Helena Modjeska Chase

Helena Modjeska Chase Johnson Drea (born Helena Modjeska Chase, September 23, 1900 - December 22, 1986) was a versatile artist, writer, poet, musician, photographer, and horsewoman.

She had notable achievements as an illustrator of children's books and oil painter.

Several of her books have been included in the Library of Congress collection.

Helena Modjeska Chase was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on September 23, 1900.

Her father, Clement Chase, was a prominent publisher and editor of Omaha's "Excelsior" newspaper, as well as a bookstore owner.

Her mother, Lula Belle Edwards Chase, came from a socialite background and had ancestors who arrived on the Mayflower.

Helena Modjeska Chase was the fourth and youngest child of Clement and Lula Belle Chase.

She was named after the renowned Polish actress Helena Modjeska, who was her godmother.

The Chase family had a vibrant social life and often hosted gatherings, attracting artists, writers, actors, and dancers to their home in Omaha.

Helena's grandfather, Col. Champion Spaulding Chase, had served as the mayor of Omaha.

He was also instrumental in bringing Wagnerian Operas to the city, contributing to the cultural enrichment of the community.

It is worth noting that Helena Modjeska Chase's godmother, Helena Modjeska, was a celebrated Shakespearean actress known for her tragic roles.

She had a close friendship with the esteemed Polish pianist and President, Paderewski.

Helena Modjeska Chase's home in the Catskill Mountains still holds Paderewski's concert grand piano as a treasured relic of that era.

The Chase family's illustrious legacy, marked by their contributions to the arts and their involvement in the community, left a lasting impact on Omaha's cultural scene.

After attending kindergarten and public school, Helena Chase continued her education at Brownell Hall, an Episcopal Church School for young ladies near Omaha.

During the summers of 1913 and 1914, she also studied at the Art Institute in Chicago.

At the age of 14, Helena Chase displayed her artistic talent, following in her mother's footsteps.

Her mother's watercolor work and Helena's own small statuette called "Day Dreams" were often exhibited together.

They had both received art lessons at the Art Institute in Chicago.

In 1916, Helena Chase studied at the Latin school in Chicago and took art and dancing lessons at the Chamber's Academy Ballroom.

She also attended the Mary C. Wheeler School in Providence, Rhode Island, where she was elected one of the editors of the school magazine, the Quill.

During her time there, she excelled in tennis doubles matches.

At the age of 16, in September 1917, Helena Chase designed a special poster for a fundraising effort to support Unit No.1 of the American Fund for French Wounded Civilian Relief.

Her poster was selected for exhibition in New York and displayed at the Corcoran Art Gallery in Washington, D.C.

Helena Chase Johnson's educational journey included attending various schools such as the Art Institute of Chicago, Mary C. Wheeler School in Providence, Rhode Island, and the New York School of Fine and Applied Arts, where she graduated in 1923.

She married Harry McClure Johnson in 1923 and settled in Winnetka, Illinois.

In 1923, Helena Chase married Harry McClure Johnson, a distinguished trademark attorney who had achieved recognition in New York and Chicago.

Harry McClure Johnson was a graduate of Princeton University.

The couple settled in Winnetka, Illinois, where they lived in a beautiful mansion.

They employed a dedicated and capable staff to provide them with attentive service, reflecting their esteemed position in society.

In March 1932, her husband, Harry McClure Johnson, passed away at the age of 46 in Toronto, Canada.

After his death, Helena moved with her five children to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where she purchased a ranch known as Pine Springs Ranch.

She taught art at the Perry Mansfield Camp and raised her children on the 1000-acre horse ranch.

Helena Chase Johnson spent the summer months of 1933 at her home on part of the Henry Cook ranch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

In 1965, Helena Chase Johnson achieved a significant milestone in her education by receiving a Master of Arts Degree in Education from the Putney Graduate School of Teacher Education in Vermont.

She dedicated her thesis to studying the art and lives of children from various parts of the world, conducting extensive research during her travels to 38 countries, including those behind the Iron Curtain.

Her commitment to education and thirst for knowledge were evident throughout her career.

Helena Chase Johnson had a successful teaching career, including roles in the Art Department at Putney School and Hickory Ridge School in Vermont.

She also served as the acting head of the Art Department at Perry-Mansfield Camp in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.