Highland Farm, Oscar Hammerstein's Home for 20 years

The Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center is proud to announce the new Traveling Oscar Hammerstein II Museum as part of the campaign to #SaveOscarsHome. Lyricist Oscar Hammerstein wrote over 800 songs, including music from The Sound of Music, The King and I, Show Boat, Oklahoma! and South Pacific. Highland Farm in Doylestown was his residence for the last 20 years of his life. The Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center wishes to preserve this unique landmark in much the same way that the Michener Museum, Mercer Museum, Fonthill and Pearl S. Buck International have added to Buck's County's rich cultural landscape. However, its future is in jeopardy.

#SaveOscarsHome

The traveling museum was created as a way to generate awareness as the non-profit seeks to save Highland Farm, which is in jeopardy of sale and subdivision. The organization seeks an initial raise of $2 million dollars.

The Traveling Museum will showcase some of Oscar’s personal items, as well as prized memorabilia. View items such as Oscar's famous rocking chair, photos and album covers, replica of his Underwood typewriter, set piece from the original Broadway run of South Pacific, the “Highland Farm” sign that hung outside his home, and much more.

In addition to displaying key pieces, the Museum communicates all the important messages the public needs to know. Find out what is at stake, the history, the phases involved to secure, restore and renovate the property, the time frame and deadlines, and most importantly, how to get involved and help!

Hopefully, these treasures will one day soon be housed in the home as a destination for generations of Broadway fans and movie goers. But while fundraising is underway, the public will be available to the view these pieces throughout the museum’s tour.

Traveling Museum Tour & Kick-Off Event

The Traveling Museum will visit numerous venues over the next 12 months, including The Mercer Museum, Delaware Valley University, Penn Community Bank, and other high trafficked areas.

A Kick-Off is planned at Fox & Holly, only minutes from Oscar’s home, on Sunday, November 3 at 11 a.m. and is open to the public. Chairman of the Bucks County Commissioners Robert Loughery, State Rep. Wendy Ullman, Mayor of Doylestown Ron Strouse and the non-profit’s board members will attend the event.

Owner of Fox & Holly Karen Thompson explains what motivated her to house the exhibit:

“I am always looking for opportunities to support our community, and the people and places that make where we live so special. As a fan of the theater, I’m happy to do my part and offer the traveling museum exposure in our family run department store Fox & Holly. Part of Oscar Hammerstein II legacy lives in that home and I am happy to support the non-profit as they attempt to save and preserve it.”

The Traveling Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Visit www.HammersteinMusuem.org to learn more and become part of the movement.

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