Reith has a Cole Porter connection
Local painter, close to Porter family, donates memorabilia to Miami Co. Museum
Legendary composer Irving Berlin said, “He was the best of us.” With more than 800 songs published, Cole Porter lived up to that high praise. The Peru, Indiana, native was prolific and iconic.
Twenty-four of his compositions are included in The Great American Songbook, which represents the standards most jazz artists learned to perform throughout the 20th century. And nearly everyone in America has heard at least one of his tunes on television, stage, or at the movies.
Arletta Reith may be one of Porter’s biggest fans. She connected to the artist through the practice of her own art, painting. In 2006, Reith was allowed to help restore Porter’s birthplace, Portersburg Place, which eventually became the Cole Porter Inn, a bed-and-breakfast featuring artifacts and history from Porter’s life.
“I paint professionally,” said Reith. “Ladies on Ladders is my business. I wanted to help because (Porter’s) music means so much, and it's played all over the world even today. So, I went over there and painted all three suites and the stairway.”
Through that volunteer effort, Reith befriended Joanne "Joey" Kubesch, the cousin of Cole Porter, and at that time, one of his last living relatives. Soon, Reith became a sort of activist, working with Kubesch to preserve Porter’s history and promote his legacy. Together, they helped secure a star for the composer on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
“We went to Hollywood for the star ceremony, and they allowed a piano on the walk for the first time ever,” said Reith. “Mark Nadler, a singer from New York City, played the piano.”
Reith continued to immerse herself in Cole’s legacy, collecting items and memorabilia related to the icon. But recently, she decided that the items needed to be shared with other aficionados. She contacted the Miami County Museum in Peru, which happily accepted the donation of Reith’s collection.
“I carried it all over there in a little cardboard box, and the director loved it,” said Reith.
Indeed, the collection was valued; so much so that it received its own display case as part of the museum’s Cole Porter collection, which is on display now as part of Peru’s annual Cole Porter Festival celebration. Reith said the Porter exhibit will remain through Sat., June 21.
Her donated artifacts will be included in the museum's Cole Porter collection, meaning they may make an appearance in future celebrations of Porter.
"I'm a nobody; a little painter," said Reith. "And my stuff is going to be with the Cole Porter collection. It's a high honor for me!"
The Miami County Museum, 51 N. Broadway, Peru, is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Admission is free, but there is a suggested donation of $15.