University of Arizona

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Duane Spencer Hatch Collection

Group Photo

Duane Spencer Hatch (1888-1963) A pioneer in rural reconstruction and community development,Duane Spencer Hatch (1888-1963) graduated from Yale University and Cornell University for a PhD in Rural Sociology, Economics, and Education, which he received in 1928. In 1916, Hatch went to India and Mesopotamia for service with British and Indian troops during World War I, under the auspices of the Indian National Council, Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). He later returned to India, with his wife Emily Hatch, to begin his long career in rural reconstruction under the support of the YMCAs of India and was later appointed to the United Nations' Food and Agricultural Committee. Starting in the 1940s, he directed community developments in Mexico. After retiring from the YMCA, he served as the director of an agricultural project for the Pan American Union in Costa Rica. Hatch then went on to establish a Community Development Center for the United Nations (UNESCO) in Sri Lanka (formally known as Ceylon). From 1957-1960, he worked in Parker, Arizona as the Director of Community Development for the Colorado River Tribes Reservation. He then retired to Tucson, Arizona where he became a consultant to the Sociology Department at the University of Arizona and Director of Field Work for students working towards their MA Degree in Community Development.

The inclusive dates for this collection are 1912-1982, with the bulk of the material dating from 1940-1970. The materials in the collection relate to Duane Spencer Hatch, his personal life and his research. Personal correspondence, publicity materials from his popular works,Up From Poverty and Toward Freedom From Want, and materials from a possible book about the life and work of Hatch is found in this collection. His wife, Emily Hatch, accompanied Hatch to rural locations to aid in his research and to do some research on her own. Personal materials from her include business correspondence, speeches conducted, and written reports and typescripts. Hatch’s research materials about rural reconstruction, community development, and fundamental education from Arizona, India, Sri Lanka (formally known as Ceylon), Costa Rica, and Mexico are contained in this collection. Research materials include personal diaries and notebooks, reports, correspondence, and hand written notes. Hatch worked with multiple organizations including UNESCO, YMCAs of India, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and the International Alliance of Women. Materials pertaining to these organizations include reports, correspondence, and publicity materials. The collection also contains photographs, personal photo albums, prints, positives, and negatives of the Hatch family and the locations and villages that they researched and visited. The collection contains movie reels and access copies in DVD format of movies made by Duane Spencer Hatch and one particular movie,The Mexico Story, was a collaboration with his brother, Ira Hatch. Audio materials include records and access copies in CD format of talks given by Duane Spencer Hatch about the work he has done in India, Mexico, and Costa Rica.