Liberace Arriving in Pensacola …
This is Liberace arriving in Pensacola back in the 1960’s. He used to come to Pensacola to buy antiques from several dealers in the area. One of them was my father’s friend, Ada Wilson, who would always tell my dad when Liberace was coming to town so that he could take some photos of him. I will share a story that my father shared with Liberace about seeing him in Chicago in the late 1930’s when I have more time. Thanks for looking …
Frank Hardy Made My Photographs Two 
Hi Frank!
My name is Linda Wilson(my Dad was Clanton Marlow “Buddy” Wilson) & my Great Grandmother was Ada B. Wilson- what a wonderful lady! She could play the organ & piano like none other! Her paintings were marvelous! Such a wonderful woman! I remember Grandma & Grandpa Hardy- such sweethearts!!❤
. Linda
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artisticsecretly5725e2f9b0
August 4, 2024 at 11:22 am
Thanks for the kind words! If you get a chance sometime, give me a call at 850-449-1279. If I don’t answer please leave a message and I will get back to you. I had a relative give me a call several years ago. Don’t want to go into it here but I’m just curious about a few things regarding Ada’s family. Nothing bad, good just was an odd several calls. Thanks again … Frank
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Frank Hardy
August 4, 2024 at 7:29 pm
My mother and father, Edith and Carlos Quave, were personal friends of Ada Buchere Wilson in Pensacola, FL, from at least the mid-50s, when I was around eight years old, until several years before Mrs. Wilson passed away. I don’t know anything about how the friendship between my parents and Mrs. Wilson got started, but from our home in Ferry Pass, from time to time, Dad would take my brother and sister and I to Mrs. Wilson’s home on Lakeview Ave. where–while Dad would visit with and do various chores for Mrs. Wilson–we kids would run across 15th Ave. to play in Estramadura Square. I remember the park well as it had an enormous x-shaped crosswalk, swings, monkey bars, and a push merry-go-round. For we country kids, this was always a treat for us. (The rest of my memoirs will be but unrelated anecdotes.) As best I remember, Mrs. Wilson had a small pump organ, a larger electric one, a large grand piano, and a medium size baby grand piano–all of which she would play when asked. Now for a joy and a tragedy about the baby grand, which was a Kimball antique whose varnish finish had “alligatored” to black. About 1963, for all his handy work for her, Mrs. Wilson gave the piano to my dad on the promise that he would completely refinish and recondition the piano for my sister to play. Over many weeks, Dad completely restored the piano to original, playable condition that showed off it original rosewood finish beautifully. For a while, my sister took piano lessons, but then the piano only collected dust until about 1985 when I moved the piano to my (own) new home in Dallas, TX. Beginning about 1987, my son took piano lessons for a while but soon lost interest to sports. After that, the piano again sat dormant–never, ever being played to its full potential. Finally, in 2023, with a lot of family circumstances having changed and me wanting to remodel my home, the piano had to go. Having for several years before tried to find the piano a new home to the point where we even tried to give the piano away (but without success because everyone wanted electric keyboards), with my second son being very good at woodworking, I at last conceded to let him completely disassemble (“destroy” would be a better word) the piano so he could use the beautiful wood to make other things. (Every time I think about having to ‘end the piano’s life’ that way, it breaks my heart.) Now, back to Pensacola. At some point, Mrs. Wilson moved out of her Lakeview Ave. home to another old house on Gregory St. It quickly became a museum for the furniture antiques she had collected throughout her life. Not long thereafter, Mrs. Wilson befriended Liberace who took great interest in her antiques and bought a few (about which I know no details). No one will be surprised to learn that quite-elderly Mrs. Wilson was as infatuated with Liberace as most much-younger woman were. As I remember, this was about the time when Mrs. Wilson painted a few pictures (from memory) of Geronimo and gained a lot of local acclaim for it. Though I had the honor of seeing all of her original Geronimo paintings, the one that impressed me the most was a Geronimo oval miniature about 3″ high. (Mrs. Wilson was already famous for painting miniatures.) During my younger years, Mrs. Wilson also owned a house on some acreage on Nine Mile Rd. west of Ensley. That is where she cultivated her ‘Ada Wilson’ (yes, named after her) camellias. She gave about ten of these plants 5 ft. high to my dad, who planted them on either side of the driveway to our new family home we were building at the time. (They’re still there to this day.) From a picture I’ve seen of Mrs. Wilson in the book Aunt Ada’s Antiques by Rudnick Martin, white haired Mrs. Wilson was a very beautiful woman when she was young. Even so, I once heard her tell my Dad, “If you ever need some ground plowed, grab my ankles and I’ll put this ridiculously protruding chin of mine right to work for you.” She was always a very interesting person to be around. Surrounding her property was a fence that was overgrown with blackberries that were never disturbed and, consequently, were as juicy as they could be. Mrs. Wilson told my dad, “Come pick ’em”, and over several Saturdays, the five of us in my family did–maybe five large washtubs full (no lie!). For an entire weekend after that, Mom and Dad cooked, processed, and canned all those berries into AT LEAST 24 quart jars of blackberry jelly. We ate a few blackberry pies and blackberry jelly–quite delicious–at least seemingly, for years after that. And those are the stories I remember about locally famous artist Ada B. Wilson of Pensacola, who was a most interesting person, to say the least.
