Rita Hassert oral history interview, 2022 June 22. (3.102431)
Date: June 22 2022Type: Audio
Description:A digital recording of an oral history interview with Rita Hassert, Library Collections Manager of the Sterling Morton Library. This interview was conducted by Kristin Arnold and took place on June 22, 2022 in the conference room of the library at The Morton Arboretum. This is the first of two interviews.
The interview focuses on Hassert's experiences before and during her employment at The Morton Arboretum, which began in 1986. Topics include her early memories of the Arboretum and the library, the library's collection of nursery catalogs, the Chamber Concert Series and other Arboretum events she helped coordinate, the Employee Giving Committee, and her involvement with the Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries.
Rita Hassert oral history interview, 2022 August 10 (3.102504)
Date: August 10 2022Type: Audio
Description:A digital recording of an oral history interview with Rita Hassert, library collections manager of the Sterling Morton Library. This interview was conducted by Kristin Arnold and took place on August 10, 2022 in the conference room of the library at The Morton Arboretum. This is the second of two interviews.
The interview focuses on Hassert's observations of how the Sterling Morton Library has developed during her employment at The Morton Arboretum, which began in 1986. Topics include changes to the library's physical space, such as the construction of the Special Collections addition and the library's collections. Hassert also discusses library exhibits and events, like the Leafing Through The Pages book discussion group as well as major projects such as the retrospective cataloging project and the launch of ACORN (Arboretum COllections and Resources Nexus).
Recent Acquisitions in the Sterling Morton Library (3.106969)
Date: March 1995Creator: Hassert, Rita
Type: Document
Description:A list of books, publications and journals recently added to the collection of the Sterling Morton Library at The Morton Arboretum.
Extent: 4 sheets, double-sided
Branches: Newsletter of the Volunteers of The Morton Arboretum, Autumn 1991 (3.107047)
Date: 1991Creator: Stowell, Gladys
Type: Serial
Description:This digitized issue of the Autumn 1991 Branches Newsletter contains articles on the following: the establishment of a lichen herbarium including definitions and descriptions of lichen; an article about the Sterling Morton Library describing it's special collections and services and an article on plant curiosities at the Arboretum. There is also information about volunteer opportunities, classes and active and new volunteers.
Extent: 6 pages
Branches: Newsletter of the Volunteers of The Morton Arboretum, Autumn 1994 (3.107057)
Date: 1994Creator: Way, Carol, Stowell, Gladys, Kovach, Linda
Type: Serial
Description:This digitized issue of the Autumn 1994 Branches Newsletter contains articles on the following: the four Audubon prints that hang above the fireplace in the Sterling Morton Library, engravings of a Whistling Swan, a Trumpeter Swan, Artic Loons and Common Loons; a write up of the volunteer recognition; and the Reader column which features books on the natural history of China from the Sterling Morton Library. Volunteer opportunities, trainings and classes are featured along with lists of new and continuing volunteers.
Extent: 6 pages
Branches: Newsletter of the Volunteers of The Morton Arboretum, Spring 1994 (3.107058)
Date: 1994Type: Serial
Description:This digitized issue of the Spring 1994 Branches Newsletter contains articles on the following: The Midwest Plant Exploration Collaboration of which the Morton Arboretum is a member, and their expedition to Siberia to collect horticultural specimens; the development of the children's book collection in the Sterling Morton Library. Volunteer opportunities, trainings and classes and lists of new and continuing volunteers are included.
Extent: 6 pages
Ed Hedborn oral history interview, 2023 March 08 (3.107277)
Date: March 8 2023Type: Audio
Description:A recording of an oral history interview with Ed Hedborn, manager of plant records, conducted by Kristin Arnold, archivist. The interview took place on March 8, 2023 in the Sterling Morton Library at The Morton Arboretum.
