WSM is thrilled to announce it has been loaned a beautiful wooden desk that once was a fixture in the Wharton Studio. Thanks to the generosity of Frank Howe and his family, this elaborately carved desk, used in numerous Wharton films, was purchased by Mr. Howe’s grandmother in the late nineteen teens when the Whartons were closing down their motion picture studio and selling off some of its contents.
Given Wharton Studio Museum’s limited space for its exhibits in the Tompkins Center for History and Culture, WSM is eternally grateful to The History Center — especially archivist Donna Eschenbrenner and Executive Director Ben Sandberg — for integrating the desk into its Library! A few weeks ago, the desk was carefully moved via pick-up truck to the Library. It will continue its storied life and be used by researchers, scholars, and students. WSM is working with Mr. Howe to develop interpretive signage for the desk that will provide some of its fascinating history and provenance. Looking forward to everyone seeing the Wharton Studio desk soon!
