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1859
October 17 Born on Olney Street in Dorchester, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston, to Rosa Delia Hathorne Hassam (1834–1891 / 92) and Frederick Fitch Hassam (1825–1912), both descendants of seventeenth-century Massachusetts settlers. Frederick works as a cutlery merchant and collects American antiques.

Attends Sunday school and services at Unitarian Church. Sketches and paints in watercolor in father's antique-filled barn.

1872
November 9–10 Father loses cutlery business in Great Boston Fire.

1875/76
Graduates from Mather School, Meeting House Hill, Dorchester.

Ca. 1875/76–77/78
Attends Dorchester High School, which was then a military school; studies drawing, watercolor, Latin, French, Greek, and German. Excels at rugby, swimming, boxing.

Lives near family of future artist Walter Gay; is friendly with Gay's brothers.

Ca. 1877
Leaves Dorchester High School in third year, without graduating, to work in accounting room at Little, Brown and Co., Boston publishers. Dismissed after three weeks. His supervisor recommends that he pursue a career in art.

Ca. 1878–81
Apprentices in shop of wood engraver George E. Johnson at 9 Milk Street, Boston. Boards first on Michigan Avenue in Dorchester, then in suburb of Hyde Park.

1879, 1880
Appears in Boston Directory . . . (Boston: Sampson, Davenport, and Company, 1879, 1880) as "Fred C. Hassam, draughtsman."

Ca. 1880
Perhaps through his friend watercolor painter Ross Turner, meets poet Celia Laighton Thaxter in Boston. Thaxter will become an important figure in his early career. She winters in Kittery, Maine, and hosts artists, writers, and musicians at her summer home at Appledore, Isles of Shoals, during summers.

1880/81
Summer First paints in Gloucester, Massachusetts, accompanied by Turner. There he meets artists Kenyon Cox, John Leslie Breck, Will Hicok Low, and Louis Ritter.

Ca. 1881
Begins work as freelance illustrator, specializing in children's stories.

Designs masthead of The Marblehead Messenger.

Studies drawing and anatomy at Lowell Institute, Boston. Knows painter, sculptor, and anatomist William Rimmer, who teaches there. Takes evening class in anatomy and dissection from student of Rimmer.

1881
Before October Probably visits Thaxter in Kittery; sketches her house.

1882
February 11–March 11 25th Exhibition of Oil Paintings, Boston Art Club. First known public exhibition. Has already sold works in local shops.

By July 1 Has studio at 28 School Street, Boston, but boards in Hyde Park, where he will live until early 1884. Appears in Boston Directory . . . (Boston: Sampson, Davenport, and Company, 1882) for first time as "artist."

Summer Visits Nantucket, Medway, Sudbury, and neighboring towns in Massachusetts.

Autumn Water Colors by Fred C. Hassam, Williams and Everett Gallery, Boston. First one-man exhibition, includes work done during summer.

Designs illustrations for William H. Thomes, The Belle of Australia; or, Who Am I? and On Land and Sea; or, California in the Years 1843, '44 and '45, serial in Ballou's Monthly Magazine (published as book by De Wolfe, Fiske and Co., Boston, 1883).

At Thaxter's suggestion, discards prosaic given name in favor of unusual, presumably more marketable middle name. After signing himself "F. Childe Hassam" for a while, in 1883 begins to drop initial and becomes "Childe Hassam."

1883
By January Has rented large studio at 149A Tremont Street, Boston, for about $250 per year. Meets painter George Fuller, who also has studio in building.

From January 15 Exhibition of Paintings by an Association of Boston Artists, American Art Galleries, New York. New York exhibition debut

Until February 25 16th Annual Exhibition, American Water Color Society, New York

April 2–May 12 58th Annual Exhibition of Paintings, National Academy of Design, New York

Possibly travels to New York to see these exhibitions.

Late spring/early summer Makes documented stay in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and from there probably takes first trip to Isles of Shoals to visit Thaxter at her summer cottage on Appledore.

June 30 Sails to Europe on SS Anchoria with fellow illustrator Edmund Henry Garrett.

July–August Travels through Europe with Garrett. Exact itinerary unknown. Visits Great Britain (Glasgow, Edinburgh, London), Netherlands (Scheveningen), France (Brittany, Auvers-sur-Oise, Paris briefly), Italy (Venice, Naples, Pompeii, Florence), Switzerland (Ouchy), and Spain (Granada, Denia, Malaga, San Sebastian). Attends bullfight in Malaga. Later recalls he was impressed by English watercolorists, particularly J. M. W. Turner, whose works he sees in cellar of National Gallery, London. Studies Dutch masterpieces in Netherlands and Spanish pictures in Prado, Madrid. Visits major galleries in Venice. Paints in watercolor throughout trip. First attempts at etching

Late August–early September Sails from Naples to New York on SS Alsatia, which stops at several Spanish ports before crossing Atlantic. Visits and paints at Alhambra, Granada. Paints in watercolor aboard ship. Works in studio at 12 West Street, Boston, on return.

From September 3 Foreign Exhibition, Massachusetts Charitable Mechanics' Association, Boston. Perhaps sees the seventeen works by leading French Impressionists included and is inspired by them.

From December 4 Pedestal Fund Art Loan Exhibition, National Academy of Design, New York. Possibly attends or hears about this four-week exhibition, which includes French Impressionist works.

December School of Drawing at Boston Art Club opens. Enrolls in classes taught by Tommaso Juglaris, Italian artist who had worked under Thomas Couture in Paris.

Substitutes for Turner as Thaxter's watercolor instructor.

Meets Emil Carlsen.

Joins Paint and Clay Club, Boston, along with Garrett.

Jean Ingelow, The High Tide on the Coast of Lincolnshire (Boston: Roberts Brothers), with illustrations by Hassam, published.

1884
February 1 Marries Montreal-born Kathleen Maud Doane (1862–1946), known as "Maud."

Early in year Moves to The Albemarle, at 282 Columbus Avenue on corner of Clarendon Street in Boston's newly expanded South End. Begins painting urban street scenes. Keeps studio at 12 West Street.

