Local History and Genealogy Takes Flight

The latest exhibit on display at the Main Library features the works of six individuals: writers, photographers, an illustrator, and a waterfowl rehabilitator, and is drawn from the holdings of Manuscript Collection 85 — also known as the Lawrence Hiett Collection. This collection includes issues of The Cardinal, published by Toledo Area Metroparks between the 1960s and the 1980s, as well as family letters and diaries. But of particular interest during the upcoming Biggest Week in American Birding are the photographs taken by Larry Hiett (1895-1981). As a student at Toledo Central High School, Hiett became interested in identifying area birds by sight and by their songs. He went on to graduate from the University of Michigan and Cornell University, where he trained as a horticulturist, and proceeded to work as the chief metallurgist for the Electric Auto-Lite Company. But his passion was nature photography.

Four of his bird photos were chosen for the 1953 edition of the American Museum of Natural History’s book Land Birds of America. He was named “Naturalist of the Year” by the Toledo Naturalist Association in 1968, and he remained active with the camera until he was about 80 years old. If you want to learn more about Hiett, Clarence Moores Weed (1864-1947), Lou Campbell, (1899-1998), Melita Hoffmann (1907-1976), John Thomas Hutchinson, III (1927-2017) and Tom Anderson (1924-2006), visit the Main Library.