The Marshall Hawkins Archive is a non-profit that serves to preserve the extensive collection of photographs Marshall Hawkins took throughout his lifetime. With a photographic career spanning over six decades, Hawkins documented the sporting lifestyle up and down the East Coast and throughout the Midwest, with his primary focus being Fox Hunting and Steeplechase Racing throughout his native Virginia. Hawkins' images give us an in-depth look into the quintessential sporting lifestyle that was so prevalent throughout Virginia in the mid 1900s.
Though Hawkins' primary focus was certainly horses, he also photographed local events, weddings, parties and local political fundraisers.
Known for his beautifully composed images, dramatic skies and signature green mat board with flowing white script captions, Hawkins was as much a staple of the Virginia landscape as his subjects.
Recognizable Faces and Featured Images
Below are several of Hawkins’ more recognizable images, showcasing his style of dramatic skies, central focus, hand tinting and his signature green mat board with white script. Also included below are several images featuring prominent figures in the local and national landscape.
Triple Crown Winner
"Secretariat" at the 1973
Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Maryland.
Bobby Fenwick riding "Jay Trump" with the Green
Valley Hounds.
Carley Blunt riding "Silver Lining" during a horse show.
Likely Hawkins' most recognizable photo, this captures Jacqueline Kennedy falling off a horse over a jump while out fox hunting. Mrs. Kennedy went on to remount her horse and continue the day of hunting no worse for wear. After being granted permission from the first family, this photo went on to grace the cover of Life Magazine.
For many finished prints, Hakwins chose to mat them with green mat board accented with white script titles, such as this image captioned "At the Old Dominion Point to Point March 1985.
Image features Eva Dahlgren in front atop "Olympic Run" followed closely by Patti Carsel riding "Splashy Lea"
President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan arrive at a fundraising event held at Senator John Warmer's Atoka Farm in Upperville, Virginia.
The Archive's Mission
The archive's goal is not only to preserve the actual physical images but also to make the collection accessible
to the general public. To do so, every image, transparency, and negative is scanned to produce a high-quality digital file and then uploaded onto the international database "Internet Archive." This free platform allows the collection to be seen and appreciated
by anyone, anywhere in the world.
By preserving the collection, we also preserve the visual history of the area Hawkins grew up in. Our mission is as much looking after Hawkins’ incredible artwork as it is promoting the history of our region and its incredible culture.