October 30–December 11 55th Annual Exhibition, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia

December First appearance of illustrations by Hassam in Wide Awake, periodical to which he will contribute regularly until 1887.

Water Colors by Hassam, Williams and Everett Gallery, Boston

Contributes illustrations to The Poetical Works of Lord Byron and Favorite Poems Selected from English and American Authors (both New York: Thomas Y. Crowell and Co.), as well as Doll Rosy's Days (Boston: K. Lothrop and Co.), all published this year.

1885
April 11–May 2 32nd Exhibition, Water Colors, Black and White Drawings, and Sculpture, Boston Art Club. Includes The Public Garden, first Boston street scene he has exhibited.

E. S. Brooks, In No Man's Land, A Wonder Story (Boston: D. Lothrop and Co.), children's book with illustrations by Hassam, published.

Places before his signature a crescent, at first rendered carefully and later more cursorily.

1886
From April 10 Special Exhibition. Works in Oil and Pastel by the Impressionists of Paris. Exhibition under the management of the American Art Association of the city of New York, American Art Association, New York. May visit exhibition here or at its second venue, National Academy of Design, New York, where it opens on May 25.

May 5–October 15 8th Exhibition of the Society of American Artists, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

August First recorded visit to Appledore, Isles of Shoals. Paints watercolor series of White Island lighthouse.

Summer Probably visits Nantucket.

Autumn With Maud sails for Europe to study in Paris. Before departure, announces intention to remain abroad for three years.

By November 20 Has moved into apartment with adjoining studio at 11, boulevard Clichy. Other residents include painters Puvis de Chavannes, Giovanni Boldini, Henri Pille, and American Frank Boggs.

By end of year Has enrolled in Académie Julian, where he works under Gustave Boulanger and Jules-Joseph Lefebvre in studio at 48, rue de faubourg Saint-Denis in tenth arrondissement. Is introduced into studio by Albert Henry Munsell. Meets Ernest L. Major there. Remains friendly with Garrett, who had been studying there with Boulanger, Lefebvre, and Jean-Paul Laurens since 1879. His tenure overlaps with that of Boston colleague Breck.

Later recalls contact with American painters Boggs, Gari Melchers, Edward Simmons, Ogden Wood, and Moses White.

M. E. Blake, Youth in Twelve Centuries (Boston: D. Lothrop and Co.), with illustrations by Hassam, published.

Charles Stuart Pratt, Bye-o-baby Ballads (Boston: D. Lathrop and Co., ca. 1886), with illustrations by Hassam, published.

1887
January 11 Writes from Paris to Boston art critic William Howe Downes, encouraging him to promote upcoming auction of his works at Noyes, Cobb and Co., noting that he depends "a good deal on the success of that sale." Writes, "I am drawing like a slave at Julians and shall until Spring" (transcribed in Hiesinger 1994, p. 177). Will later maintain he worked at Julian's for a year and a half, until spring 1888 (Lockman interview, January 31, 1927, p. 14).

March 9–10 Exhibition and Sale of Works in Oil and Water Color by Childe Hassam, Noyes, Cobb and Co., Boston. Sale grosses $3,957.50, which helps finance stay abroad.

From May 1 Paris Salon. First salon in which he exhibits. His entry, Une Averse—rue Bonaparte, shown at Goupil's, Paris, for a week after Salon closes.

Summer Begins Grand Prix series. Travels to Normandy. Visits Villiers-le-Bel, about ten miles northeast of Paris in Oise Valley near Ecouen, as guest of businessman Ernest Blumenthal and his wife, who has befriended Maud, and paints in their garden. Their house stands on property owned by a daughter of Couture.

By November 29 Has moved to 35, boulevard Rochechouart, Paris.

November Having sold first Grand Prix Day to a Mr. Williams, is working on second and larger version.

Sarah Chauncey Woolsey, Ballads of Romance and History (Boston, D. Lothrop and Co.), with illustrations by Hassam and others, published.

1888
Spring Probably leaves Académie Julian.

June Visits Le Havre.

Summer Visits Villiers-le-Bel and again paints in Blumenthals' garden. Also goes to Ecouen and Auvers-sur-Oise and possibly Sannois and Ermont.

1889
March 11–23 Exhibition and Private Sale of . . . Mr. Childe Hassam, Noyes, Cobb and Co., Boston, is a critical and financial success.

May 5–October 31 Exposition Universelle, Paris; bronze medal. Attends exhibition, admires American section.

July Paints small series of works recording Bastille Day celebrations.

Summer Visits Blumenthals at Villiers-le-Bel and paints in garden. Travels to Bougival, Saint-Cloud, and Suresnes, all on outskirts of Paris, perhaps also to Brittany. Travels to England, where he stays for half of summer, visiting London, Broadstairs, Canterbury, Chiswick, and other places, and paints watercolors.

Late summer–early autumn In preparation for return to United States, moves temporarily to smaller studio and apartment at 35, boulevard Rochechouart previously occupied by Renoir.

October 17 Spends thirtieth birthday aboard ship in transit to United States with Maud and her sister.

Late October Docks in New York. Immediately travels to Boston, where he spends about one month.

Before December Moves to New York and rents apartment and studio at 95 Fifth Avenue, at southeast corner of Seventeenth Street; building also occupied by painter Bruce Crane. Befriends painter and sculptor Frederic Remington.

1890
January Exhibition at Doll and Richards Gallery, Boston, first of many solo shows held there through 1895.

February 3–March 1 23rd Annual Exhibition, American Water Color Society, New York. At opening makes first sale of a watercolor in New York, to painter Samuel Colman. At exhibition, meets painters John H. Twachtman and J. Alden Weir, who will become his closest friends.

March 19 Elected member of American Water Color Society at its annual meeting; will remain member for rest of his life.

May 22 New York Water-Color Club incorporated. Hassam a founding member and first president, a position he retains until 1896.

