This is Highland Farm, which became Oscar and his family’s primary residence in 1940 and continued to be until his death from cancer in 1960, shortly after his 65th birthday. It was in this home where he did his greatest work, where his collaboration with Richard Rodgers gave him a fresh start and took his career to new heights.
Who was Oscar Clendenning Hammerstein II? As one biography states, “perhaps the most influential lyricist and librettist of the American theater.” I would remove the “perhaps” from that description, as attention was first drawn to his talents through an earlier collaboration with composer Jerome Kern as the lyricist and librettist for their groundbreaking musical Showboat … which was first staged in 1927 and continues to see revival productions to this day.
However, the joining of his talents with Richard Rodgers produced some of the most notable musicals in Broadway history, beginning with Oklahoma in 1943 and followed by Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, and The Sound of Music which came to the stage just prior to Oscar’s passing.
All or most of this you might already know, especially if you have any interest in the musical theater. So, why am I writing about Oscar Hammerstein at this time? Because two different items recently came to my attention.
First, I live in Montgomery County, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D. C. Close by, we have an historic playhouse known as the Olney Theatre and they will be staging a new production of South Pacific beginning at the end of this month.
Then, of greater long-term significance is that members of the Hammerstein family and others have joined together in an effort to acquire Highland Farm — the home pictured above and its property — to establish the Hammerstein Center, the full name of which is The Oscar Hammerstein Museum & 
Theatre Education Center. For the past 30 years, the home has been a bed-and-breakfast … however, if sufficient funds are not amassed in the near future to complete the acquisition, the property will likely be sold off as building lots.
If you are a lover of music like me, especially the kind of songs that were embodied in these great Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, I urge you to visit the Hammerstein Center website … there’s so much interesting information there, including a great article recently published in the Wall Street Journal. And, maybe, just maybe … you’ll be inclined to become involved and send a donation!
If you are not sure where Highland Farm is located, it’s on the edge of Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania … a noted historic arts and antiques area. Still not sure where I’m talking about? Have you heard of New Hope and the famed Bucks County Playhouse? The Hammerstein home is a 15-minute drive to the west on U. S. Route 202. And, it’s just a few miles north of where George Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware on Christmas night, 1776!
Finally, today’s date, August 23rd, is significant, as that’s the day in 1960 that Oscar Hammerstein II passed into eternity … gone but never to be forgotten!
Image Credits: Creative Commons
