Bruce Levingston Establishes Rowan Oak Fund for Faulkner Home

In recognition of his generosity and commitment to preserving the historic home of Nobel Prize-winning author William Faulkner, the university, which owns and maintains the property, has named the endowment the Bruce Levingston Rowan Oak Endowed Fund.

The fund will support the restoration of existing artifacts, purchase of historically significant items related to Faulkner's life and various renovation projects, including construction work, landscaping and public engagement initiatives.

"Rowan Oak is a treasured part of our university, drawing in visitors from around the globe each year," Chancellor Glenn Boyce said. "We're deeply appreciative to Bruce Levingston for his generosity and commitment to establishing this endowment, which has also been enthusiastically supported by many of our friends and donors.

"As this endowment grows, it will ensure that we can continue to preserve Rowan Oak's history while enhancing the care and restoration of the items that were part of Faulkner's daily life."

Levingston, a renowned pianist and recording artist, serves as the Chancellor's Artist in Residence and holds the Lester Glenn Fant Chair at Ole Miss. His presence has drawn many prominent figures to the university, including Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ron Chernow, filmmaker Ken Burns and philanthropists David Rockefeller Jr. and Warren Stephens.

"Many people have been extremely generous in honoring me and our wonderful university over the years," Levingston said. "Their thoughtful gifts have inspired me to establish this fund to support one of our nation's greatest literary landmarks.

"I have seen how deeply people are moved when they visit the magnificent grounds and home where Faulkner created some of his most important works."

The fund's premiere project brought new life to the Faulkner family piano. Levingston debuted the restoration during a Sept. 25 sunset concert at Rowan Oak in celebration of Faulkner's birthday.

Levingston performed on the newly restored piano as well as on a grand piano on the lawn. Musical selections included pieces by Chopin, Beethoven and Mozart – composers whose works were part of Faulkner's personal collection.

Boyce proclaimed the evening a "celebration of two of Mississippi's greatest artists as well as our state's rich literary and musical tradition."

Rowan Oak curator Bill Griffith inspired Levingston to restore the piano after expressing his wish to hear its music fill the home once again. That idea stayed with Levingston, who played the instrument for Burns during the filmmaker's visit to the house.

The experience reinforced his desire to establish a fund that would not only restore the piano but also preserve other historical elements of the property.

"I am deeply humbled to contribute to the support of Rowan Oak's important legacy in our society and community for future generations," Levingston said.

New York Times writer Emily Cochrane interviewed Levingston over the summer to document the restoration. Her story, "Restoring the Sound, if Not the Fury, of William Faulkner's Piano," ran Sept. 27.

"Almost a century later, the piano is at the heart of a plan to kindle new interest in the family and the home, which was named Rowan Oak by Faulkner and is now part of the University of Mississippi's museum system," wrote Cochrane, who attended the concert event.

"The instrument was refurbished this summer, and on Thursday evening its fuller, back-in-tune notes rang through the parlor once again during a concert marking Faulkner's birthday. Rowan Oak's curators hope it will be the first of many such evenings."

Provost Noel Wilkin emphasized the fund's importance in ensuring Rowan Oak remains a well-preserved cultural landmark for future generations.

"I truly appreciate Bruce's commitment to the arts," Wilkin said. "He regularly uses his talents to enrich the academic experience for students and elevate the arts within our community.

"I am especially touched by his generosity as he has personally invested to enhance Rowan Oak and its role within our university."

Many other donors and friends have joined Levingston and contributed funds to build the endowment.

Anyone interested in contributing to the Bruce Levingston Rowan Oak Endowed Fund can click here.

Top: Bruce Levingston rehearses on the restored Faulkner piano at Rowan Oak, the Oxford home of Nobel Prize-winning author William Faulkner. Levingston has established an endowment to ensure the conservation and preservation of the historic structure, part of the University of Mississippi Museum and Historic Homes. Photo by Hunt Mercier/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services