June, July, and part of September Stays at Appledore, Isles of Shoals, marking beginning of pattern of making long visits to New England locales. Paints first of series showing poppies in bloom in Thaxter's garden. Probably builds painting studio to which he will frequently return during summers until about 1916. At Appledore during 1890s will meet Richard Watson Gilder, editor of Century, and Henry M. Alden, editor of Harper's New Monthly Magazine, among others.

Summer Travels to Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Autumn Bedford, Massachusetts

Joins Society of American Painters in Pastel in New York and shows in its final exhibition.

Joins Society of American Artists; will remain member for rest of his life.

Accepts invitation to join Players Club, New York; will remain member until 1931.

Boston Art Club purchases Winter Nightfall in the City, 1889 (private collection).

With F. Hopkinson Smith, Rhoda Holmes Nicholls, and Turner, makes watercolor illustrations for new edition of William Dean Howells, Venetian Life (Boston and New York: Houghton, Mifflin and Co., 1892), originally published in 1866.

1891
June 4–July 13 Exposition de Peintures et Sculptures d'Artistes Américains, Galerie Durand-Ruel, Paris

Summer Isles of Shoals

September, October Lexington, Concord, Bedford, and Belmont, Massachusetts

1891/92
His mother dies.

1892
March 2nd Annual Exhibition of Water Colors and Pastels, Art Club of Philadelphia; gold medal for watercolor for La Bouquetière et la Laitière.

May Publication in Scribner's Magazine of illustration depicting Chicago suggests he had visited the city by this time in connection with World's Columbian Exposition.

June 1–October Accepts painter Charles F. Ulrich's invitation to exhibit in sixth Internationalen Kunst-Ausstellung, Königliche Glaspalaste, Munich; Second Medal.

July, August Isles of Shoals. Paints series of garden scenes, mostly watercolors, that will become illustrations in Thaxter's, Island Garden (see 1894, below).

Autumn Lexington, Lenox, and Quincy, Massachusetts

Late in year Moves apartment and studio to Chelsea Hotel, 222 West Twenty-third Street, New York.

Late 1892–early 1893 Chicago. Adds skies and groups of figures to other artists' architectural drawings of World's Columbian Exposition buildings; these are intended for reproduction in limited edition set of chromolithographs Gems of the White City. Hired by Frank Millet to create original drawings of exposition buildings. Meets businessman and collector Charles Deering and golf expert Charles B. McDonald. Returns to New York before exposition opens.

1893
April–May Executes commission for series of drawings that will appear in Mariana Van Rensselaer, "Fifth Avenue with Pictures by Childe Hassam," Century 47 (November 1893).

From May 1 World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago; prizes in painting and watercolor, including Department of Fine Arts Medal. Does not visit exposition.

July Isles of Shoals

November 8–29 2nd Annual Exhibition of Water Colors by American Artists, Macbeth Gallery, New York. First exhibition at gallery that will become his primary New York dealer.

Moves to Rembrandt Building, 152 West Fifty-seventh Street, New York.

Award from Cleveland Art Association

1894
May 30 Visits Twachtman at his home in Greenwich, Connecticut, probably not for first time.

July Gloucester. Holds small exhibition of watercolors at his hotel cottage.

August Isles of Shoals

August 26 Thaxter dies suddenly at Appledore, after Hassam has departed.

Publication of Celia Laighton Thaxter, An Island Garden, with watercolor illustrations by Hassam (Boston and New York: Houghton, Mifflin and Co.).

Named corresponding member of Munich Secession.

1895
January 22–March 2 1st Annual Exhibition, Cleveland Art Association; first prize ($350) for watercolor Fifth Avenue, New York

January Travels to Havana with friend Frank Robinson, coal merchant who does business in Cuba. Paints in Cuba for at least one month.

February 5 Arrives in New York with Robinson aboard SS Yumuri.

March 25–April 27 17th Annual Exhibition of the Society of American Artists, New York; Webb Prize for Place Centrale and Fort Cabanas, Havana

May and June "The Insurrection in Cuba," with illustrations by Hassam, published in Harper's Weekly 39 (May 18), p. 458 (May 25), p. 490, (June 8), p. 543. Based illustrations on drawings made during stay in Cuba, although he had returned to New York before the revolt against Spanish domination, led by José Martí, began on February 24, 1895.

July Gloucester with Willard L. Metcalf

August Isles of Shoals. Following Thaxter's death and the deterioration of her garden, turns increasingly to island's rocks and surrounding sea for subject matter.

November First exhibition at Carnegie Art Galleries, Pittsburgh, as part of dedication program for Carnegie Library

Mid–late 1890s
Meets Albert Pinkham Ryder, through Weir, and Abbott H. Thayer.

1896
January 13–February 15 53rd Exhibition, Oil Paintings and Sculpture, Boston Art Club; second prize ($1,500) for Summer Sunlight, 1892 (Israel Museum, Jerusalem)

February 6–7 American Art Association Gallery, New York. Exhibition and auction of 205 works including oils, watercolors, and pastels from his entire career, considered financial disaster, with proceeds totaling about $9,600, or about $47 per picture (Hiesinger 1994, p. 104).

March Serves on New York jury for 8th Annual Exhibition of Water Colors, Pastels, and Miniatures by American Artists at Art Institute of Chicago.

June Gloucester

Summer Isles of Shoals

September In Winter Harbor, Maine, paints views of Ironbound Island and Cadillac Mountain.

Autumn Visits Twachtman in Greenwich, Connecticut, and makes first of many visits to neighboring Cos Cob.

November–January 1897 Shows in 1st Annual Exhibition, Carnegie Art Galleries, Pittsburgh; serves as member of jury for subsequent annuals.

By December 8 Sublets studio in Rembrandt Building, New York, to Miss Waring, a daughter of Colonel George E. Waring Jr., commissioner of city's Street-Cleaning Department. Relocates temporarily to Hotel Grenoble, on Seventh Avenue between Fifty-sixth and Fifty-seventh Streets, before sailing for Naples with Maud. On ship meets Charles Francis Adams, a brother of historian Henry Adams.

