Some Facts about The Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park:
Founding
Incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation in the State of Illinois, 1983. Tax-exempt under IRS Code section 501(c)(3).
Facilities
Birthplace of Ernest Hemingway, a 5,500 sq. ft., two-story Victorian home open to the public. Hemingway Museum and Bookstore housed in a 3,250 sq. ft. leased facility in the Oak Park Arts Center open to the public. Hemingway's Boyhood House, currently rented as a three flat while the board explores future options. The New Oak Park Library (2003 completion) houses the Hemingway Archives and Research Room staffed by the Foundation.
Collections
Marcelline Hemingway Sanford Collection: Over 800 photographs, printed materials, clothing, accessories, furniture, household items, pieces of art and art materials compiled by Hemingway's older sister. Highlights of the collection include: Ernest's 1917 high school commencement program, his personal senior yearbook copy, the 1921 invitation to his wedding, the contents of a box set into the hearth of the family's Kenilworth Avenue home, family furniture, and typescripts of Mrs. Sanford's book, At the Hemingways (1962), (a firsthand account of the family's life in Oak Park).
Woods Archives: 2,300 books, articles, correspondence, photographs and pamphlets assembled by Waring Jones, collector of Hemingway memorabilia. Highlights include the Agnes Von Kurowsky letters.
Frank Laurence Collection: Movie posters from films of Hemingway works and recordings made by original stars of the films.
Visitors
Approximately 9,000 people visit the Museum and Birthplace each year; 2001. and more are international. Group tours in 2001 reduced from 60 the year before to 23 due to restoration construction days and the loss of most fall tours from the 9/11/2001 scare.
Education
Annual one-day Hemingway Colloquium, lectures for the public, tours of the birthplace and museum, reading groups.
Youth
Annual Hemingway Short Story Essay Competition introduced in November 2000 for high school juniors and seniors. Annual Books to Brighten Young Minds reading celebration and book donation program targeted at preschool to sixth grade begun in April 2001.
Events
Annual Hemingway birthday celebration and lecture on July 21, a family Boxing Day celebration held every December 26, and annual fundraising event.
Board
18-member board of directors representing the community and eight-member honorary board of Hemingway family, scholars and community members. An advisory board of key donors and business leaders.
Volunteers
Over 200 volunteers who regularly donate at least four hours per month.
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