Saving Our History, Saving Highland Farm

Doylestown, PA—Off a sleepy road in Doylestown Township outside the din of Highway 202 and beyond a row of evergreens and majestic maples sits a home of immense historical significance. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988, the Highland Farm property features a three-story farmhouse built in 1840 with a wraparound porch. Oscar Hammerstein and his wife Dorothy lived on this farm in Doylestown, Pennsylvania for twenty years, from 1940 until he passed away on August 23, 1960.

It was here in bucolic Bucks County where Hammerstein worked with his business and creative partner, Richard Rodgers, to write and produce such Broadway gems as Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, and one of the most famous musicals of all time, The Sound of Music. Oscar Hammerstein was also a humanitarian and created works that were edgy and sincere, pushing the envelope with content tackling themes about social justice, diversity, and oppression.

With the threat of a 4-lot subdivision looming, The Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center(OHMTEC), a recognized 501(c)3, is raising funds to purchase, restore, and preserve Oscar Hammerstein’s former home and workplace. With the goal to create a multifaceted and dynamic museum experience, with a strong theatre education component, serving as a place of inspiration for Broadway fans and humanitarians alike, the organization is on a quick timeline to gather the support needed to preserve this treasure.

As part of a three-phase plan, the nonprofit first will secure two parcels at the rear of the property currently owned by a developer who has an approved subdivision plan. Phase Two will involve purchasing and renovating Oscar’s 1840 manor home and curating the museum. In alignment with Oscar Hammerstein’s lyrics of inclusion, Phase Three will focus on transforming the large bank barn on the property into a community education center aspiring to serve under-resourced communities and to those not typically afforded an opportunity to learn and pursue their theater interests. The center will focus on programs for children and families to learn about musical theater and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s contributions to the arts and our community. An earlier plan to include a community theater on the property has been scrapped due to zoning limitations. The initial fundraising target for Phases One and Two, which will secure the property and ensure its preservation into the future, has been set at $2 million and needs to be raised by June 2021, the entire project including all three phases is estimated to cost five million dollars.

Kristine Lewis, one of OHMTEC's Board Members stated, “We are so lucky to have this gorgeous and significant piece of history in our backyard and my fellow dedicated volunteer board members are working tirelessly to write grants and raise funds to preserve this property for our community and for the world to enjoy. Right now we need to raise two million dollars by midyear 2021 in order to save Oscar's home.” A donation page is set up on the organization’s website.

Board Member Jaime Rogers is organizing a solo contest to provide awareness to the effort and to act as a fundraiser. Information about this upcoming event will be posted soon. Check OHMTEC’s Facebook page and website for updates. A gorgeous painting was created by local artist, Margie Perry https://margie-perry.pixels.com/ and will also raise funds and awareness for this effort. Soon, members of the public will be able to purchase Margie's 11”X 14” matted print, just in time for the holidays!

Anyone interested in supporting this effort is encouraged to send an email to oscarhammersteincenter@gmail.com to map out ways to make sure we preserve our precious history and #SaveOscarsHome.