1897
Through January In and around Naples, paints views of Posilippo, Capri, and Bay of Naples, then travels north to Rome and Florence. Visits Charles Francis Adams at his villa outside Florence. Studies old master paintings in Florence.

By April 27 In Paris in time for opening of Paris Salon. Stays at hotel on Quai Voltaire.

May Elected associate member of Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, Paris.

Late spring/early summer Visits Blumenthals at Villiers-le-Bel and paints in their garden.

Summer Visits London and paints along River Stour in English countryside.

Late summer, early autumn Pont-Aven and Le Pouldu in Brittany

October 20 Back in New York. Sends telegram to John W. Beatty, director of Carnegie Art Galleries, presumably referring to the year's annual exhibition, asking, "Is it too late to send some [of] my best pictures [?]" (Carnegie Papers, letter 132, division H, Wle 7).

Autumn Greenwich

December 17 Resigns from Society of American Artists and with Twachtman and Weir establishes Ten American Painters, or the Ten. Other members are Frank W. Benson, Joseph R. DeCamp, Thomas W. Dewing, Metcalf, Robert Reid, Simmons, and Edmund C. Tarbell. Twachtman will die in 1902 and be replaced by William Merritt Chase in 1905.

1898
January 7 Breaks silence that had surrounded founding of Ten American Painters by relating the story to reporter friend Hutchins Hapgood, who publishes account on front page of Commercial Advertiser on January 8. The secession of the Ten from the Society of American Artists sparks acrimony among some members of the latter group and controversy in the New York art world.

March 31–April 16 1st Exhibition, Ten American Painters, Durand-Ruel Galleries, New York. No. 26, The Bather (location unknown) presumably depicts a nude and is one of the first of many Hassam will paint.

Summer Does not visit Isles of Shoals, fearing attack related to Spanish-American War.

By July 4 First visit to East Hampton, New York, where he spends time with friend painter G. Ruger Donoho. Paints July Night, apparently on July 4 in Donohos' garden.

Autumn Cos Cob, where he visits the Holleys.

November 3, 1898–January 1, 1899 3rd Annual Exhibition, Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh; Second Class (silver) medal for The Sea, displayed in tabernacle-style frame probably designed by Stanford White

Late December 1898–May 1899 Teaches at Art Students League, New York, as midyear substitute for Frank Duveneck (course unknown).

One of first 250 members elected to National Institute of Arts and Letters, founded in New York this year; will remain member for rest of his life.

1899
January 16–February 25 68th Annual Exhibition, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia; Temple Gold Medal for Pont Royal.

June–July Negotiates sale of Pont Royal to Cincinnati Art Museum: his first sale to a museum.

Summer Gloucester; Duveneck, DeCamp, and Metcalf also there. Also visits Isles of Shoals.

By September 20 New York

Autumn, Greenwich

November 2, 1899–January 1, 1900 4th Annual Exhibition, Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh; two awards, one for Fifth Avenue in Winter, which Carnegie Institute purchases for $800 early in 1900, the other for White Island Light, 1899 (Smith College Museum of Art, Northampton, Massachusetts).

Publication of Three Cities (New York: R. H. Russell) comprising forty-nine of Hassam's views of New York, Paris, and London, executed in various media.

1900
April 14–November 12 Exposition Universelle, Paris; Silver Medal for Fifth Avenue in Winter, the only painting he shows

April 23 Attends celebration of Shakespeare's birthday at Players Club, New York.

Summer Provincetown, Massachusetts

August, September Isles of Shoals, Gloucester

September 25 Returns to New York.

Joins Salmagundi Club, New York; will remain member for rest of his life.

1901
Winter Visits Chicago.

May 1–October 31 Pan-American Exposition, Buffalo; Gold Medal from exposition's Department of Fine Arts

August Isles of Shoals

September Cos Cob. Back in New York by September 27.

Late September–October Newport, Rhode Island

October Moves to Holbein Studio Building, 139 West Fifty-fifth Street, New York.

1902
Spring Unclear whether he makes repeated visits to Cos Cob from spring through November or makes it his base for most of year. Moves apartment and studio about this time and may use Holley House in Cos Cob as interim home.

Summer New Canaan and Cos Cob

August 8 Twachtman dies.

September–November Cos Cob. Other visitors include Charles Ebert, Elmer Livingston MacRae, Walter Fitch, Carolyn Mase, and possibly Weir.

November Joins artists who plan to build cooperative studio building at 27 West Sixty-seventh Street, New York; others include Allen Butler Talcott, Robert Sewell, Frank Vincent DuMond, and Henry Ward Ranger.

Elected Associate of National Academy of Design, New York.

1903
Late March After short stay at Sherwood Studio Building, 58 West Fifty-seventh Street, has moved to 27 West Sixty-seventh Street.

July First of many visits to Old Lyme, Connecticut, probably at suggestion of other artists in West Sixty-seventh Street studio building. Will become friendly with Florence Griswold, proprietor of Old Lyme boardinghouse, where he stays with DuMond, William Henry Howe, Henry Rankin Poore, and Ranger. Metcalf and Simmons join him on subsequent sojourns in Cos Cob.

August Isles of Shoals

Autumn Cos Cob and probably Branchville, Connecticut, to visit Weir

October Old Lyme. Travels to Pittsburgh to serve as a juror for 8th Annual Exhibition, Carnegie Institute.

1904
June, July Old Lyme

August, September Travels to Portland, Oregon, to install murals in library of friend Colonel C. E. S. Wood. Paints on seacoast and in Harney desert area of eastern Oregon. Visits Seattle and San Francisco.

August–October Louisiana Purchase Exposition, Saint Louis; two gold medals from Department of Fine Arts, one for oils, the other for pastels

October 17 Returns to New York.

October Juror for 9th Annual Exhibition, Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh. Writes to Wood from New York on December 13: "That is my last service on that jury!" (Wood Papers [Berkeley]).

October, November Old Lyme

By November 23 Back in New York.

