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A Family of Artists, a Community of Creatives

A black and white collage of Beatrice Hartig Zimmerman, overlayed with a paintbrush and a paint palette.
Artist Beatrice Hartig Zimmerman | collage by Lindsay Taylor

Raised in a house full of art and creativity, Beatrice Hartig Zimmerman was no stranger to seeing the beauty in everyday life. Her father, artist Arthur E. Hartig, instilled in her and her sister Genevieve an appreciation for artistic expression and creative pursuits. The family’s creativity even extended into the culinary arts, with mother Emma being renowned for crafting delicious homemade noodles at the family home in Osceola. At the age of 16, Beatrice went on to study painting in Chicago and brought back to St. Joe County skills which won juried awards in the Midland Academy of Art exhibitions and placed her among her peers in the region.

Beatrice created well over 1,000 paintings in her life, and took her love of art not just to paper and canvas but to unorthodox locations as part of an effort to introduce more art to public spaces. In 1936, she participated as a chairwoman for “arranging displays in schools, libraries, clubs, and merchants’ windows,” eventually painting for the Menaugh’s Hardware storefront in Osceola. Her paintings were described as “outstanding in color and beauty,” a blend of charm and technical skill.

 She was a librarian, an accomplished musician, and a prolific artist who, along with her family members, was invested in beautifying the region through her works and engagement with the community. The Hartigs were involved in and charter members of many artist societies ranging from the St. Joe Valley Chapter of the American Artists Professional League, Midland Academy of Art, the St. Joe Valley Watercolor Society, and the Northern Indiana Artists Association, where Beatrice’s legacy lives on through the Beatrice Hartig Zimmerman Memorial Award. 

Beatrice and the Hartigs demonstrated how utilizing your skills and passions creates a more beautiful environment and a more fulfilling life. And more than that, they showed how gathering with like-minded individuals to foster a positive atmosphere goes a long way toward making where you live a better place to be.

Black and white photo from the south bend tribune which features the Hartig-Zimmerman family who were professional painters.
This South Bend Tribune photo shows local artists Beatrice Hartig-Zimmerman, on the ground, A.E. (Arthur) Hartig and Genevieve (Geni) Hartig-Toth in the 1940s. The two women were Hartig’s daughters, and all three of them were professional artists. | Photo from the South Bend Tribune
An image from a 1928 publication showcasing local and influential females.
Beatrice’s mother Emma Louise Hartig, pictured here from the publication Who’s Who in Woman’s Realm: South Bend – Mishawaka. She was an accomplished culinary artist and businesswoman. | 1928

Wanna Get Creative?

With your library card you can access thousands of instructional videos on a wide variety of artistic mediums through CreativeBug.

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Reading List

Fine Arts of the South Bend Region, 1840-2000

The Artistic Heritage of South Bend: 1930 – 1970 (in-library use only)

Hoosier Painters of the 21st Century

References

Anderson, E. (1931, Nov. 15). Hartig family will show art work in Osceola: Father and daughters display paintings Friday night. South Bend News Times. South Bend, Indiana.

Collins, W.R. (2014). Fine arts of the South Bend region, 1840 – 2000. Wolfson Press, Indiana University South Bend.

Cotter, D. (1962, March 8). Osceola librarian is capable artist and musician; loves both hobbies. The South Bend Tribune. South Bend, Indiana. 

Oberhausen, J. & Zimmerman, B.H. (1987). The artistic heritage of South Bend 1930 – 1970. South Bend Art Center. 

Stimulation of interest in exhibits and promotion of local crafts program aim. (1936, Nov. 6). The Indianapolis Star, p. 25.

(2020, Dec. 31). Jean Warner Magrane. The South Bend Tribune, C2.

What Happens When School Buildings Graduate?

When the final bell rings, some schools don’t close; they transform.

