Effort To Turn Hammerstein's Home Into A Museum Gets Big Boost

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The nonprofit Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center, which is in the midst of a three-phase, $2 million fundraising campaign, has secured a $150,000 donation from the The Leff Family Foundation.

The Leff Family Foundation, a charitable organization based in Bucks County that supports programs that primarily focus on benefiting children’s education and families in need, has pledged an immediate contribution of $25,000 with a total multi-year pledge of $150,000 upon the Museum and Theater Education Center meeting certain development goals.

The nonprofit working to turn the Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center into a reality, is raising funds to purchase, restore, and preserve Hammerstein’s II former home and workplace at Highland Farm in Doylestown.

The property is located at 70 East Road.

In concert with this fundraising campaign, the nonprofit is officially introducing the Founders Circle program. Founders Circle members will be part of a "distinguished group of leadership donors" who will receive unique opportunities and privileges, the nonprofit said.

The first five significant donors to join the Founders Circle will be granted naming rights to a room within the Museum and Theater Education Center. The nonprofit is also continuing to accept all donations of any denomination from the community.

Keith Fenimore, the president of the nonprofit's board, said as the first Founder Circle member, The Leff Family Foundation will secure naming rights to Oscar’s study.

"The Leff’s generous donation will inspire others to take notice and do all they can to contribute in a meaningful way. We are certain that others who care deeply about the arts,historic preservation, and theatre education, will come forward to help us preserve the past, secure Oscar’s legacy into the future, and create a destination that will provide inspiration, education and appreciation of musical theatre," Fenimore said.

As part of the three-phase plan, the nonprofit first will secure two parcels at the rear of the property. Next, the home will be renovated and turned into a museum. The final phase will focus on transforming the large bank barn on the property into a state-of-the-art theatre education center.

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The initial fundraising target, which will secure the property and ensure its preservation into the future, has been set at $2 million.

Local leaders are applauding the project. Barbara Lyons, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for Doylestown Township, said in a statement that township is "pleased and proud to host the place where Oscar’s legacy will be actively experienced for generations to come.”

Hammerstein wrote "Oklahoma!," "Carousel," " South Pacific," "The King and I," and "The Sound of Music," among others.

"It is the nonprofit’s mission to uphold this great American legacy, and preserve the home that was Oscar Hammerstein’s muse and place where he created some of the most iconic songs for the most revered musicals ever written," the nonprofit said in a statement.

Learn more at www.HammersteinMuseum.org