By Diane Tripp
During the summer of 2022, the Raton Museum held a special exhibit of local artist Nina Thomas Strong who passed in March 2021. Nina's love of nature and the Southwest are evident in her many paintings, which will be on display and for purchase during this exhibit. As per her wishes, funds generated by the sales of her paintings will support the local Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) Sisterhood Chapter N that supports the educational needs of women wishing to pursue a college degree or continuing education.
Nina was raised on a ranch near Roy, New Mexico. Although she lived in several different places, she returned to Raton in 1993 where she was an active member of the community, as well as PEO until she passed in 2021 at 99 years of age.
Nina Strong (2019)
Nina Strong is known for her role as one of Fred Harvey's New Mexico Harvey Girls, which were a group of young women who originally ventured into the Wild West during the late 1800s to serve as hostesses and waitresses at strategically placed restaurants along the route of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad. Harvey Houses were a unique attraction along the nation's growing railroad system. According to krtnradio.com, "Raton's Harvey House had one important claim to fame-the very first Harvey girls hired by the Harvey Company staffed the Raton location." Nina was employed by the La Castaneda Harvey House in Las Vegas, New Mexico while being a full-time student at Highlands University.
Entrepreneur Fred Harvey advertised:
“Looking for young women between the ages of 18 and 30 years of age, of good moral character, attractive, and intelligent for the wage of $17.50 a month plus room and board.”
It is estimated that during the Harvey House era, over 100,000 young women responded to the ads. The Harvey Girls brought good food and fine dining to the western territories. They were the first national group of adventurous, bright, and independent working women in the American West.
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