December 31, 1904–January 30, 1905 80th Annual Exhibition, National Academy of Design, New York; Thomas B. Clarke Prize for Lorelei, 1904 (Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore)

Late in year Places first order for frames with Carrig-Rohane, shop founded in Winchester, Massachusetts, in 1903 by Hermann Dudley Murphy, who worked with Charles Prendergast and Walfred Thulin.

1905
January 12–28 Exhibition of Paintings by Childe Hassam, Montross Gallery, New York, first in series of solo exhibitions there

April Old Lyme

July Old Lyme, Isles of Shoals, and, by July 25, Windham, Connecticut, to visit Weir.

August–September 2 Isles of Shoals

October Old Lyme

November 2, 1905–January 1, 1906 10th Annual Exhibition, Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh; Third Class Medal for June

1906
Early in year Plans spring trip to Bermuda; excursion apparently canceled.

January 22–March 3 101st Annual Exhibition, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia; Walter Lippincott Prize for Rock Cliff: Appledore, 1903 (Indianapolis Museum of Art), and award for Summer Morning: Isles of Shoals (location unknown)

March 17–April 22 28th Annual Exhibition of the Society of American Artists, Galleries of the American Fine Arts Society, New York. Final exhibition of Society of American Artists, which will be subsumed into National Academy of Design, New York. The Ten invited to contribute. Submits June and wins Carnegie Prize ($500).

April 1906–April 1907 Negotiates sale of thirty drawings to Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh.

May Old Lyme

May 31–September 23 9th Annual Exhibition of Oil Paintings, Summer Exhibition, Worcester Art Museum, Massachusetts; Third Prize for Rock Cliff, Appledore, 1903 (Indianapolis Museum of Art)

By June 7 Old Lyme

June 9 Travels to Branchville, Connecticut, to visit Weir.

By July 7 Old Lyme

Ca. July 25–August 20/22 Isles of Shoals

Late August New London, Connecticut

By September 7 In Wainscott, Long Island, visiting friends Henry Keney Pomroy, president of New York Stock Exchange, and his wife, Annie T.

September 13 Places first order with Carrig-Rohane for its frame number 33, introduced in 1903, a cassetta form that will become known as the "Hassam pattern."

By October 8–early November Old Lyme

Elected Academician of National Academy of Design, New York.

1907
January 8 Writes from New York to Wood that he has "just returned from Philadelphia" (Wood Papers [Berkeley]).

June Wainscott, Long Island

July 11–late August Isles of Shoals. Also spends few days at Cornish colony, New Hampshire.

By September 25 In New York, writes to Wood: "I'll be in the country somewhere through October" (Wood Papers [Berkeley]).

Paints at Cos Cob. Travels to Phoenicia in Catskill Mountains, New York. Possibly visits Old Lyme.

1908
Spring Bedford Hills, New York, and possibly Old Lyme

April 11 Visits Philadelphia for opening of Paintings by Ten American Painters, group's tenth anniversary exhibition.

July, August Isles of Shoals and Old Lyme

August 28 Straham, New Hampshire

Late August–early September 7th Annual Exhibition, Public Library, Old Lyme. May visit when his paintings are shown here.

Autumn Vacates 27 West Sixty-seventh Street while new studio and apartment at 130 West Fifty-seventh Street are still under construction. Maud stays in Hotel Gregorian on West Thirty-fifth Street while Hassam travels west.

September 3 Meets Wood in Ontario.

September–October Visits San Francisco and Portland, Oregon. With Judge Charles Carey and Wood, camps for two months on Blitzen River in heart of Harney and Malheur counties of eastern Oregon, where he paints forty canvases.

November Returns to Portland with Wood. Paints several portraits of Wood's family members and friends.

Late November Returns to New York. Serves on jury of selection for Winter Exhibition, National Academy of Design, New York.

December 1 Moves to studio and apartment in new cooperative building at 130 West Fifty-seventh Street, which he will retain for rest of his life.

1909
April 8–21 Exhibition of Paintings of Eastern Oregon by Childe Hassam, Montross Gallery, New York

April 19 The Metropolitan Museum of Art acquires its first work by Hassam, Coast Scene, Isles of Shoals, as gift from George A. Hearn, who had purchased the painting in 1908.

May–June Yarmouth, Massachusetts, and Portland, Maine

June 10 From its 13th Annual Exhibition, Carnegie Institute purchases Spring Morning, 1909, first painting of Window series, for permanent collection for $6,000.

July–August Isles of Shoals

Summer Visits East Hampton.

September Spends week in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Travels to Gloucester.

Late September–October Returns briefly to New York.

Autumn Visits Old Lyme and New Haven. With Beatty begins planning retrospective exhibition to coincide with Carnegie Institute's 14th Annual Exhibition in spring 1910.

Late October Visits Remington at Ridgefield, Connecticut.

Joins Lotos Club, New York; remains member until 1916 or 1917.

1910
January 6 Indicates interest in printmaking in letter to Beatty: "You shall have a proof of the first etching I make" (Carnegie Papers, file 673).

January 23–March 20 105th Annual Exhibition, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia; Jennie Sesnan Gold Medal for Summer Sea, 1906 (Grand Rapids Art Museum)

Spring To Wainscott, Long Island, to visit Pomroys.

May 2–June 30 14th Annual Exhibition, Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, includes showing of thirty-eight of Hassam's works.

May 23 Sells four paintings to Wood for total of $5,500. First payment of $2,500 allows Hassams to travel to Europe that summer and fall; smaller installments covering balance paid between May 1913 and October 1919.

June 11 Departs for Europe with Maud on SS Saint Louis, which will dock in London.

Late June–early July Travels and visits museums in Netherlands (Haarlem, Amsterdam, The Hague), also goes to Antwerp. By July 2 in Haarlem. By July 4 in Amsterdam.

