Museum Planned For Bucks County Farmhouse Once Owned By Oscar Hammerstein

Last week BroadwayWorld cited a published report stating the Bucks County home that was once owned by Oscar Hammerstein II - the retreat where he wrote many of his lyrics to classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals and where he mentored teenage Stephen Sondheim in the craft of musical theatre - was up for sale.

Oscar Hammerstein's Highland Farm, Inc. (OHHF), a charitable organization, has released a statement disputing the report, saying it "does not accurately reflect on the current state of affairs" and that "OHHF has an exclusive agreement of sale with the owner of Highland Farm."

In 2014 Oscar Hammerstein's grandson William attempted to purchase the home from its current owner, Christine Cole, to turn it into a museum and a theater, but his plan, estimated at $20 million, was turned down by the local zoning board, fearing traffic jams in the quiet community.

The OHHF's current plan is to convert the house and barn into a museum, believing that a scaled-down plan will create the most ideal conditions for the surrounding community while still facilitating their ability to execute the mission of preserving both the farm and Oscar Hammerstein's legacy. They are also exploring alternate nearby locations for a theatre.

Cole currently uses the home as a bed and breakfast and the photos of the Hammerstein home and barn are courtesy of highlandfarmbb.com.

"We are extremely passionate about our mission to honor Oscar Hammerstein II's legacy as a writer, lyricist and mentor and to uphold his personal values of resiliency, optimism and inspiring change" states OHHF's Chief Financial Officer, Tanya Cooper.