Hammerstein types while sitting in one of the rocking chairs on the porch of Highland Farm. (Photo courtesy of Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center)

The Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center in Doylestown, Pa., has received its first historically significant gift — two of the iconic rocking chairs used on the porch of Highland Farm, the 1940-1960 family home of the lyricist who wrote Oklahoma, South Pacific, The Sound of Music, and other groundbreaking musicals.

The chairs were a gift from Ted Chapin, the former president and chief creative officer of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization for 30 years and a member of the museum’s honorary advisory board.

Chapin worked for Hammerstein’s son and was given two of the chairs from Highland Farm used by the lyricist, but decided they belonged at the museum. One chair has been placed on display for house tours this month.

During December tours are extended to Fridays at 11 a.m., Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Visitors can enjoy crisp apple strudel and tea (“a drink with jam and bread”) or hot chocolate from a “bright copper kettle,” in keeping with lyrics from The Sound of Music’s “My Favorite Things.”

Special Hammerstein Museum mementos have been created for purchase only by tour guests, such as the Hammerstein Museum commemorative Mercer tile, handmade at the Moravian Tile Works in Doylestown. Only 50 of these tiles were produced for this limited-edition run.

The 45-minute tours include behind-the-scenes stories about Hammerstein’s musical family and friends, how his musicals changed the modern-day book-musical, and insight into his contributions to society.

Highland Farm public tours will run through December 28. Private and group tours can be arranged by appointment.

Advance tickets are required for all tours. Information and tour tickets are available at hammersteinmuseum.org/tourinfo.

The Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center is a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of Oscar Hammerstein II’s Doylestown home, where he wrote many of the musicals, and to telling the story of his legacy as a librettist, lyricist, humanitarian, and mentor. The nonprofit is currently raising funds for the restoration and preservation of Highland Farm. Individuals and entities can contribute online at hammersteinmuseum.org/donate. For more information, email hammersteinmuseum@gmail.com.