Maria Mitchell In Her Own Words

Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • February 22, 2022

Feb. 1. I called on Miss Hosmer’s studio today . . . .


Harriet Hosmer was a fellow Massachusetts native. Born in Watertown in 1830, her body of work was largely completed during her time in Rome where Maria would meet her and visit at her studio multiple times. I believe that in her book of pressed leaves from her European trip, Maria has one from Hosmer’s studio (I mean, how fantastic is that?!)


Hosmer was supported in her desire to sculpt by her physician father who had lost his wife (Harriet’s mother) and children (Harriet’s siblings) – including sending her away to St. Louis to enroll in school so that she could learn human anatomy – something that was not necessarily taught to women in the nineteenth century. In Rome, she was surrounded by artists, writers, and other ex-pats. She found herself among other women sculptors – a group that Henry James would refer to as the “White Marmorean Flock.” Hosmer would know Nathaniel Hawthorne (she inspired a character in The Marble Faun – as did Maria Mitchell) – and whom Maria Mitchell travelled with – thus likely what brought Maria to Hosmer’s studio door. Hosmer’s sculpture of “Puck” from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is probably her most well-known. 


I do remember Maria making comments about Hosmer in other places in her journals. Something along the lines of impish or mischievous and I will have to go back and figure out where I read that. James called her the “life of the party” apparently so she had some mercurial tendencies.


I highly advise you go seek more information on Hosmer – and her works. An incredible life and artist.


JNLF

Recent Posts

Hoop Rolling

By Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • September 14, 2026
Do you know what these Mitchell House Junior Historians are doing? It is a good old-fashioned round of hoop rolling. And, they had a lot of fun learning how to use them down at the Coffin School one day. Hoop rolling or hoop trundling were popular from very early on and well into the twentieth century. By early on I mean Ancient Greece even. It’s on ancient pottery and was not limited to children! Native Americans, ancient Rome, 16 th century England – it’s been known by different names, taken various formats, played by various ages, and played through various ages. In the nineteenth century, both boys and girls did hoop rolling – and it was likely seen as a more “ladylike” active game that girls could play. I’m assuming that is likely the reason why several women’s colleges still have I tradition of rolling hoops. We use these sometimes in the summer during our weeklong Mitchell House children’s program – Junior Historians. Do not be too surprised if you see me out on the lawn on Vestal Street practicing on warm days this fall, winter, and spring! Got to get up to speed! JNLF

Keep Calm and Bird On: September 2026

September 1, 2026
“If you don’t look, you don’t see. You have to go and look.” -Edith Andrews

Mallow!

By Jascin Leonardo Finger • August 31, 2026
I’m sure you’ve seen it as you trek about the island – near the beaches and ponds. This image is of the swamp or marsh mallow that we have on Vestal Street in our garden out front of the Observatory. It can grow in drier places – though it’s not as lush as at Capaum Pond or out in Quaise. It’s in the Hibiscus family – and is fairly tropical looking and always a delight to see.  “When in bloom, one of the most showy plants of the Island, for a mass of the magnificent, large flowers on the edge of a blue pond causes one’s heart to thrill at the wealth of deep pink colour . . .” from Nantucket Wild Flowers, Alice O. Albertson (cousin of Maria Mitchell), 1921. JNLF
Show More