MID-ISLAND COMPOSER'S HOME WITH LARGE BACKYARD AND TREES

The Ernest Manheim House began as a modest bungalow purchased in 1952. It was picked out for the Manheim family of Kansas City by Rita Benton, wife of regionalist painter and longtime Chilmark summer resident, Thomas Hart Benton. The Benton and Manheim families were friends from Kansas City. During the academic year Benton worked at the KC Conservatory of the Arts. Ernest Manheim was Professor and Chairman of the Department of Sociology at Kansas City University. Manheim, an avid music lover and composer, and Benton were drawn to each other by interest in folk music and both families’ mutual interest in culture and politics.

The Bentons had become legendary on the Vineyard in the 1930s and 40s for Saturday night parties featuring folk music and flowing booze. Though he never published his collections, Benton was a pioneer along with the Lomax’s in discovering the riches of American folk music in the early 1930s. At this time prominent musicologists claimed that American folk music did not exist. Benton had become a skilled harmonica player and also entrained students like Jackson Pollock to learn harmonica and play in his band.

The modest house reflects Ernest Manheim’s unassuming, renaissance man personality He was not only one of the most broadly informed intellectuals in America, but had but had been a superb athlete who might have qualified for the 1920 Olympics had not Hungary been torn by conflict after World War II. He made much of the furniture in the house. His wife Ann, taught French and ceramics at a prep school in Kansas City, and contributed to joint effort in lamp making – as can be seen. After the death of Ann Manheim Ernest – at age 91 – married again. The new Dr. Sheelagh Manheim was 45 years Ernest’s junior! Now the house is owned by Frank Manheim and managed by Ose and Marcel Schwab, Ernest’s granddaughter and grandson-in law.

This house reflects its owners spirit - of intellectual curiosity, love of nature, music appreciation, and a love of books. The book collection reflects the breadth of interests of the Manheim household. Music is a major item. Guests can follow recordings of all Mozart symphonies on Dover edition miniature scores. Those who have never listened to classical music with scores might be surprised at what a fascinating treat this can turn out to be. The variety of books in the large living room and the bedrooms defies simple description. The symphony scores contrast with a coffee table history of the Rolling Stones; there are natural history handbooks (mushrooms, trees, etc.), books by Dionne Riggs and Vineyard mysteries by her daughter, Cynthia; books by and about Tom Benton, novels, biographies, and Mao Tse Tung’s Little Red Book.

The newly renovated bathroom offers a welcome modern touch, and new landscaping along Edgartown road includes tall European elderberry bushes that will reach 30’. To connoisseurs the spring flowers of the elderberries provide exhilarating drink and jellies, and the ripe dark purple berries are among the highest in vitamin C and antioxidants of any fruit or berry.

The Manheim and Schwab family welcomes you. We hope that the Ernest Manheim house will provide you with a friendly home and base for enjoying Martha’s Vineyard.