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Laurel & Hardy Museum
250 North Louisville Street
Harlem, Georgia 30814
888-288-9108 or 706-556-0401
Tuesday -
Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm
Museum Supporters
OLIVER NORVELL HARDY
Norvell Hardy was born in Harlem, Georgia on January 18, 1892 at his
mother’s parents' home. He was the youngest of five children to
Emily Norvell Hardy. Norvell’s father died of a heart attack, just three days before
Thanksgiving in 1892 (Norvell was only 10 months old) and was buried in
the Harlem Memorial Cemetery. Emily Hardy and her children moved
throughout Georgia many times and finally settled in Milledgeville, Georgia
when Norvell was about 11 years old. She
became the manager of the Baldwin Hotel and that is where young Oliver
spent the remainder of his childhood. The young Norvell never knew his
father, only the tales his mother Emily told him. As soon as Norvell turned
18, he changed his name to that of his father, and became known as “Oliver Norvell Hardy”.
Oliver was enthralled by the visiting troupes of performers who stayed
in the hotel his mother managed. The young Oliver worked as the
projectionist and manager of the Milledgeville’s first movie house, the
Electric Theatre, in 1910 and performed regularly. Oliver attended Georgia
Military College, Atlanta Conservatory of Music and for a short time the
University of Georgia. Oliver left Georgia in 1913 for a newly established
film colony in Jacksonville, Florida. In 1918, he left for Hollywood,
where he worked at various studios.
Oliver worked for several years as a supporting actor until he was
accidentally teamed with a young Englishman, Stan Laurel. Oliver and Stan
seemed to gel into a single organism, a perfect stand-up comedy team. They
always remained constant while everything around them changed. Laurel &
Hardy made 106 movies and in 1932 “The Music Box” won an Oscar for Best Short
Film. Stan and Oliver remained partners and friends until Oliver’s death
in Hollywood in 1957.
Oliver Hardy Festival Facts:
In 1989, the Mayor, office staff and
residents of the City of Harlem formed a committee to keep Oliver Hardy’s
legacy alive. The festival was started to help assist Harlem in building a
Community Center. It was to be held on the first Saturday of October every
year. When the festival started there were only approx. 30 to 45
crafters and vendors. Gradually, through the years a parade was added,
entertainment, a street dance and more. Not to mention several Laurel and
Hardy fans began to frequent the festival and started sending Laurel &
Hardy memorabilia, which was displayed in the City Hall during every
festival. “Here’s another fine mess you’ve gotten yourself into!” Oliver
Hardy would have most likely said about the Festival honoring him. The
festival now brings over 32,000 people to the City of Harlem annually.
We have grown to over 375 crafters and
vendors, a carnival, two stages of live entertainment, look-a-like
contest, parade, movie and much more! Fortunately, our
collections have grown to such an extreme, we ran out of room in the City
Hall.
Memorabilia Facts:
The fact that Oliver Hardy was born here in
Harlem Georgia has helped us to promote tourism. Over the years,
we have collected, purchased and received so many items from near and far.
A couple from Germany being great fans of Laurel & Hardy, wanted to be
married in Oliver Hardy’s birth place. The couple came to Harlem, Ga. stood
by our historical marker, said their vows with a local reverend and walked
away a married couple. It was a memorable event for the City of Harlem.
There are many people of Harlem that have an
eye open constantly to Laurel & Hardy treasures. Many are more than happy
to donate these treasures to the city. We have found pictures, movies,
toys, books, even a suit worn by a Look-a-like and so much more.
We
put the word out that we were looking for posters for the theater we call
“Babe’s Bijou” and fans from all over the world have sent us posters to
fill up the walls! The
Laurel & Hardy Museum in Ulverston, England has been in complete support
and also sent items to us. Incidentally, Ulverston, England is also our
sister city. We are always welcoming donations and treasures to display in
our Museum.
Laurel & Hardy Museum Facts:
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