George Hoose's Indian head paintings are thought to be modeled on in-law Samuel Caesar, who claimed to be of native descent and wore a headdress.
DALTON, Mass. — A painting by George Hoose was donated to the Fitch-Hoose House museum last week.
George Hoose died in 1977 at age 80. He was a prolific painter and was known for the "Indian Head" painting on Gulf Road that has long since been painted over and weathered away.
The donated painting is believed similar to that lost artwork.
"[The painting] is just one more wonderful piece that helps us be more connected with the Hoose family. It's very exciting," Historical Commission co-Chair Debora Kovacs said.
The painting of an "Indian Head" was donated by Robert and Kathleen Walsh after hearing of the art month the museum is having through September.
Next year, the Historical Commission wants to host a bigger exhibit so it can display more of Hoose's paintings but needs to find a safe way to do it.
This donated painting may be based on one of the Hoose relatives — Samuel Caesar, who married Algernon Hoose's sister Hannah, Kovacs said.
It is believed that Caesar was half Native American and half African American, she said. He can be seen wearing a headdress in some pictures.
According to the Walshes, George Hoose was a lifelong friend of Robert's grandfather Harold Oles Sr.
Hoose and Oles were boyhood friends and shared similar interests in Native Americans and how it all connected with slavery and the Underground Railroad, Kathy Walsh said.
"I'm really not too sure but I understand that it is almost an exact copy of the Indian that was painted on the rock on Gulf Road," she said. "George Hoose must have gotten his inspiration for this painting from the rock because they used to hike up there all the time."
Hoose and Oles enlisted together in World War I and were separated when called up for active duty.
Oles was sent to France, where he was assigned to the artillery, and Hoose made it as far as Connecticut but was never sent overseas because the armistice was signed.
Upon Oles' return, the duo's friendship was back on track, Walsh said. Hoose gifted the painting to Oles around 1976 and it hung in his house on Park Circle Drive in Dalton until his death on June 7, 1985.
The painting was then moved to the basement by his son Harold Oles Jr. (Robert Walsh's uncle), where it stayed until the son's death on Feb. 9, 2007.
While clearing out the basement, somebody in the family discovered the painting and intended on throwing it away but was saved by the Walshes and it hung in their home for close to 10 years.
Since the museum was renovated in 2014, the commission has brought and continues to bring to life its scattered history, Kovacs said during a previous interview, and the museum has reunited members of the Hoose family with their ancestry.
The Historical Commission hopes that as more light is shined on the history of the Hoose family more residents will step forward with stories or items to share with the museum, Commissioner Thomas Snyder said.
More information on the museum here. Check out our video on the Fitch-Hoose House here.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Water Commissioner Incumbent Talks Priorities If Re-elected
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — Michael Kubicki says his priorities if re-elected to the Board of Water Commissioners are to ensure the fire and life safety of the Fire District and make sure the district goes in the direction the members want.
Kubicki has been serving on the board since 2009 and is seeking a sixth three-year term. He is being challenged by former firefighter Ken Sagendorf in the May 14 election.
He said he has seen many changes and tribulations, including the hiring of a new fire chief, the Fire District assuming responsibility for the ambulance, and navigating a pandemic.
He emphasized the need to ensure the district is funded properly with a little bit of excess so it can rebuild its free cash and set aside money for future needs or capital items, such as vehicle replacements.
Over the last few years, the district has been stringently budgeting to take the burden of the taxpayers during the pandemic and was using free cash to cover shortfalls. The commissioners say the proposed fiscal 2025 budget will more adequately cover costs.
"We know what we need to operate. We assume we have, based off of the calls we have. As those calls go up, it costs us more to provide that service. So, we've got a little bit of flexibility in that budget for that," Kubicki said.
Michael Kubicki says his priorities if re-elected to the Board of Water Commissioners are to ensure the fire and life safety of the Fire District and make sure the district goes in the direction the members want. click for more
Downtown Pittsfield Inc. proposed angled parking on North Street and was pleasantly surprised that the city responded with an in-depth study and new plans — even if they don't include angled parking.
click for more
Officials celebrated Arbor Day on Friday by installing a commemorative plaque next to the American elm sapling. This is a tree that James McGrath, the city's park program manager, said Presutti would have been particularly proud of.
click for more