The John Hay Center - John Milton Hay

The John Hay Center is dedicated to John Milton Hay, an influential and productive advocate for the people. The Birthplace of John Milton Hay serves as a lasting tribute to his legacy. [More Details]

Hay began his public career as a secretary to Abraham Lincoln. His diary and writings during the Civil War are basic historical sources. He is credited by some as being the author of Lincoln's letter to the Widow Bixby, consoling her for the loss of her sons in the war. Hay was present when Lincoln died after being shot at Fords Theatre. Hay and his fellow secretary, John G. Nicolay, wrote a 10-volume biography of Lincoln and prepared an edition of his collected works.

Hay served several positions and served under five different U.S. Presidents. He held several official positions in Washington including ambassador to Great Britain in 1897. Some of the recognition of the longstanding community of interests between Great Britain and the United States came as a result of Hay's stay there.

In August 1898, Hay was named Secretary of State and helped negotiate the Treaty of Paris . His contributions included the adoption of an open door policy in China and the preparations for the Panama Canal.

Additional Recognitions:

Personal Secretary to Abraham Lincoln
Assistant Secretary of State to Rutherford B Hayes & James Garfield
Secretary of State to William McKinley & Theodore Roosevelt 1897
Ambassador to England under William McKinley
Signed a Series of treaties to enable building of Panama Canal

Additional References: The Library of Congress

About the Artist

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About the Artist

The image John Milton Hay is from a painting by David L. Floyd and was a gift to The John Hay Center at the time of its opening in 1968

David L. Floyd was born in Washington County, Indiana on April 2, 1925.

He served in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during WW II

After his discharge from the Navy, he opened an art studio on the home of Helen Reid, another Salem artist.

In 1968 David painted the portrait of John Hay, which is on display in the main foyer of the Stevens Museum. In 1969, he completed the 6' X 6' Indiana State Seal which hangs in the courtroom of the Washington County Court House.

Several of his paintings of prominent Salem citizens of years past are in the Stevens Museum. One of his paintings is in the State House in Indianapolis and many are in homes and businesses throughout Salem and Southern Indiana.

Mr. Floyd was proficient in landscapes and seascapes but was best known for his portraits.

He died in January 1999 and is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Salem.

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