Join the Latrobe Art Center in celebrating Women’s History Month with their new special exhibit, “Remembering Her: A Reflection on Latrobe’s Women in the Arts.”

On display NOW through March 31, 2021, “Remembering Her” encourages visitors to reflect on women who not only were gifted artists but also were instrumental in the development and growth of Latrobe through their leadership and other activities. The exhibit features five notable women including renowned artist and teacher Mary Martha Himler, legendary librarian Dr. Sara McComb, Latrobe’s Summer Day Camp Director Virginia Daniels, and the Latrobe Art Center co-founders, Elizabeth Hazlett and Nancy Rogers Crozier.

View this free exhibit, and discover the stories of Latrobe’s women in the arts by visiting the Latrobe Art Center during its regular operating hours.

Learn a bit about the exhibit’s five featured women below!

Mary Martha Himler

Born on June 28, 1888 in Greensburg, Pennsylvania to parents George W. Himler and Matilda Jane Winnings, Mary Martha Himler was raised at her family home at 10 North Ligonier St., Latrobe where she began developing her artistic abilities. After graduating from Latrobe High School in 1908, Himler attended Beaver College. Following her graduation, she completed a three year course of study in a single year at Indiana Normal, now Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and earned a teaching certificate. Himler then returned to Latrobe and began teaching art in 1912.

With training and education completed in several types of media, Himler became an artist of many talents. She began exhibiting her work at the Carnegie’s Associated Artists of Pittsburgh Show in 1928 where she earned several awards. Himler went on to participate in dozens of art shows and receive recognition and awards. However, to Himler, her art was secondary to her teaching. Himler taught and enriched the lives of her students through the arts in the Latrobe School District and Westmoreland County for over 40 years. It was during these years that she co-founded the Greater Latrobe High School art collection, an enduring piece of her inspiring legacy.

Dr. Sara McComb

It is said that when a Latrobe resident reflects on their experience in the public library, Dr. Sara Carr McComb comes to mind. Nearly every person visiting the Latrobe Public Library or the later Adams Memorial Library between the years of 1931 and 1972 can recall a memory or personal experience with the “legendary” librarian. While words like “strict,” “eccentric,” and “strong-willed" are often used to describe her, all remember her as a devoted leader and beacon in the Latrobe community.

Born in 1905 to parents James Albert “Banker” McComb and Mary Dickie Carr, Sara McComb lived in a 12 room, Victorian style house located at 600 Ligonier St., Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Following her graduation in 1927 from Wilson College, she attended Carnegie Library School and was on its staff until taking on the role of head librarian at Latrobe Public Library on February 1, 1931. After outgrowing its space, the library moved from its original location in the Masonic Building on the corner of Ligonier and Spring Streets to its present location at 1112 Ligonier St. in 1954 and was renamed the Adams Memorial Library. McComb relocated with the building becoming its first librarian. Here, she continued to dedicate her life to inspiring and influencing generations of readers until retiring on January 1, 1972.

Virginia Daniels

When imagining an artist, it would be unlikely that a high school biology teacher would come to mind. However, Virginia Daniels proved that artists could come in all varieties.

Through her active involvement in numerous community organizations and as a biology teacher at Greater Latrobe Senior High School, Daniels was best known for her role as founder and director of the Latrobe Day Camp at Keystone State Park where she was given the renowned nickname “Slugger.” Over the 27 years serving as the camp’s director, Daniels provided a fun and instructive experience for thousands of kids in Latrobe and surrounding communities.

Despite being incredibly involved in her community and the school, Daniels dedicated significant time to her artistry. By the time of her passing on August 16, 1996, Daniels had written dozens of poems, articles, devotionals, and original musical compositions for which she won several awards. Virginia Daniels will not only be remembered for her immense heart for educating Latrobe's youth but also for her creativity and artistic talents, her love for her community, and her life's mission to encourage kindness and goodness in Latrobe and throughout the world through sharing her Christian faith.

Elizabeth “Libby” Hazlett

Elizabeth Hazlett was born on October 26, 1926 to parents James and Pearl Ogden and grew up in Latrobe with her brother James Ogden. Hazlett, also referred to as “Libby,” graduated from Latrobe High School and attended Grove City College. Following her studies, she returned to Latrobe where she became an active member of the Latrobe Presbyterian Church, the Latrobe Women’s Club, the Latrobe Area Hospital Aid Society, and other community organizations.

As a patron of the arts and an avid artist, Hazlett participated in a number of art workshops and exhibited her work in several regional galleries. She attributed her passion for the arts to years of art classes taught by renowned artist Mary Martha Himler. With Crozier, Hazlett later co-founded the Latrobe Art Center in 2002.

Nancy “Laney” Rogers Crozier

Born February 21, 1939 to parents James Hillis Rogers and Nancy McFeely Rogers, Nancy Elaine Rogers Crozier, also referred to as “Laney,” was raised in Latrobe with her brother Fred McFeely Rogers, beloved host of the children’s television show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. While her brother became widely known for his show and its essential messages for children and their families, Nancy did work of her own to benefit her local community and make the world a better place.

While serving in several leadership roles within a variety of community organizations, Crozier also was deeply involved and invested in the arts as both a patron and an artist. She painted several watercolor paintings of her own, frequently featuring scenes, objects, and people from her daily life. Outside of creating her own works of art, she went on to found the Latrobe Art Center and provide the opportunity for hundreds of artists of all ages and skill levels to foster their artistic skills and exhibit their works with friend and fellow artist Elizabeth Ogden Hazlett.