Phil Harris - Alice Fay Collection
Phil Harris - Alice Fay Collection
The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Collection, or "the library" as Harris referred to it, is a collection of memorabilia, which the Harrises donated to Linton in 1979 in connection with the original Phil Harris weekend. This is one of the most important legacies Harris left to his hometown of Linton. Originally the collection was located upstairs in the Margaret Cooper Public Library on 110 East Vincennes Street. In the spring of 1998 the collection was relocated to the basement of Regions Bank on 89 West Vincennes Street. Three rooms now house the collection in a temperature-controlled environment.
Phil Harris was born in Linton on June 24, 1904, the only child of Harry and Dollie Wright Harris. He moved from Linton and became a famous movie actor and musician. He married Alice Faye, who was a popular movie actress in the 1930s and 1940s.
The memorabilia is a virtual history of show business and represents much of the lives and careers of both Harris and his wife. The collection has provided hours of pleasure for visitors. It is an important source of information about the Harrises. The collection includes photos, scrapbooks, clippings, awards, and magazines.
As a tribute to his hometown that gave him so many childhood memories, Phil Harris started a scholarship program from the proceeds of the Phil Harris Weekend. In addition, he and his wife donated personal momentoes, which were housed in the Phil Harris-Alice Faye Collection.
Sadly, the collection now includes memorabilia relating to Phil Harris’ death on August 11, 1995, at age 91, just a few weeks after he returned to his beloved Linton for his last Phil Harris Scholarship Festival. Harris’ remains now rest in California, but a large part of him and his life continues to live on in the Harris-Faye Collection in his hometown of Linton, Indiana.
This information was used with permission from the Linton-Stockton School Corporation.