July–October Paints in Paris, Côte du Nord, Lannion, Brélévenez, Perros-Guirec, Nemours, La Clarté, Grez-sur-Loing. Later travels and paints in Spain (Madrid, Toledo, Ronda, Cordova, Seville). By about July 7 at Hôtel l'Empire, 7, rue Daunou, Paris. From hotel balcony paints July Fourteenth, Rue Daunou, 1910, important precursor of his New York Flag series of 1916–19. On July 21 "about to move on to the Côte du Nord by the sea," according to letter to Weir (Hassam Papers, reel NAA2, frame 66). By August 3 in Côte du Nord. By September 7 at Hôtel Chevillon, Grez-sur-Loing. Writes to Wood: "I am leaving here soon for Paris " and "Mrs. Hassam has been in Paris for a week." (Wood Papers, Berkeley). By September 27 at Gran Hotel Imperial, Toledo. Writes to Wood that Toledo is "tremendously interesting and one could paint here forever" (Wood Papers (Berkeley).

By October 17 In Gibraltar. Departs for New York today, his birthday.

October 28 Arrives in New York aboard SS Prinzess Irene.

November 17 Attends funeral of John La Farge at Church of Saint Francis Xavier, New York.

December 8 Attends annual meeting of American Academy of Arts and Letters at New Theatre, New York.

December 13, 1910–January 22, 1911 3rd Exhibition of Oil Paintings by Contemporary American Artists, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.; Corcoran Bronze Medal for Springtime (location unknown)

1911
February Sells Contre-Jour, 1910, to Art Institute of Chicago.

May–June Travels alone to Europe. Visits Paris but cancels planned trip to Venice because he fears outbreak of disease; returns to New York on SS Kronprinzessin Cecilie via Cherbourg.

June 29 Arrives in New York.

July East Hampton

By July 20–August Isles of Shoals

Early September Rockingham, New Hampshire, then possibly Branchville, Connecticut

September 10 Goes to Cos Cob to visit Twachtman.

September 12 New York

December 28, 1911–January 15, 1912 Exhibition of Oil Paintings, Water Colors, Pastels and Drawings by Childe Hassam, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., includes fifty-nine works.

Paints at Cos Cob. Sells The Breakfast Room to Worcester Art Museum, Massachusetts.

1912
January 18 Places last order for frames from Carrig-Rohane.

March 22 Places first documented order for frames from Milch Gallery, New York, launching relationship that will endure for rest of his life.

April 25–May 12 45th Annual Exhibition, American Water Color Society, New York; W. T. Evans Prize ($300) for The Minuet (location unknown)

June In Old Lyme, paints Twenty-sixth of June, Old Lyme to honor Maud's fiftieth birthday.

July In Isles of Shoals, begins series of watercolors he will call "The Isles of Shoals Set, 1912–16."

Summer Cos Cob

October Cos Cob

December 17, 1912–January 26, 1913 4th Exhibition of Oil Paintings by Contemporary Artists, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.; First William A. Clark Prize and Corcoran Gold Medal ($2,000) for The New York Window, which Corcoran purchases for its permanent collection.

Autumn Takes up etching and is encouraged by printmaker Kerr Eby, with whom he works in Cos Cob. Introduced to David Keppel, who will exhibit his prints at Frederick Keppel and Co., New York, from 1915 until 1932.

Late in year Declines offer of membership in Association of American Painters and Sculptors, formed in 1911 to exhibit work of progressive living American and foreign artists. The association, at odds with conservative National Academy of Design, will present Armory Show in February 1913.

Father dies.

1913
January Through friend architect Henry Bacon receives commission for mural, Fruits and Flowers, for Panama-Pacific International Exposition to be held in San Francisco in 1915.

February 17–March 15 Shows twelve works in International Exhibition of Modern Art, at the Armory of the 69th Infantry, Association of American Painters and Sculptors, New York; shows thirteen works when exhibition travels to Art Institute of Chicago in March–April.

Summer Probably Isles of Shoals

September Spends week or two in Cos Cob.

1914
February–March Travels to San Francisco to complete and install Fruits and Flowers at Panama-Pacific International Exposition. Mural is placed over entrance to Palace of Education on west side of Court of Palms in Bernard Maybeck's colossal Palace of Fine Arts. Stays at Bohemian Club. Falls ill and is briefly hospitalized. Later visits San Anselmo, Sausalito, Point Lobos, and Carmel.

June Cos Cob. Paints Self-Portrait.

August Isles of Shoals and Boston

Late summer Cos Cob. Travels to Belfast, Maine.

September 13 Fire sweeps Appledore, destroying hotel and cottages, including Hassam's studio.

November 7 Old Lyme

1915
February 20–December 14 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, San Francisco, includes separate gallery with thirty-eight paintings by Hassam, as well as his Fruit and Flowers.

May–June Visits painters Gifford Beal and Reynolds Beal at Newburgh, New York. Visits West Point, Mount Kisco, Poughkeepsie, Fishkill, and other places in area. Paints "Hudson River Set" of watercolors.

June–August Cos Cob. Begins serious work in etching. Writes to Wood on July 14: "I am making etchings—Weir has been starting me for years—So this year I am in it—I would like to have you see some proof—There is a press out here and I am surprised that I can print so well." (Wood Papers [Berkeley]).

August Long Ridge, Connecticut, and Portsmouth, Exeter, and Stratham, New Hampshire. Possibly visits Isles of Shoals.

September Old Lyme

Mid-September Cos Cob, after brief visit to Boston

October, November Cos Cob

November 27–December 11 Exhibition of Pictures by Childe Hassam, Montross Gallery, New York, includes "Hudson River Group," "California Group," "Mount Hood Group," and "Isles of Shoals Group."

November 30–December 18 Exhibition of Etchings and Dry Points by Childe Hassam, Frederick Keppel and Co., New York, his first show of prints.

Late November–early December Sits on jury of selection for Winter Exhibition, National Academy of Design, New York.

Possibly visits Gloucester.

1916
April Buffalo

April 27 Attends 91st Annual Dinner of National Academy of Design at Delmonico's, New York.

May 13 Preparedness Day Parade held in New York, first major public demonstration in support of World War I. Flag displays inspire Hassam to paint Flag series.

June, July New York. Paints first major canvas of Flag series: The Fourth of July, 1916.

July Cos Cob, Newburgh, and Gloucester

Summer Probably makes last visit to Isles of Shoals.

