Hoboken Museum Kicks Off 2 New Exhibits

Displays feature century-old photography and wetlands paintings from a Dutch artist

Feb. 6, 2026 at 2:55pm

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The Hoboken Historical Museum has opened two new exhibits - one showcasing the work of Hoboken's "camera fiend" photography clubs from 1889 to 1934, and another featuring paintings and drawings of the local Meadowlands wetlands by Dutch artist Hens Breet. The exhibits will run through early March.

Why it matters

The exhibits highlight Hoboken's rich history and artistic community, with the photography exhibit showcasing the city's changing landscape through the lens of early amateur photographers, and the wetlands paintings offering a unique Dutch perspective on the natural beauty of the local environment.

The details

The "What They Saw" photography exhibit features glass negatives and old photos from Hoboken photography clubs a century ago, when members were known as "camera fiends" for their passion for capturing the city with heavy, cumbersome equipment. The "Reflected Lowlands" exhibit features the work of Hens Breet, a Union City resident who grew up in the Netherlands and found inspiration in the Meadowlands and Hudson County wetlands after moving to the area.

  • The exhibits opened on Sunday, February 6, 2026.
  • The photography exhibit covers the period from 1889 to 1934.
  • The wetlands painting exhibit will run through March 8, 2026.

The players

Ed Duff

A retired Hoboken teacher who brought a group of glass negatives to the Hoboken Historical Museum several years ago.

Bob Foster

The president of the Hoboken Historical Museum, who kept the glass negatives and put together the photography exhibit.

Hens Breet

A Union City resident who grew up in the Netherlands and created the paintings and drawings featured in the "Reflected Lowlands" exhibit, inspired by the local Meadowlands and wetlands.

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What they’re saying

“The people in the clubs were called 'camera fiends,' apparently, it was a popular thing to join back then.”

— Bob Foster, President, Hoboken Historical Museum

“Growing up in the Netherlands, Hens was shaped by landscapes defined by water, lowlands, and the careful balance between human habitation and natural systems. Arriving in New Jersey, he found a resonance in the Meadowlands, the tidal wetlands, and marshes of Hudson County.”

— Hoboken Historical Museum

“It's a real honor to be here.”

— Hens Breet, Artist

What’s next

The photography exhibit "What They Saw" and the wetlands painting exhibit "Reflected Lowlands" will both continue to run at the Hoboken Historical Museum through early March 2026.

The takeaway

These two new exhibits at the Hoboken Historical Museum provide a fascinating look into the city's artistic and cultural history, from the early amateur photographers who documented Hoboken's changing landscape to the Dutch artist who found inspiration in the local wetlands. The exhibits highlight Hoboken's vibrant creative community and its deep connection to the natural environment.