prev iew “I’ve stayed in the picture business because of its beauty. The best thing in life is to be with someone you love or admire. The next best thing is a reminder and the best reminder is a photograph.” -Joseph W. Hardin, Interview in Tulsa Daily World, 1964 Spirit of St. Louis, Joseph W. Hardin
Joseph W. Hardin:
A Pioneer of Photography
by Kelsey Karper Just two blocks off of Main Street in downtown Henryetta sits a small yellow building with white trim. It has all the charm of an early 20th century home and it is clear that the building has been thoughtfully preserved. It has been a cornerstone of the community in Henryetta since it was built it 1905 as the first schoolhouse. Since then, the building has been a public library, a church, Boy Scout headquarters, a dentist’s office and a courtroom – among other things. After a three year restoration of the structure, completed in 1985, it finally became what it is now: the Henryetta Territorial Museum. Inside, the history of the building is told between the creaks and moans of the old wooden floors. The museum’s permanent collection is filled with objects that tell the story of the community they are a part of. Among these objects is a collection of photographs that I would describe as the most stunning record of early Oklahoma history. Joseph W. Hardin spent the early years of his life traveling as a photographer and accountant. His involvement in politics took him to Democratic National Conventions, as well as Presidential Inaugurations. His standing invitation to attend the Inaugurations took him to every one from 1900-1964. Hardin finally settled in Henryetta in 1919 and immediately opened the photography studio where he would spend a great deal of his life. By the time he died in 1968 at the age of 97, Hardin had made over one million photographs. They can be found in collections such as the University of Florida and the University of Oklahoma, but much of what remains of his life’s work is housed in the Henryetta Territorial Museum. Hardin’s photographs ranged in subject from coal miners to flamenco dancers, street scenes to beaches. His portraits are particularly striking. He believed in the use of only natural light for his photos and had a skylight in his studio by which to photograph his subjects. One portrait shown in the exhibition is of an Indian woman, recorded to be 123 years old. Her face is softly lit, revealing her weathered and weary expression. Each photo captures subtle and delicate details, a characteristic of his process. Hardin used the wet-plate process to make glass negatives and tintypes, a process known for its ability to render detail. 12
Apart from his beautifully executed portraits, Hardin also developed a technique for creating panoramic film negatives, ten feet in length, often representing more than 360° of scenery. According to the National Archives, these are completely unique in photography. One such photograph is a peaceful representation of the beach along the Atlantic Ocean, taken in Jacksonville, Florida in 1927. On each end of the photograph, the boardwalk can be seen, lined with shops and bath houses. The majority of the scene is a deserted beach, only a young family standing directly in the center, looking out upon the ocean. Another panorama depicts a bustling downtown, presumed to be a young Henryetta, with men in crisp white shirts and ties standing among the model-T cars that line the streets. Joseph Hardin was truly a pioneer in photography and a methodical recorder of significant historical and industrial events in the early days of Oklahoma statehood. His work can be appreciated by the art lover and historian alike. The Henryetta Territorial Museum is located at 410 West Moore in Henryetta. The museum is open 10-3, Wednesday through Saturday. The Hardin exhibit will be on display through the end of the year. For more information, you can visit www.territorialmuseum.org.
The Henryetta Territorial Museum, 410 West Moore, Henryetta, OK