Larry Giantomas wiped away tears as he walked through Central High. It was spring of 1995, 25 years after the school’s final graduating Class of 1970 received their diplomas, and emotions were high as he and others toured through their old building. The dedication ceremony for the Central High Apartments marked a new chapter for the school’s long and storied history. A graduate of 1951, Larry wore his faded blue and orange graduation tassel pinned to his jacket as he relived teenage memories.

Walking past the grand stained glass window, climbing the worn marble steps, entering into his homeroom, he heard echoes of friends and times gone by. Former Central students like Larry came to pay their respects to the school, and to see a preview of the 106 new apartment units completed that year. Basketball courts, classrooms, and even the pool had been transformed into unique living spaces to give the historic educational building a new purpose.

Hosting its first class of students in 1874, Central was rebuilt, remodeled, expanded and repurposed many times before it finally graduated to apartments in 1995. Like many historic buildings in South Bend, evolution becomes necessary to fit with modern needs. The city has an almost hermit crab-like ability to see not just an old shell but new possibilities. The Colfax School, constructed in 1898, is another example of this kind of transformation. After the last school bell rang out in 1976, the building sat empty for only a year before it was turned into the Michiana College of Commerce in 1977, followed by a conversion to the Colfax Cultural Center in the 1980s, which remains in operation today.

Even as time marches on, we can coexist with the memories of the past by listening for the impressions of laughter, learning, and lives being lived in the school halls of history. “Old buildings show you who you are as a community,” said Judy O’Bannon in a 1996 Tribune interview about the Central High project, “They are our meeting and gathering places. Each community needs one.” And in these old school buildings, there are still lessons being learned and lessons being taught…how to play a new board game with friends, how to appreciate local art in a gallery, how to cook a new meal, how to live in a city that is constantly reinventing itself.

More Local & Family History Resources

Schools and libraries of the past used card catalogs to locate books in the collection. Did you know we still have some of the library’s original card catalogs? They no longer point to books in our collection, but to our clipping files. These files are folders of newspaper clippings collected by librarians over decades on a variety of local people, places, events, and buildings. Come to the Local & Family History department on the third floor of the Main Library and a staff member will be happy to pull some clipping files for you to look at, whether it’s for research or just for fun!

Illustrated vintage postcard showing "New High School" in South Bend, Indiana. The large brick school building features tall windows and prominent staircases on both sides of the entrance. People in early 20th-century clothing are gathered on the sidewalk in front, with trees and blue skies completing the scene.

See Our Full Selection of Historic School Photos

Head Back to School

Reading List

South Bend Central High School Remembered

City of South Bend Historic Sites and Structures

References

Borlik, K. (1995, Feb. 1). A class act: Apartment project breathes new life into Central High School, retaining its character and charm. The South Bend Tribune.

Giantomas, L. (1995, May 5). Ceremonies at Central High turn back the hands of time | Michiana point of view. The South Bend Tribune.

Porter, D. (1996, June 7). Central project praised for ingenuity. The South Bend Tribune.

Library offers resources for teachers

The St. Joe County Public Library offers countless resources for teachers, parents and caregivers. Below are examples of the free resources that patrons can access both at the library and at home. 

Teachers and students who teach or attend school in our service area qualify for a free guest card, even if they live outside of our service area.

In-Library Resources

Kits and Read Alouds

Playaways
Each singular tablet includes games focused on a specific grade range and subject.  Two Playaways can be checked out to each adult library card.  Only available at Main Library.

VOX Books
These books have built-in speakers so children can listen as they read.  Available at all branches.

Phonics and Language Kits
Muzzy includes CDs on learning various languages; Hooked on Phonics includes kits with DVD video lessons, storybooks and workbooks.  Available at all branches.

Printing, Faxing, and Copying

Those who live in the service area and have a library card qualify for up to $5 per day of free printing. Learn more.

Adaptive Technology

All St. Joe County Public Library branches are equipped with large print keyboards, as well as sensory kits that include: multi-sensory manipulatives, sensory headphones, gloves, and communication boards.

