The Williamsport community celebrated a former local artist with the installation of a historical marker on June 9, 2024, by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
The historical marker honoring Hunter’s accomplishments was unveiled during a ceremony at the Ways Garden Art Show. The marker is located on the Maynard Street side of Way's Garden, at the corner of West Fourth and Maynard Streets, Williamsport.
Bill Lewis, a representative of the Commission, introduced the marker and discussed the history of the marker program in Pennsylvania. There are well over 2000 markers in the state, each designating a person, place or event important to the history of the country.
Among the speakers at the event was Taber Museum Executive Director, Gary Parks, who introduced Frances Tipton Hunter, and noted her accomplishments. he mentioned that she was an illustrator who created magazine covers for The Saturday Evening Post, Good Housekeeping, and Ladies’ Home Journal, and illustrated and published two children’s books. Her artwork is similar in style to Norman Rockwell and often featured children and pets.
Hunter lived in Williamsport during her young life until she moved to Philadelphia to study art at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. She began her career illustrating fashion for department store children’s clothing lines.
Two of Hunter’s works are featured in the Fine Arts Gallery of the Taber Museum, with more drawn from the permanent collections of the Taber for a special display of her work on the day of the installation. The James V. Brown Library has more than 10 large framed illustrations on display on the third floor of the Welch Children’s Wing.
Museum volunteer Mary Sieminksi was instrumental in nominating Hunter for the marker program, and she took part in the unveiling event.
After the event, the Museum held a reception in the fine arts gallery.