Hammerstein House, Mediterranean Revival residence in Florida, US
The Hammerstein House at 1520 Polk Street is a one- and two-story Mediterranean Revival building completed in 1935, with smooth stucco walls and a Spanish tile roof combining gable and hip forms. The one-story portion holds the public rooms, while bedrooms and private baths occupy the two-story section; a garage stands behind the house. Architect Bayard Lukens, a Pennsylvania native who also worked on Hollywood's churches and hotels, designed it for the Hammerstein couple.
The house was completed in 1935, designed by Hollywood architect Bayard Lukens for the Hammerstein couple. In 1980 Clarence Hammerstein donated it to the Hollywood Historical Society in memory of his wife Vera, asking that it run as a museum. It joined the National Register of Historic Places on February 15, 2005.
Since 1980 the house has been run as a museum by the Hollywood Historical Society, which received it from Clarence Hammerstein in memory of his wife Vera. Displays draw on his own belongings, among them his WWI Air Force uniform, and the ashes of Clarence and Vera rest in two large urns kept in the house.
The home sits within a residential neighborhood and requires advance coordination through local preservation organizations to arrange a visit. Prospective visitors should contact these organizations to confirm access and available times.
Clarence Hammerstein lived to 92 and died in 1987; his will left 10% of his estate to fund the house's operation as a museum. He had already given the property to the Hollywood Historical Society in 1980, in memory of his wife Vera. The couple's ashes are kept in two large urns in the house.
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