Adaptive Technology Kits
The Francis, Centre, German and North Liberty branches are equipped with Adaptive Technology kits which can be used in meeting rooms and at computers.  These kits include: large print keyboards, hearing loops, noise reduction headphones and communication boards.

Videophone laptops 
Available at Main Library and LaSalle Branch for patrons with hearing loss.

Outreach and Library Visits

Outreach
Want a Librarian to visit your classroom, attend an event, or set up a table at a resource fair?  Fill out the Outreach Visits Form and provide at least 3 weeks advance notice.

Library Visits
The St. Joe County Public Library offers tours of the library building for groups interested in learning more about our services. Fill out the Book a Tour Form and please provide at least three weeks advance notice.

Note: Requests for an extra activity (eg: storytime) in addition to a tour are subject to current staff availability and may require additional planning time.

Digital Resources

Databases

Explora
Database for ages K-13 that includes magazines and newspaper articles, as well as primary source documents on a variety of topics.

Inspire
Database searchable by grade level and subject.  This resource also includes an index of databases A-Z.

Online Services

Brainfuse
Live online tutoring from expert tutors. Get homework help (K-12 and college), skills building, test preparation, and FAFSA in both English and Spanish. Available 2:00pm – 11:00pm (EST) each day.

Library Apps

Read ebooks, listen to e-audio books, and borrow more digital materials with our library apps Libby, Hoopla, Flipster and Kanopy.

Staff-Curated Book Lists

Browse kids book lists for various grades, genres, and topics curated by SJCPL Youth Services Staff.

Programs and Services

Feeding Kids, Growing Minds
At the Main, LaSalle and Tutt branches children may pick one snack during after-school hours.

Storytime
Storytime is delivered at all library branches weekly.  Families will enjoy books, rhymes, and songs which build on practices that prepare children to learn to read. Recommended for ages 3 – 5.

Evening Storytime
On the fourth Thursday of the month at Main Library, children will enjoy books, songs, and play to encourage a love of reading. Recommended for ages 4-7. Families are welcome. 

National Resources

Find helpful national resources by perusing this page of our website.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Cosmic Kids Yoga
Yoga, mindfulness and relaxation designed specially for kids aged 3+.

Stories Songs & Stretches
Preschool yoga and mindfulness storytimes.

5 Minute Yoga Routine for Kids: Channel Mum
It’s not always easy getting kids excited about exercise, but this yoga routine will get their imaginations running wild and their bodies moving!

Educational Resources

GoNoodle
Activities, songs, and dances to work your wiggles out for grades K and up. You can sign up for a free educator account.

Imagineering In A Box
Walt Disney Imagineering partners with Khan Academy to bring you a free online program with 32 videos that brings together the diverse talents of Disney Imagineers around the world to share how they use a wide range of skills – from story development and conceptual design, to math, physics and engineering, creating immersive experiences.

SchoolTube
A COPPA and ADA compliant video management platform created to meet the needs of K-12 schools, providing a place for schools to publish videos for free in a tightly controlled space. An upgrade to a paid premium subscription allows ad-free viewing.

Bendable: SJCPL’s Online Learning Platform
Bendable is a free learning platform that allows residents of all ages to acquire new knowledge and skills through online courses, in-person events, and other learning resources.

Frugal Fun For Boys And Girls
This website was created by a homeschooling mom, and includes LEGO, STEM, and other learning activities.

Ready Set Kindergarten!
The Brooklyn Public Libraries offer videos for parents of preschoolers in many different languages to help develop reading readiness skills.

Novelist Plus
The St. Joe County Public Library’s Student & Teacher Databases offers NovelList K-8 Plus with fiction and nonfiction reading recommendations for grades K-8 and teens.

Back to School: All Classmates are Welcome

It’s Back to School season once again! Your student might meet new friends this year; here’s some books to help your students be kind to all classmates.

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