The interview focuses on Hedborn's experiences and memories of The Morton Arboretum's Collections Program during the curatorship of Kunso Kim, which lasted from 1998 to 2014, and Matt Lobdell, which lasted from 2014 to 2022. Topics include the development of the Arboretum's collections, online collections catalogs, the Arboretum's grid system, the Collections Master Plan, the building of the Curatorial and Operations Center, working in Plant Clinic, and tribute trees.
Cindy Crosby oral history interview, 2023 April 12 (3.107456)
Date: April 12 2023Type: Audio
Description:A recording of an oral history interview with Cindy Crosby, prairie steward supervisor and author, conducted by Rita Hassert, library collections manager. The interview took place on April 12, 2023 in the Research Center at The Morton Arboretum. This is part of a series of interviews with individuals connected to the Schulenberg Prairie.
Topics include Crosby's introduction to prairie, mentors who taught her about prairie, volunteer work on prairie, weeding, moth studies, how management of the prairie has changed, favorite prairie plant, work at Nachusa Grasslands, prairie planting at her home, connecting prairie and art, her writings, and the legacy of the prairie.
Lydia Scott Oral History Interview, 2023-12-13 (3.116359)
Date: December 13 2023Type: Audio
Description:A recording of an oral history interview with Lydia Scott, employee of The Morton Arboretum from 2012 to 2023, conducted by Rita Hassert, library collections manager. The interview took place on Dec 13, 2023, in the Sterling Morton Library's Special Collections Reading Room.
Topics include: Ms. Scott's career and her time at the Arboretum, the founding of the Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI), data collected and maintained by CRTI, several CRTI programs and initiatives, the challenges and successes she has seen while leading CRTI, and urban and community forestry's past and future.
Sterling Morton Library Addition Grand Opening: guests/staff with keynote speaker in Thornhill Founder's Room (3.3334)
Date: May 2000Type: Photographic image
Description:Sterling Morton Library Addition Grand Opening: guests/staff with keynote speaker in Thornhill Founder's Room
L to R: Nancy McCray (Chicago Botanic Garden), Mark Jusko, Ginger Jusko (Chicago Botanic Garden), Rita Hassert (The Morton Arboretum), Charlotte Tancin (Hunt Institute of Botanical Documentation), Michael Stieber (The Morton Arboretum)
Extent: 1 photograph
Arbor Day, Rita Hassert face painting George McNulty (3.3883)
Date: April 1994Creator: Nachel, Jim
Type: Photographic image
Description:Arbor Day, Rita Hassert face painting George McNulty
Extent: 1 photograph
Employee Giving Committee posing with poster (3.4094)
Date: 1998Type: Photographic image
Description:Employee Giving Committee posing with poster
Front (L to R): Rita Hassert, Ron Picco, Ed Zielinski, Maribeth Slaughter
Back (L to R): Nanette Kalscheur, Susan Wiegrefe, Rich Johnson, Jacqueline Hienbuecher, Ed Hedborn
*Employee Giving Committee members not depicted: Dave Cascarano, Jeanine Lopez, Donna Pluciennik
Extent: 1 photograph
Green Nature, Human Nature book signing in Sterling Morton Library, several groups in conversation in the May T. Watts Reading Garden (3.4180)
Date: May – June 1996Type: Photographic image
Description:Green Nature, Human Nature book signing in Sterling Morton Library, several groups in conversation in the May T. Watts Reading Garden
(L to R): Bill Borden, Susan Klatt, Darlene Spalo, Charles Lewis, Rita Hassert
Extent: 1 photograph
Green Nature, Human Nature book signing in Sterling Morton Library, Charles Lewis with group of guests in the May T. Watts Reading Garden (3.4192)
Date: May – June 1996Type: Photographic image
Description:Green Nature, Human Nature book signing in Sterling Morton Library, Charles Lewis with group of guests in the May T. Watts Reading Garden
