Nelda & H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation

Once purchased from Asfar & Sarkis, the mosaics entered into the private collection of H.J. Lutcher Stark. Wealth from his trade in timber and oil made Mr. Stark a millionaire, and enabled his passion for collecting objects throughout the globe. Mr. Stark’s lifelong enthusiasm for collections comes from his mother, Miriam Lutcher Stark, who was known for her collection of worldly objects. After marrying his wife Nelda Childers in 1943, the couple built a collection primarily focusing on Texas and Southwest artisans. With their passion, they created the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation in 1961, with the desire to enhance the community with arts education. In his will, Mr. Stark bequeathed the Terpsichore mosaic to the Foundation. This organization was the means, “through which Mr. and Mrs. Stark channeled most of their philanthropies” and still functions today by enriching educational opportunities in Southeast Texas.  

Text Sources

“About the Foundation,” last modified 2014, http://www.starkfoundation.org/about-the-foundation/.  

Boehme, Sarah, email message to author, March 27, 2014.

Joyce, Hetty. “A Mosaic from Gerasa in Orange, Texas and Berlin.” Mitteilungen des Deutchen Archäologischen Instituts, Römische Abteilung 87, no.2 (1980): 307-325.

Kriseleit, Irmgard. Antike Mosaiken. Berlin: Antikensammlung Staatliche Museen, 2000. 

“LUTCHER STARK, WEALTHY TEXAN: Oil and Lumber Millionaire, 77, Dies—Headed Regents,” The New York Times, September 3, 1965.

“TEXAN ACQUIRES SKETCHES OF WEST: Canadian’s Water-Colors, Oils Reflect Life in 1846—Price Not Disclosed,” The New York Times, October 27, 1957.

Image Sources:

[Mr. Lutcher Stark], Photograph, 1937; digital image, (http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth36645/ : accessed March 16, 2014), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, http://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Heritage House Museum, Orange, Texas, accessed March 16, 2014.