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Hammerstein Museum and Theater launches pop-up

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While supporters continue their passionate mission to preserve Highland Farm, the Doylestown Township home of Oscar Hammerstein II, the Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theater Education Center is taking some of the famed theatrical producer’s memorabilia from the property on the road.

The nonprofit’s new Traveling Oscar Hammerstein II Museum will have its first showing Sunday, Nov. 3 at Fox & Holly in the Doylestown Shopping Center. The public will be free to view the prominent librettist’s rocking chair, photos and album covers, a replica of his Underwood typewriter and set pieces from the original Broadway run of “South Pacific” and much more, said Keith Fenimore, president of the museum and education center.

Designed to educate the larger public about Hammerstein’s legacy and grow support of the effort to save the house and create a museum and theatre on the property, the “pop-up” museum will make its way to several area locations over the next 12 months, Fenimore said. The Mercer Museum, Delaware Valley University, Penn Community Bank and others have all agreed to host the traveling museum.

Karen Thompson, owner of Fox & Holly, said she’s excited to support such an important project.

“I am always looking for opportunities to support our community and the people and places that make where we live so special,” said Thompson, in a statement. “Part of Oscar Hammerstein II’s legacy lives in that home and I am happy to support the nonprofit as they attempt to save and preserve it.”

Fenimore said the museum and education center appreciates the support of area businesses in helping create the traveling museum and expose the Academy Award winner’s treasured possessions to the public.

“With the support, we have garnered from our local politicians, local businesses and our community, we are poised to reach our full potential and save this national treasure,” he said, in a statement. The organization is seeking to raise an initial $2 million.

The pop-up museum will be open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. In addition to the display of items, visitors will also learn about the history of the property and the efforts to preserve it.

Visit HammersteinMuseum.org to learn more about the nonprofit and its work.

“There will only ever be one window Oscar gazed out of when he wrote ‘Oh, What a Beautiful Morning’ or one bedroom where he paced as he wrote his last line before his death for the song ‘Edelweiss’ from the musical ‘Sound of Music, Bless my Home-land Forever.’ He’s done his job, now the burden is on us to do ours, and #SaveOscarsHome!”


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