Skip to main content

Julius Hartmann Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-882-BC

Scope and Content

The bulk of the collection contains correspondence and material related to Hartman’s interests in history and Native American languages. Other materials document Hartmann’s life as he collected newspaper clippings about his career and photos of the areas where he worked and visited. The collection is divided into five series:

Biographical/Personal includes material related to events in Hartmann’s life, family history, passports, certificates, and journals

Correspondence includes letters, mostly in German, and some in English and Spanish. Most are letters to and from family and church officials. Also included are translations and transcriptions of a few selected German letters.

Research, Events, Addresses contains Hartman’s research files on world history and New Mexico history and material about Native American events and languages. It also has Hartman’s sermons and draft speeches he gave to his congregation and at special events. Materials related to special events focus primarily on Hartmann’s participation in the Constitutional Convention of 1910 and the Statehood inauguration of 1912, including material about Hartmann composing the music for the ode sung at the statehood inauguration.

Photos series has original negatives and unique photos of New Mexican people and places, including images of Pueblo, Hispanic, and Comanche ceremonies and rituals including Matachines dance, Comanche performances, building the Santa Maria de Acoma Church, schools, and ruins. Also included is an assortment of New Mexico postcards.

Artifacts and Ephemera series contains mostly liturgical publications written in various languages and other religious items.

Dates

  • 1879-1985
  • Majority of material found within 1910-1969

Creator

Language of Materials

English Spanish German French

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.

Biography / History

Julius Hartmann, long time pastor in New Mexico became known as the Godfather of New Mexico. He not only witnessed statehood but participated in the political process of New Mexico’s transition from territory to state. He was born Julius Johannes Hartmann on December 2, 1885 in Dingelstädt, Germany. Hartman studied for the priesthood in Germany, and in 1908, at age twenty-two, he was sent to New Mexico ordained a secular priest. He was first stationed at the Saint Frances Cathedral at Santa Fe and was also chaplain at Saint Catherine’s Indian School. He then became assistant pastor at Guadalupe parish and at the same time chaplain at the penitentiary. In 1910 he was chaplain to the New Mexico Constitutional Convention. In 1912, he became pastor of the new parish in Willard, New Mexico. He later served as chaplain at Saint Anthony’s Orphanage in Albuquerque as well pastor at various churches in Socorro and Isleta parishes, at Saint Charles Borromeo in Albuquerque and Cristo Rey Church in Santa Fe. Other assignments included Saint Mary’s Hospital, Roswell Air Force Base, Loretto Convent at Bernalillo, Carmelite Sisters in Santa Fe and finally after retiring in 1957 he joined the Little Brothers of Good Shepard where he remained until his death in 1970. He is noted as being the Chaplin for the Constitutional Convention and for writing and composing the song “47th Star” which was performed at the inaugural celebrations.

Extent

2 boxes (2 cu. ft.), plus 1 oversize folder

Abstract

This collection contains the papers of Father Julius Hartman, a Catholic priest in New Mexico. The materials relate to his work and life during his service at various New Mexican parishes and Catholic institutions.

Arrangement

5 series:
  1. Biographical/Personal, 1905-1985
  2. Correspondence, 1910-1969
  3. Research, Events, Addresses, 1908-1969
  4. Photos, 1917-1969
  5. Artifacts and Ephemera, 1897-1905

Separated Material

Postcards of New Mexico have been transferred to CSWR Pictorial collections.

Newspapers The New Mexico Register (November 2, 1956, April 18, 1958, July 1, 1960); Santa Fe New Mexican (June 8, 1908) have been catalogued for the Center for Southwest Research general collection.

Books ( The Franciscan Missions of the Southwest, 1919, Fray Marcos de Niza and His Journey to Cibola, 1947) have been catalogued for the Center for Southwest Research general collection.
Title
Finding Aid of the Julius Hartmann Papers, 1879-1985
Status
Completed
Author
Samuel Sisneros
Date
© 2011
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451