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Larry Quave
July 22, 2024 at 6:30 am
I just now saw this. I’m going to read through it later this evening and will get back with you. All of this is new to me. I only knew her on Gregory Street where I would go with my mother to visit. Think my mother felt sorry for her and she would drag me with her. I was born in 1953 so this was in the mid-60’s sometime. Her daughter Julia I think was her name and was living with her. She had been “institutionalized” and was “safe” to be let back into society. Can go on for hours about Mrs Wilson and Julia but I’ll save it for later. Another lady named Wilson wrote something and I said to call me. Likewise to you …. 850-449-1279 is my cell number. Call me sometime and we can chat. If I don’t answer leave a message and I will get back with you. This typing is very time consuming to me and I would rather chat anyway. My photography sit on Instagram is FrankPHardy. I have thousands of photos and you will see what I do. Looking forward to hearing from you …..
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Frank Hardy
August 4, 2024 at 7:46 pm
Frank, I attended a Liberace concert in October of 1959 at the Bayfront Auditorium. it was a great show and Liberace was a wonderful entertainer. I believe that the woman you have in your picture is Marni Nixon. She appeared frequently with Liberace in his shows on the eastern seaboard as it was convenient for her appearances on Broadway and in her hometown of New York. She did the singing for Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady, and many other Hollywood stars that appeared in musicals but could not sing. Marni Nixon also appeared frequently with Victor Borge. Hope this helps.
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Darlene McCullough
April 22, 2019 at 3:18 am
Hello,
I just ran across this and found it to be very interesting. My parents (Jim and Eula Drexler) purchased Ada Wilson’s house of Lakeview Avenue in the late 50’s. We owned the home until the late 80’s. There were many stories about Mrs. Wilson and the items she sold to Liberace. The most interesting one was the time he purchased the pipe organ from the home. In order to move it, part of the wall had to be removed to get it out of the house.
Yes, he also performed in Pensacola in the 60’s. My father served as a Councilman for the City of Pensacola. I can still remember being escorted to the Bayfront Auditorium for the concert with my grandmother. We had front row seats and were able to go backstage after the show to meet him. He autographed the program, which I still have.
Mr. Hardy, I also remember you. You took many pictures of our family throughout the years – family, graduations and weddings. Your shop on 12th Avenue will also be a memory for me. If you or anyone else has any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me. I can be reached through email at jayneearle@yahoo.com
Jayne Drexler Lee Earle
Feb. 8, 2014
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jayneearle
February 8, 2014 at 7:09 pm
Thank you for the kind words and the information about Mrs. Wilson is interesting, but please do not forget, I am the son … my father passed away back in 2008. He was 92 when he died and his health was failing the last year or so of his life. I never knew that Mrs. Wilson lived on Lakeview. I just remembered her house that was down on Gregory Street across from Fact-O-Bake automobile body shop ( where the Civic Center or whatever they call it is located now ). I was only around 10 or 12 back then. Thanks for writing … I wish I knew more about Mrs. Wilson. I have some news clippings somewhere that my father had saved about her that I will have to find. Please check back and thanks again for writing … Frank
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Frank Hardy
February 8, 2014 at 8:00 pm
Like Frank, I only knew of Ada Birch Wilson living on Gregory St. Her house was very crowded with antiques. I met her when I was about 12 years old when we attended the Hammond Organ Society meetings at Reynolds Music House. She was in her 90’s as I recall. She could play the difficult song “Nola” even though she had bad arthritis in her fingers. She also told me she had met Geronimo as a child when he was at Fort Pickens. She remembered him squeezing her hand so hard when she shook it that it hurt her. That is where the postcard painting came from.
John Ellis
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John Ellis
April 4, 2015 at 3:46 pm
John … My email is frankphardy@gmail.com . Send me an email and I will send you a photo that I have of a Geronimo painting that she did. That must have been a major experience for her since she painted Geronimo several times and all with different looks. Thanks for commenting … Frank
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Frank Hardy
April 5, 2015 at 9:50 am
On one of his visits, one of my mother’s third grade students got his autograph on the back of her father’s business card in an antique store and gave it to my mom. I still have the card. On that visit, my father, who was losing his hearing did not hear Liberace’s escort and drove out into an intersection and almost hit his limo.
