Nethercutt Collection

The Nethercutt Collection is a privately owned American multi-storied museum located in Sylmar, Los Angeles, California founded by J.B. Nethercutt in 1971. Its centerpiece is its prestigious automobile collection, which has led both the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times to call the Nethercutt Collection as one of the finest collections in the world.[1][2]

Nethercutt Collection
Grand Salon of the collection
Location within the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Established1972 (1972)
LocationSylmar, California, USA
Coordinates34.30667°N 118.46361°W / 34.30667; -118.46361
Key holdings1912 De Dion Roadster,
1930 Cord L-29 Town Car,
1930 Du Pont Town Car,
Irene Dunne's 1931 Packard,
1933 Duesenberg Model SJ
CollectionsAutomobiles and mechanical musical instruments
Collection size250+ automobiles
(about 50 on display at a time)
FounderJ.B. Nethercutt
Websitenethercuttcollection.org

The collection also houses collections of mechanical musical instruments, including orchestrions, player pianos and music boxes, and antique furniture.[3] There are also two older-model railroad cars.[3]

The collection is free of charge.[4]

History

In 1956, J.B. Nethercutt (1913–2004), the cofounder of Merle Norman Cosmetics, purchased two cars: a 1936 Duesenberg Convertible Roadster and a 1930 DuPont Town Car, needing refurbishing. The DuPont restoration, which Nethercutt thought would take a few weeks, instead took 18 months and over $65,000. By 1958, his rebuilt project claimed its first prize — the coveted “Best of Show” award at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California.[5]

In 1971, The Nethercutt Collection building was constructed, a 6-story tower in Sylmar, Los Angeles connected to a Merle Norman manufacturing plant. The first two stories of the tower; the Lower and Grand Salon, feature the main vehicle collection of the Nethercutts. The third story features an awards room and collection of hood ornaments.[6] The fourth story consists of a music room with several large antique music boxes and player pianos, with a Wurlitzer theatre organ in the centerpiece of the room. The fourth floor also features a Louis XV styled dining room.[7] The fifth floor has a theatre and a massive room of pianos.

In the early 2000s, the Collection expanded and constructed a new display building directly across the street which was separately called the Nethercutt Museum. In comparison with the Nethercutt Collection, which requires guided tours, the newer Nethercutt Museum is self-guided.[4] Outside of the Museum contains a CPR steam locomotive Royal Hudson Nr. 2839 is presented together with a 1912 Pullman Private Car.[8]

After J.B. Nethercutt's death in 2004, the collection was handed down to his son Jack Nethercutt II along with his wife, Helen Nethercutt.[9]

In 2011, Merle Norman Cosmetics and OPI Products styled its Hussy perfume and lipstick line after the Collection's distinctively red "Hussy" 1934 Packard LeBaron Sport Phaeton, which is nicknamed after John Hussey.[10][11]

Events

The Collection hosts silent film screenings in the music room, using the Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ.[12][13] The Collection also hosts organ concerts and occasional live orchestras in the 5th story theater.[14]

Concours d'Elegance

The Nethercutt Collection team and family competes in several prestigious concours d'Elegance auto shows nationwide. The collection has won several dozen of awards since its foundation, notably including 6 Best of Show titles at the highly prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and 5 at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, both more than any other individual.[15][16][17]

  • Cars in the Grand Salon
  • 4th floor Music Room
  • Mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ
  • Portion of the Wurlizer pipe organs
  • Louis XV Dining Room
  • Cars in the museum
  • Outside display with Royal Hudson and Pullman Car

See also

References
  1. "Richard Nolind, 78; Helped Build Classic Car Collection". Los Angeles Times. 2001-12-21. Retrieved 2020-06-17.
  2. Press, The Associated (2004-12-11). "J. B. Nethercutt, 91, Co-Founder of Merle Norman Cosmetics, Dies". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-07-15.
  3. The Nethercutt Collection website. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
  4. "Visitor Information". www.nethercuttcollection.org. Retrieved 2020-04-18.
  5. Milian, Gabriela (2019-09-30). "Vintage car museum in Sylmar takes you back in time - for free!". ABC7 Los Angeles. Retrieved 2020-04-18.
  6. "Automobile Collectibles and Antiques". www.nethercuttcollection.org. Retrieved 2020-04-18.
  7. "Nethercutt Collection « Los Angeles Theatre Organ Society". Retrieved 2020-04-18.
  8. "The Nethercutt Collection". trainweb.org. Retrieved 2020-04-18.
  9. "Founders of the Nethercutt Collection" Nethercutt Collection, Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  10. "Venerable cosmetics company Merle Norman gets a makeover". LA Times Blogs - All The Rage. 2011-05-03. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  11. "Insights Into The Hussy Story - Crescenta Valley Weekly". Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  12. "Silent Cinema Society". Silent Film Society. 2020-04-18. Retrieved 2020-04-18.
  13. "ATOS | SPOOKY SILENT MOVIES". www.atos.org. Retrieved 2020-04-18.
  14. "Nethercutt Collection Calendar". www.nethercuttcollection.org. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  15. Segura, Eleonor (Mar 19, 2019). "A Visual Tour of the Incredible Nethercutt Museum Collection". Automobile. Retrieved 2020-04-18.
  16. "Awards". www.nethercuttcollection.org. Retrieved 2020-04-18.
  17. "Previous Winners - Amelia Concours d'Elegance". www.ameliaconcours.org. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
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