A new exhibit at Colton Hall is offering a rare glimpse into Monterey’s past through the lens of an extraordinary collection of historical photographs. The images, spanning from 1870 to 1950, are part of the late Pat Hathaway’s vast archive, a treasure trove depicting Monterey County’s evolution over nearly a century.
Hathaway, a Pacific Grove native who died unexpectedly in 2021 without a will, left behind tens of thousands of photographs—some he took himself, others he meticulously collected over the years. With no designated heir, his longtime friend and collaborator, Kent Seavey, was appointed to find a permanent home for the collection. Ultimately, it was entrusted to the Monterey County Historical Society (MCHS) in Salinas, which offers the climate-controlled facilities necessary for preservation.
The exhibit, funded by the Thomas Doud Sr. and Anita M. Doud Fund, is curated by former City of Monterey museums employee Susan Klusmire. Over the past year, Klusmire sifted through thousands of Hathaway’s photos, selecting around 120 to present Monterey’s transformation from a modest coastal settlement into a bustling city.
Opening August 30, the display consists of 11 thematic panels featuring 10-14 images each, capturing everything from Victorian-era street scenes to early 20th-century civic landmarks. One panel is dedicated to Hathaway himself, a fitting tribute to a man who spent decades documenting the region’s visual history.
For Klusmire, the project is more than a professional endeavor—it’s a tribute to her late friend and a chance to honor his life’s work. “I realized he never had a memorial, so why not combine the two?” she says.
“I hope everybody comes to see it,” she adds. “There are a lot of images that people will be astonished to see.” The exhibit is poised to provide visitors with a unique, evocative journey through time, revealing Monterey’s past in a way few have experienced before.
Source: Monterey County Now
Other Articles
