Home Of Famed American Lyricist Open For Public Tours In Bucks

DOYLESTOWN, PA ? The Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center, the Bucks County home of famed musical composer Oscar Hammerstein II for 20 years, is open for weekend tours through the end of the year.

The 45-minute tours of Hammerstein's Highland Farm include riveting stories about Hammerstein?s musical family, how his groundbreaking musicals forever changed the modern-day book-musical, and additional insight into his contributions to society through his many humanitarian acts.

The Hammerstein family resided at Highland Farm from 1940-1960. It was here that Hammerstein composed the lyrics to his best-loved musicals, including ?The Sound of Music,? ?Oklahoma!? and ?South Pacific? (inspired by Doylestown?s James Michener?s novel Tales of the South Pacific), and others.

Visitors will see the iconic desk where Hammerstein composed lyrics to the timeless Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals of stage and screen, including Oklahoma!, State Fair, Carousel, South Pacific, Cinderella, and more. The standing desk is the newest addition to the museum.

While living at Highland Farm, Hammerstein also met and mentored a young Stephen Sondheim. Sondheim, who lived near Highland Farm, grew up to become one of the most important figures in 20th-century musical theater and is credited with reinventing the American musical.