August East Hampton, Newport, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire

September Boston, Newfields, and Stratham, New Hampshire

October Chicago

December Washington, D.C.

Joins Coffee House, New York; will be resident member until 1927 and nonresident member 1928–35.

1917
January 4–20 Exhibition of Pictures by Childe Hassam, Montross Gallery, New York, includes two of earliest Flag paintings.

Early in year Becomes founding member and first chairman of Painter-Gravers of America, association seeking to encourage development of artist-print in United States and to educate public about prints through exhibitions and lectures. Other founding members include George Bellows, John Marin, John Sloan, and Weir.

June Catskills, New York, and Exeter, New Hampshire

July East Hampton

August Newfields

August–September Stratham and Portsmouth

September Poland Springs, Maine

October One of thirty-three artists who sign petition opposing erection of replicas of George Grey Barnard's statue of Abraham Lincoln in Paris and London, calling image an "unworthy representation" (New York Times, October 26, 1917, p. 14).

Late in year Begins to make lithographs.

1918
March 13–April 21 93rd Annual Exhibition, National Academy of Design, New York; Second Altman Prize ($500) for Allies Day, May 1917.

April 16 Arrested in Riverside Park, New York, for sketching camouflaged American transport ship anchored in Hudson.

June Bethel, Connecticut, and Boston

July–September Gloucester. Poses for bust-length portrait by sculptor Charles Grafly (plaster, 1918, Wichita State University; bronze, 1918, Philadelphia Museum of Art).

Summer Visits East Hampton.

September East Hampton. Winter Sickle Pears inscribed East Hampton Sept 24th, 1918.

October Cos Cob

November 15–December 7 Exhibition of a Series of Paintings of the "Avenue of the Allies" by Childe Hassam, Durand-Ruel Galleries, New York, first major exhibition of Flag series

Works as printmaker, producing only lithographs.

1918–20
Places at least ten orders for Whistler-style frames from Milch Gallery, New York.

1919
February 6–27 Exhibition of Pictures by Ten American Painters, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., group's last exhibition.

February 6–28 52nd Annual Exhibition of the American Water Color Society, New York; Alexander M. Hudnut prize ($200) for Mt. Beacon from Broadway, Newburgh, 1916 (Colby College Museum of Art, Waterville, Maine)

February 27 A guest of honor at tea at Ritz-Carlton Hotel, New York, held by Book Committee of the Art War Relief. Also honored is Alfred Noyes, whose poems "The Avenue of the Allies" and "Victory" book committee is publishing with Hassam's Allies Day, May 1917, as volume's frontispiece.

February Serves on jury of selection for 94th Annual Exhibition, National Academy of Design, New York, and on Advisory Board of Society of Independent Artists, New York.

April 23 Orders frame that incorporates his initial into design from Milch Gallery, New York, his first recorded order of this type and first such design by an American artist.

May Completes last picture in Flag series, Victory Day, May 1919.

July Southampton and East Hampton

Late July, September Gloucester

August Purchases Willow Bend, at 48 Egypt Lane, East Hampton, house built in 1722. Starting in 1920 and for rest of his life lives there from about May through October each year.

September Rockport, Massachusetts, Boston, and East Hampton

October Newburgh and vicinity

November Sues art dealer Frank K. M. Rehn to recover possession of painting Flower Girl Selling Peonies, 1890 (location unknown), which Hassam claims was stolen from him in 1903. Rehn believes he purchased painting in good faith.

November 9–December 14 17th Annual Philadelphia Water Color Exhibition, and the 18th Annual Exhibition of Miniatures, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia; Philadelphia Water Color Prize

December 8 Weir dies.

1920
February 8–March 28 115th Annual Exhibition, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia; Gold Medal of Honor for lifetime achievement

October Montauk, Long Island, and Bethel, Connecticut

November 17 Elected to American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York, chair number 41; remains member for rest of his life.

"In 1920 he said the revenue from his brush that year was $100,000" ("Art Fund Created by Hassam's Will," New York Times, November 13, 1935, p. 18). 2002 equivalent is $896,502.

1921
February 7 Attends dinner and reception in honor of British sculptor Claire Sheridan hosted by Condé Nast and Frank Crowninshield at Coffee House, New York.

April Sits on jury for sixth competition of John Armstrong Chaloner Concours at National Academy of Design, New York.

September 22 With Cass Gilbert, Edwin H. Blashfield, Herbert Adams, Daniel Chester French, and William C. Brownell, appointed to Art Committee of American Academy of Arts and Letters, on which he will serve for many years.

September Camps at Montauk Point, Long Island, with artist friends Jack Roudebush, Albert Smith, Reynolds Beal, and Gifford Beal.

1922
Spring Member of committee, with Joseph Pennell and Timothy Cole, at American Academy of Arts and Letters to choose works for large show of American graphic arts to be held at Academy's building, 15 West Eighty-first Street, March 16–April 16. New York Times (March 5, 1922) reports that exhibition aims "to demonstrate that America in this branch of art, although not generally known, occupies a far more distinguished place than other countries which for years past have been holding annual exhibits."

April 25 Attends dinner at American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York, in honor of critic André Chevrillon and dramatist Maurice Donnay.

1923
February 22 Attends reception celebrating opening of new building of American Academy of Arts and Letters on West 155th Street.

Autumn Serves as Assistant Commissioner of Painting of American Section of 2nd Roman Biennial Exposition, November 4, 1923–April 30, 1924. Selects paintings along with Cecilia Beaux, Frederick Dielman, Frank Dumond, Gari Melchers, and Charles Hawthorne.

Purchases four acres of land adjacent to Willow Bend.

Probably visits Peacham, Vermont.

1924
April Baltimore.

November 15–December 7 Winter Exhibition, National Academy of Design, New York; First Altman Prize ($1,000) for Miss Ingram, 1923 (private collection)

December 22 Attends luncheon at Hotel Astor, New York, part of campaign supporting completion of Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in upper Manhattan.

