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Rare daguerreotype of Joseph Hooker displayed

The Joseph Hooker House has recently received a daguerreotype of a young Lt. Col. Joseph Hooker. It is believed to have been taken around 1849, after he was in the Mexican War and can now be viewed in Sonoma. 

  The rare daguerreotype was taken by Maacus Root Studio in New York City.  He wears the regulation 1847-51 dress uniform of a field grade officer with two rows of buttons.

  His shoulder strap bears an old leaf for lieutenant colonel, which was his rank after the Mexican War.

  Valley resident an historian Dr. Peter Meyerhof found it on an obscure website and obtained permission from the host to copy it for use in the Joseph Hooker House only. 

  The museum is open Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 1 to 4 p.m. and is free of charge. The Joseph Hooker House is located at 414 First St. E., Sonoma.