 The Skitch Henderson
Museum offers a window on the life,
career, and pursuits of its creator, Skitch Henderson. Within it are portions of
the Henderson American Music Archive and carefully chosen pieces from the holdings of the
Hunt Hill Farm Trust. Each piece accents one of the many aspects that make Mr. Henderson
such an extraordinary individual.
Prior to 2004, the
Henderson American Music Archive was maintained as a private collection by Ruth &
Skitch Henderson. Their stewardship has been diligent. Now, the Archive is to become
accessible to institutions, scholars, and visitors, regionally, nationally, and
internationally. These previously unavailable materials will become primary sources for
the study of the most important artists in twentieth-century American history and culture.
The Henderson American Music
Archive contains materials collected by Skitch Henderson during his very unique and
meaningful career. His personal and professional collection of rare originals, first
edition and student "mini" scores, and his list of research and performance
scores create an impressive music library. The collection contains over 450 unique reel to
reel magnetic and film tape recordings, and approximately fifty other analog recordings of
Skitch Henderson performing and rehearsing with such classical music icons as conductors
Dmitri Mitropoulos and Maestro Arturo Toscanini, legendary pianist Sergei Rachmaninoff,
the universally acclaimed violinist Jascha Heifetz, Wagnerian soprano Lotte Lehmann, and
"First Lady of Radio" Kate Smith. It also includes an extensive representation
of popular radio, music, film and television legends such as Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw,
Spike Jones, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Dorothy Lamour, Jane Mansfield, and
Tony Bennett. His reputation and skill as a composer/arranger is reflected in the fact
that for twenty years (1930-1950), he worked both on stage and behind the scenes with the
elite of American musical performers.
His arrangements of
quintessential American music have been recognized by his peers, both classical and
popular, and by the American public. Notably, Skitch Henderson received a Grammy Award for
his 1963 orchestration of George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, sung by Leontyne Price and
William Warfield. Through his role as Music Director of the NBC TV and Radio Network
(1952-1966), Skitch Henderson was in many ways responsible for the musical acculturation
of generations of Americans. He is associated with major events in the country's modern
history. For example, many Americans remember his performance of a special memorial
concert as the nation mourned the death of President John F. Kennedy.
In this collection
are extraordinarily rare recordings and scores. Many of these recordings have outlived
their life expectancy and are in imminent danger of being lost. The scores are filled with
notes, inscriptions, and dedications from the composers. The significance of these pieces
cannot be overstated. The Henderson American Music Archive is unique in its scope and
depth, but it does not stand alone. The Archive is now part of the Hunt Hill Farm Trust,
an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, and includes items such as the Steinway Grand
piano from Skitch's tenure at NBC, photos of Henderson with many of the artists he worked
for and performed with, advertisements, publicity and other ephemera closely associated
with this music collection. Many significant events in the history of American popular
culture are documented by photographs, analog recordings, and scores. Together the music
archive and the holdings of the Hunt Hill Farm Trust represent an incredible resource not
only for scholars, but for anyone interested in twentieth-century American cultural
history.
A visitor to the Skitch Henderson Museum will see:
The only
remaining three-sheet from the Steinway centenary concert, this was most recently
borrowed for the 150th Anniversary Steinway concert. A three-sheet, printed in three
separate parts, it appears to give Skitch separate billing, but in reality he was just
very fortunate. During this concert, every one of the musicians listed had a Steinway to
play on stage at Carnegie Hall.
An Arthur
Anderson Bear carousel figure c. 1912, most likely manufactured in Bristol, England.
It is one of four carousel animals in the studio which the Hendersons collected.
A painting
of Mickey Mantle was done by the famous sports artist Leroy Nieman in 1966. A
gift to Skitch from Ruth, he had it additionally autographed by Mickey Mantle himself,
"To Skitch- My Best Wishes- Mickey Mantle 9.13.89".
A marble
soda fountain was purchased by the Hendersons in 1972 from the Marbledale General Store.
Made by the Combination Soda Fountain Co. in Decatur, Illinois, this example dates to post
1908, because of the labeled pump faucets for the syrup. (Skitch has a soft spot for soda
fountains because it brings to mind visits he made to Ginger Rogers' house- which had in
her 'playroom' a soda fountain instead of a wet bar. To be invited over for ice cream, was
a sign you met with the approval of Ginger's protective mother.)
Photos,
correspondence and other ephemera from: Dmitri Mitropoulis, Director of the New
York Philharmonic; Irving Berlin; Arturo Toscanini and more!
The Skitch Henderson Museum is open by appointment for individuals and
groups during Silo Gallery hours (Wednesday through Monday, 10:00 - 5:00).
Visitors should look for a Silo Employee or Hunt Hill Farm Trust Docent for admittance. Please contact Jessica Stewart, Gallery &
Collections Director, for more information at 860-355-0300 or stewartj@hunthillfarmtrust.org
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