Hale Exhibit
Harriet "Hattie" Hale Roberts was one of the last residents of the Foreman-Roberts House and a woman of remarkable heritage and accomplishment. A direct descendant of Revolutionary War patriot Nathan Hale, she also built a professional career with the State of Nevada during a time when few women worked outside the home. Displayed upstairs, Hattie's Smith Premier typewriter offers visitors a personal connection to her daily life, her work, and the enduring legacy she and Thurman Roberts left to Carson City.
Donated by Hattie Hale Roberts' descendants, the Mariani family, this complete Morse code practice telegraph offers a rare glimpse into Hattie's early career. Family history recalls that she studied telegraphy in Chicago and worked transmitting messages before moving west. Displayed alongside her Smith Premier typewriter, this remarkable artifact reflects the determination, skill, and pioneering spirit of a woman who embraced professional opportunities uncommon for her time, long before she made the Foreman-Roberts House her home.
A Life Beyond the Walls
The story of Harriet "Hattie" Hale Roberts reminds us that history is often found in the lives of ordinary people who quietly accomplished extraordinary things. Through her typewriter, telegraph trainer, family photographs, and treasured heirlooms, we discover a woman who was educated, independent, and ahead of her time. A descendant of Revolutionary War patriot Nathan Hale, Hattie built a professional career, embraced new technologies, and ultimately became one of the last caretakers of the Foreman-Roberts House. Her legacy—and that of Thurman Roberts—helped preserve this remarkable home for future generations. As you leave this exhibit, we hope you'll remember that every artifact has a story, and every story helps keep Carson City's history alive.