Hart (William S.) (1864-1946) Collection, ca. 1890s-1940s, 1867-1949

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Summary

Title:
William S. Hart (1864-1946) Collection, ca. 1890s-1940s
Dates:
1867-1949
Creators:
Hart, William S. (William Surrey), 1864-1946
Abstract:
Extent:
40 linear feet
Language:
Preferred citation:

William S. Hart (1864-1946) Collection, ca. 1890s-1940s. Seaver Center for Western History Research, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Background

Scope and content:

Photographs, negatives and film reels collected by silent screen cowboy star William Surrey Hart. Stills from Hart films; actors and actresses, including his leading ladies; portraits of Hart in his youth, his early years in New York theater and throughout his film career in Hollywood. Non-Western publicity portraits and numerous Western portraits including the iconic "Two-Gun Bill" pose. Photographs of Hart with others; family photographs of his sister Mary Ellen and son William Hart, Jr.; and fellow actors, co-stars, and friends including artist Charles M. Russell. Views of the Hart ranch in Newhall produced on contact prints: the construction of his house and after completion; the grounds; and informal shots of Hart with others. Other subject matters in the collection include Hart with his favorite horse and movie star in his own right, Fritz; the publicity tour of 1917; and the 1918 Liberty Loan Drive. The William S. Hart Ranch and Museum is located in Newhall, California. It is a part of the Natural History Family along with the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, of which the latter two museums are in Los Angeles, California. ca. 1867-1949 (bulk is 1890-1949). Part of the William Surrey Hart Papers (Gen. Col. 1012). See also: P-20.1, P-98 (William S. Hart County Park Research Files.) See also GC1192, GC1353, MSS-247, MSS-251, MSS-575. Select images have been added to the online digital gallery at https://collections.nhm.org/seaver-center/.

Biographical / historical:

William Surrey Hart (1864-1946) achieved fame and fortune by producing and starring in over 70 silent films in the Western film genre. He retired to his Horseshoe Ranch in Newhall, California in 1925, and his hilltop mansion was completed two years later. After his death, his property was bequeathed to the County of Los Angeles for use as a public park and museum.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by Seaver Center for Western History Research, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County staff.
Date Prepared:
1867-1949
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Research is by appointment only

Terms of access:

Permission to publish, quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder

Preferred citation:

William S. Hart (1864-1946) Collection, ca. 1890s-1940s. Seaver Center for Western History Research, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Location of this collection:
900 Exposition Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90007-4057, US
Contact:
(213) 763-3359
seavercenter@nhm.org
Website