Princeton Stories
Princeton has been home to many places and events in American history. In this digital exhibit, you will find the people, places and stories behind some of Princeton’s most well-loved landmarks, and little-known sections of history. Through tiles created by artist Katherine Hackl, we have been able to share these stories and inspire lifelong long learning of our beloved town. By further examining each tile, you will learn the story behind it, view the images that inspired Hackl’s artwork and be connected with resources for further research.
Exhibition Items
Annis Boudinot Stockton – “To General Washington”
History of the Project
When Princeton Public Library put out a call for bids regarding artwork for the Special Collections Room in their new library, Katherine Hackl answered that call with an idea that would inspire visitors for years to come. Hackl proposed a series of tiles lining the perimeter of the room, depicting scenes from Princeton’s vast history. Hearing this, one might expect to see Albert Einstein or the Princeton University “Tiger.” Instead, these thirteen tiles portray a lesser known history, but one that is still equally important.
When selecting the scenes for her tiles, Hackl wanted to find subjects that can shed light on some of the people, places and events that are often overlooked or forgotten, but have shaped Princeton’s character. It was Hackl’s goal to create a sense of the familiar, while inspiring curiosity in every person who entered the room. She explains that “residents can find many opportunities to read about Woodrow Wilson or Einstein. However, in this Special Collections Room I wanted to take a look at some of the regional stories that are not immediately recognizable, and could spur young and old visitors alike to look a little deeper.”
Scenes portrayed in these tiles include Lake Carnegie, generously donated by Andrew Carnegie; The Dinky, a train that can connect Princetonians to the rest of the state and surrounding areas; and The Rittenhouse Orrery and Spitzer Telescope, to show, as Hackl puts it, “where we started and how far we’ve come.”
“Perhaps the curious viewer will pick up a book in this Special Collections Room and discover the full stories behind these images.” The goal of this digital exhibit is to compliment Hackl’s work and carry on her goal of inspiring curiosity in visitors to the Princeton Room. It is our hope that through this online space, this interest and learning can be extended beyond the Princeton community, to anyone interested in our beloved town’s history.
The Artist
Growing up, Katherine Hackl attended the George School in Newtown, PA, a school that had an art requirement. Hackl decided to take pottery each year and fell in love with it. Upon graduation from high school, Hackl decided to postpone college and take a gap year. During this time, she approached famed potter Byron Temple for an apprenticeship at his studio in Lambertville, NJ. After concluding her studies at the University of Chicago, Hackl began an apprenticeship at Moravian Pottery and Tile Works in Doylestown, PA. This was her first experience working with tiles.
Hackl’s artistic process for creating tiles is quite interesting. What you see in the finished product are not individual tiles, but one tile that has been etched and carved, combining imagery and drawing. The image is sketched first, then she begins to carve and draw the image onto tile. Once the carvings are in place, the painting process begins, using a mix of different glazes so the colors really blend and flow together nicely. This technique can be seen in the tiles created for the Princeton Stories project.
Today, Hackl has two studios, in Lambertville, NJ and Charlestown, MA, and her pottery can be purchased. She has also created numerous tile displays in locations like Nat Turner Park, Thomas Edison University, Trenton Rail Station, The New Jersey State House Annex and, my personal favorite, Princeton Public Library.
Artist website: www.katherinehackl.com
Images of the artist and of the tiles are courtesy of the artist, Katherine Hackl.