americans from unrelated tribes to date. -- Label copy for Inside-Out: Portrait Photographs from the Permanent Collection, July 2 to November 29, 2009.