1925
Late March–early April Travels to Savannah, stopping at Baltimore, Richmond, and Charleston.

December 18 Attends dinner hosted by Nicholas Murray Butler, president of Columbia University, in honor of John St. Loe Strachey, former editor of London Spectator.

Limited edition of Catalogue of the Etchings and Dry-Points of Childe Hassam, with introduction by Royal Cortissoz, published (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons).

1926
March 20–April 11 101st Annual Exhibition, National Academy of Design, New York; First Altman Landscape Prize for Flight Into Egypt, 1925 (American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York)

March Washington, D.C.

April Harper's Ferry, West Virginia

June 1–December 1 Sesqui-Centennial International Exposition, Philadelphia; Gold Medal in painting from Department of Fine Arts for Miss Ingram, 1923 (private collection)

1927
January 25–February 10 Sits for five interviews with DeWitt McClellan Lockman, New York portrait painter, later recording secretary, New-York Historical Society, and president, National Academy of Design.

Early February Sets out for California, stopping in New Orleans, Corpus Christi and El Paso, and Yuma, Arizona. Visits Los Angeles, Coronado Beach, and Santa Barbara and spends one day in Tijuana. By March 2 at Hotel Mayfair, Los Angeles. By March 16 at Hotel del Coronado, Coronado Beach. By March 25 at El Mirasol Hotel, Santa Barbara. By February 12 at Saint Charles, New Orleans. On February 19 traveling aboard Sunset Limited on Southern Pacific Line. By February 21 at Hotel Paseo del Norte, El Paso.

By April 7 New York

April 21–October 21 Exhibition of the Works of Childe Hassam, American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York. Hassam attends the opening with his wife.

1928
February Visits Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Summer Sponsors memorial exhibition of paintings and etchings by Thomas Moran at Clinton Academy, East Hampton.

Visits Annapolis, Maryland.

Joins Union Club, New York; remains member for rest of his life.

1929
March 9–April 8 Exhibition of a Retrospective Group of Paintings Representative of the Life Work of Childe Hassam, N.A., Albright Art Gallery, Buffalo

April Williamsburg, Virginia

1930
September Andover, Massachusetts

Autumn Serves on jury of selection and awards and hanging committee for 12th Annual Exhibition, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

1931
January 10–February 9 15th Annual Exhibition of Contemporary Etchings, Brooklyn Society of Etchers; Nathan I. Bijur Prize of $25 for best print, for Skimhampton Road, 1929

Ca. May–November East Hampton. The Metropolitan Museum of Art begins filming scenes there for one-reel silent film Childe Hassam, Artist.

June Lends group of his recent East Hampton etchings to East Hampton Free Library.

August 19 Opening ceremonies at Guild Hall Museum, East Hampton. Hassam dedicates main gallery to memory of Thomas Moran, whom he credits with establishing the village as an artists' retreat.

November 1–December 6 Shows only prints in 29th Annual Philadelphia Water Color Exhibition and 30th Annual Exhibition of Miniatures, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia; Joseph Pennell Memorial Gold Medal for Etching

1932
January Release of Childe Hassam, Artist, first film in series on important American artists produced by The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Hassam shown swimming, painting, and golfing in East Hampton and looking at his own paintings in Museum.

By February 3 Group of 100 Etchings by Childe Hassam, Leonard Clayton Gallery, New York

March 11 Contributes decorative panel of "baroque" design to Abstract Ball, benefit held by Contemporary Arts, organization that supports the work of young artists.

September 14 "The Bicentennial Pageant of George Washington," portfolio of twenty original etchings by American artists, presented to President Hoover at White House. Final etching, Washington at Mount Vernon, by Hassam. Portfolio later published in edition of 1,000 by George Washington Memorial Association, Inc.

1933
By February 12–March 15 Etchings by Childe Hassam, Adam Clayton Gallery, New York, shows "East Hampton Set" (forty) and "New York Set" (thirty-four).

October 17 Celebrates birthday by "reviewing with satisfaction his ability to continue his work and to take a dip in the ocean at the age of 74" (New York Times, October 22, 1933, p. N3).

November Travels to Boston.

December 8, 1933–February 1, 1934 Complete Etched Work of Childe Hassam, Leonard Clayton Gallery, New York. Includes 376 plates and coincides with gallery's publication of its illustrated catalogue raisonné of Hassam's etchings and drypoints, Handbook of the Complete Set of Etchings and Drypoints of Childe Hassam, N.A. . . .

1934
May–ca. October 19 East Hampton

May 8 Awarded Gold Medal for Distinguished Services to Fine Art by American Art Dealers Association, New York. Does not attend awards dinner.

October 17 Spends seventy-fifth birthday "walking through the Welds, motoring in the near-by woods, enjoying the autumnal coloring." Does not take his regular swim because of the "low temperatures" (New York Times, October 18, 1934, p. 24).

October Taken ill in New York, remains unwell through winter.

1935
March 13–April 9 110th Annual Exhibition, National Academy of Design, New York; Saltus Medal for Merit for Evening: Pont Aven, 1897 (private collection)

Early April Hassam, seriously ill, and wife leave New York for East Hampton.

August 27 Dies at Willow Bend at age seventy-five.

August 28 Funeral services held at Willow Bend for small group of family and friends. Reverend William Grainger, rector of Saint Luke's Episcopal Church, East Hampton, presides. Burial at Cedar Lawn Cemetery, East Hampton.

November 13 Public announcement of Hassam's bequest to American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York, of his studio contents—326 oil paintings (including 19 decorative panels), 89 watercolors, and 33 pastels—and his recommendation that proceeds from their sale enrich The Hassam Fund, with which works by American and Canadian artists would be purchased for presentation to American and Canadian museums.

Before her death in 1946 Maud Hassam will distribute groups of her husband's prints to museums throughout the country.

Awarded John Elliot Memorial Prize, Newport Art Club.

1936
April Hassam's gross estate, made up mainly of stocks and bonds—and exclusive of works of art bequeathed to American Academy of Arts and Letters—appraised at $212,710, equivalent to about $2,757,034 in 2002.