(L to R): Rita Hassert, Gerry Donnelly, Charles Lewis, Amy Westerhold, Susan Klatt
Extent: 1 photograph
Green Nature, Human Nature book signing in Sterling Morton Library, group of guests in conversation in the May T. Watts Reading Garden (3.4193)
Date: May – June 1996Type: Photographic image
Description:Green Nature, Human Nature book signing in Sterling Morton Library, group of guests in conversation in the May T. Watts Reading Garden
(L to R): Gary Watson, Rita Hassert, Gerry Donnelly, Amy Westerhold
Extent: 1 photograph
Sterling Morton Library staff holding signs in the May T. Watts Reading Garden "We will miss you Addy" (3.4207)
Date: June 2000Type: Photographic image
Description:Sterling Morton Library staff holding signs in the May T. Watts Reading Garden "We will miss you Addy"
(L to R): Michael Stieber, Peter Wang, Rita Hassert
Extent: 1 photograph
Sterling Morton Library Staff (3.4211)
Date: circa 1988Type: Photographic image
Description:Sterling Morton Library Staff
(L to R): Michael Stieber, Rita Hassert, Ian MacPhail, Peter Wang
Extent: 1 photograph
Sterling Morton Library staff, Rita Hassert seated at computer near circulation desk (3.4212)
Date: 1987Type: Photographic image
Description:Sterling Morton Library staff, Rita Hassert seated at computer near circulation desk
Extent: 1 photograph
Sterling Morton Library staff holding signs in the May T. Watts Reading Garden "We will miss you Addy" (3.4226)
Date: June 2000Type: Photographic image
Description:Sterling Morton Library staff holding signs in the May T. Watts Reading Garden "We will miss you Addy"
(L to R): Michael Stieber, Peter Wang, Rita Hassert; photograph
Extent: 1 photograph
Sterling Morton Library Gala opening, Rita Hassert and Nancy Hart with keynote speaker, Charlotte Tancin, in the main reading room (3.4227)
Date: May 15 2000Type: Photographic image
Description:Sterling Morton Library Gala opening, Rita Hassert and Nancy Hart with keynote speaker, Charlotte Tancin (Hunt Botanical Library), in the main reading room
(L to R): Rita Hassert, Charlotte Tancin, Nancy Hart
Extent: 1 photograph
Sterling Morton Library Staff (3.4260)
Date: 1990sType: Photographic image
Description:Sterling Morton Library Staff
(Seated L to R): Ian MacPhail, Merv Runner
(Standing L to R): Peter Wang, Nancy Hart, Michael Stieber, Rita Hassert
Extent: 1 photograph
Professor Joseph Ewan speaking to man, Dorothy Poling and Rita Hassert at lecture in the Sterling Morton Library (3.4282)
Date: September 1992Type: Photographic image
Description:Professor Joseph Ewan speaking to man, Dorothy Poling and Rita Hassert at lecture in the Sterling Morton Library
Extent: 1 photograph
Rita Hassert, portrait (3.4973)
Date: 1989Type: Photographic image
Description:Rita Hassert, portrait
Extent: 1 photograph
Duane Henry speaking outside of tent to crowd on Earth Day with berm in background (3.55562)
Date: April 1990Creator: Doty, Carol L.
Type: Photographic image
Description:Duane Henry speaking outside of tent to crowd in celebration of 20th anniversary of Earth Day with berm in background. Rita Hassert in hat.
Extent: 1 slide
Gerry Donnelly speaking to employees in front of Administration Building rotunda on Arbor Day (3.55571)
Date: April 1993Creator: Nachel, Jim
Type: Photographic image
Description:Gerry Donnelly speaking to employees in front of Administration Building rotunda on Arbor Day.
Sitting on ledge (L to R): unidentifed woman, Fay (Hinton) Wheatman, Georgia Rutherford, Helen Langrill, Rita Hassert, Craig Johnson, Rick Hootman, Fred Berg in sunglasses.
Standing (L to R): Ed Hedborn, Roger Brunke, Nancy Hart, Peter Wang
Extent: 1 slide
Gerry Donnelly speaking to employees in front of Administration Building rotunda on Arbor Day (3.55572)
Date: April 1993Creator: Nachel, Jim
Type: Photographic image
Description:Gerry Donnelly speaking to employees in front of Administration Building rotunda on Arbor Day.
