The Hummelstown Area Historical Society was gifted with more than 40 paintings that were created by the late Frank Hutton, a longtime Hummelstown resident. The paintings are on display at the History House, 32 W. Main St., Hummelstown, where visitors can view or purchase the artwork during regular business hours, Mondays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Wednesdays from 3 to 7 p.m.

The sale, which will continue through the end of December, is not only designed as a fundraiser for the historical society, but also as an opportunity for local residents to own a piece of Frank's artistry. The paintings were donated to the historical society by Frank's son, Jon W. Hutton, and his daughter, Phyllis Hutton Raabe. The historical society is keeping one of the paintings, which depicts the Hutton's home on Linden Road, for its collection.

According to a biography of Frank Hutton provided by Jon, Frank and Helen Hutton moved to Hummelstown from Philadelphia in 1940 after the Depression. Frank got an accounting position with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board after the repeal of Prohibition in 1936. He worked in Harrisburg until his retirement in 1971. Helen and Frank were well known in Hummelstown and were involved in many social and civic activities. Helen was very active in developing a library in Hummelstown. The couple was married for 63 years from 1936 to their deaths in 1998.

According to Jon, Frank began painting after retirement as a hobby, but the finished works were so good, he was encouraged to do more of them. Over 25 years, Frank completed about 60 paintings, some of which hang in the homes of family members and close friends.

Frank started a club for local aspiring artists club, where a number of local residents convened at his home on Linden Road to work and collaborate on different projects. Mr. Rorbeck, a retired art instructor, also came to offer guidance.

"(We thought that) the best place to take some of the paintings was back to where they were painted," said Jon, when explaining the decision to make the donation. Jon, who lives in Red Bank, N.J., packed up the paintings and made the three-hour trek to Hummelstown to deliver them to the historical society in person.

"He painted physical objects - landscapes, streams and sunsets," Jon recalled. "He would see a photograph and reproduce it. He would (look through) National Geographic and different magazines and paint something based on (what he saw)."

Jon said his dad never sold his paintings. "If someone came into the house and (admired) a painting, he would say, 'Take it,'" Jon shared, noting that his dad had an eye for detail. "He would have been an architect, an illustrator or (full-time) artist, but the Depression intervened."

"I enjoy many of Dad's paintings in my home," added Phyllis, who resides in New Orleans. "In addition to appreciating their quality, it is inspirational to me that Dad only began oil painting lessons after he retired. Perhaps others who view or buy his paintings may also be inspired to realize that it's never too late to begin to do something well."