Sitting on ledge (L to R): unidentifed woman, Fay (Hinton) Wheatman, Georgia Rutherford, Helen Langrill, Rita Hassert, Craig Johnson, Rick Hootman, Fred Berg in sunglasses.
Standing (L to R): Ed Hedborn, Roger Brunke, Tim Wolkober, Nancy Hart, Peter Wang
Extent: 1 slide
Gerry Donnelly speaking to employees in front of Administration Building rotunda on Arbor Day (3.55579)
Date: April 1993Creator: Nachel, Jim
Type: Photographic image
Description:Gerry Donnelly speaking to employees in front of Administration Building rotunda on Arbor Day.
Sitting on ledge (L to R): unidentifed woman, Fay (Hinton) Wheatman, Georgia Rutherford, Helen Langrill, Rita Hassert, Craig Johnson, Rick Hootman, Fred Berg in sunglasses.
Standing (L to R): Ed Hedborn, Roger Brunke, Tim Wolkober, Nancy Hart, Peter Wang
Extent: 1 slide
Employees shoveling soil around newly planted tree at Arbor Day employee tree planting (3.55665)
Date: April 1996Creator: Hootman, Rick
Type: Photographic image
Description:Employees shoveling soil around newly planted tree at Arbor Day employee tree planting. P.J. Smith in plaid shirt, Patrick Kelsey behind at left in brown jacket, Peter Wang, behind at right in green jacket, Rita Hassert, behind in purple jacket.
Extent: 1 slide
1996/10/22: Larry Thompson to Raymond Brand (3.56339)
Date: October 22 1996Creator: Thompson, Larry
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Larry Thompson of Wheaton College to Raymond Brand inquiring if he has any knowledge regarding the theory that trees can serve as a barrier to the spread of communicable disease.
The letter contains a handwritten note to Arboretum staff asking for their input, and a handwritten note from Michael Stieber to Ray Brand suggesting he consult an abstract which is no longer with the original document.
Extent: 1 sheet
Plant Health Care Report: Issue 2003.11 (3.59363)
Date: 2003Creator: Jacobs, Karel, Danielson, Donna, Miller, Fredric D., Hassert, Rita
Type: Serial
Charles Lewis and Rita Hassert filling in soil around newly planted tree (3.61949)
Date: May 1990Creator: Nachel, Jim
Type: Photographic image
Description:Charles Lewis and Rita Hassert filling in soil around newly planted tree
Extent: 1 slide
Arboretum employees gathered for tree planting (3.61966)
Date: May 1990Creator: Nachel, Jim
Type: Photographic image
Description:Arboretum employees gathered for tree planting.
Left to right: unidentified person, Rita Hassert, Charles Lewis, unidentified person, Helen Langrill, Fay Wheatman, Duane Henry, Kris Bachtell, John Sosnowski, Susan Klatt, unidentified person, Lynne Kalata
Extent: 1 slide
Charles Lewis and Rita Hassert planting young tree (3.61968)
Date: May 1990Creator: Nachel, Jim
Type: Photographic image
Description:Charles Lewis and Rita Hassert planting young tree
Extent: 1 slide
Rita Hassert with potted young tree kneeling by soil at planting hole (3.61969)
Date: May 1990Creator: Nachel, Jim
Type: Photographic image
Description:Rita Hassert with potted young tree kneeling by soil at planting hole
Extent: 1 slide
Rita Hassert digging hole for potted young tree on hill (3.61970)
Date: May 1990Creator: Nachel, Jim
Type: Photographic image
Description:Rita Hassert digging hole for potted young tree on hill
Extent: 1 slide
Kris Bachtell lifting out potted young tree as Rita Hassert prepares soil for tree planting on hill (3.61971)
Date: May 1990Creator: Nachel, Jim
Type: Photographic image
Description:Kris Bachtell lifting out potted young tree as Rita Hassert prepares soil for tree planting on hill
Extent: 1 slide