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Donovan Baldwin
January 12, 2013 at 1:31 pm
I cannot remember the name of the antique store, but I believe I know who you are speaking of. He also went to Ada Wilson’s and bought antiques from her and that is how my father knew him. In his autobiography, he mentions the name of the antique store that he would visit when he came to Pensacola. He never mentions Mrs. Wilson, but I believe that the candle chandelier ( I not sure what you call it ) that he had on his piano in the 1960’s was bought from her. Thanks for the comments and please check back … Frank
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Frank Hardy
January 12, 2013 at 6:15 pm
My aunt is nearly 91.. Ada Wilson was her aunt. My aunt has memories of Aunt Ada that I’m sure she would be willing to share. Contact me and I can connect you to her.
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Sheila White Moore
February 17, 2013 at 11:16 am
I have some newspaper clippings and a few photos she can have if she wants them. You can email me at: frankphardy@gmail.com or you can tell her to get in touch with me. I did not know any of her family except Julia and I was only 10, 11 or 12 at the time. Thanks for the comment and let me hear back from you … Frank
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Frank Hardy
February 18, 2013 at 11:05 am
Ada Wilson painted a portrait of me when I was 14 which I have. She was a friend of my aunts. We visited her in her home often. She lived with her daughter. She seems to have been forgotten. I am interested in learning more about her history if you can help. Your Dad took the photos for the portrait. Thank, Janna
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Janna Blanton
October 14, 2012 at 9:03 am
Janna … I do not know a whole lot about Ada Wilson myself. I remember her and her daughter, Julia, very well, but as far as their background goes, I do not know a whole lot. I remember seeing a newspaper clipping that my father had describing her history or past somewhere in all of this stuff that I have. I will look around and see if I can find the clipping and post it sometime in the future. I am sorry that I am not more help, but I know at the Historical Society in downtown Pensacola in the old Beacon Building that would have a file on her and if you are local, it would be worth taking a trip downtown and visiting them. If you are not local, call them and see what they could tell you. They are very nice and helpful, Jackie is the lady that I talk to when I go down and visit. They have a lot of interesting information and you could spend a whole afternoon looking at all that they have. Keep in touch and thanks for looking and the comment … Frank
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Frank Hardy
October 16, 2012 at 8:34 am
My father, Ben White, owned White’s Furniture during the 50’s and 60’s and brought Liberace to Pensacola in 1959 for a series of concerts at the municipal auditorium.The concerts were part of a marketing promotion for the furniture store. He was in town for a few days and performed over the weekend.I remember when Liberace arrived in town he met with my father and then our family had lunch with him at the restaurant next door to the store on mobile highway. Liberace said it was the first time he had been hired by a furniture store owner. We attended the concerts and I remember my father dressed in his tuxedo introducing Liberace at the concerts. He was a wonderful entertainer and for years after the concerts he would continue to send Christmas cards and when he would release a new record he would send an autographed copy to my father.
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Douglas White
August 21, 2012 at 8:24 am
Thanks for that Douglas, that is interesting. I have a photo of Liberace getting off of the plane with a very attractive lady … I ca not remember if I had posted that one. And I also have another of Liberace’s male friends getting on the plane and this guy looks very familiar. I will have to go back see what I have posted…it is getting hard to remember and I try to to repeat myself. I have really enjoyed reading all the comments that everyone has written and it opened my eyes to a lot of the goings on in Pensacola back in the 50’s and 60’s. Thanks again for writing … Frank
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Frank Hardy
August 21, 2012 at 3:19 pm
Liberace did come to Pensacola for a concert at the Bayfront Auditorium (I attended; it was spectacular!) probably in 1960 or 1961.
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Linda Longsworth
August 19, 2012 at 11:59 am
Linda … Thanks, I did not know if he ever played here or if he just came to visit to purchase antiques. My father had an interesting about seeing him in Chicago back in the late 30’s and I cannot remember if I posted it in the blog … I need to go back and re-read some of these posts to refresh my memory. One more thing, are you any kin to Joe? I have not run across him in years now and am wondering if he is OK? He is another one of my buddies from Workman Junior High School and he has always been a good friend. Thanks, and let me hear back from you … Frank
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Frank Hardy
August 19, 2012 at 1:41 pm
Linda … Thanks, I did not know if he ever played here or if he just came to visit to purchase antiques. My father had an interesting about seeing him in Chicago back in the late 30’s and I cannot remember if I posted it in the blog … I need to go back and re-read some of these posts to refresh my memory. One more thing, are you any kin to Joe? I have not run across him in years now and am wondering if he is OK? He is another one of my buddies from Workman Junior High School and he has always been a good friend. Thanks, and let me hear back from you … Frank
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Frank Hardy
August 19, 2012 at 1:41 pm
Frank – I just found this site and love it. Nana Bonifay Kell (Earl’s sister) has been on one of those antique shopping trips with Liberace when he came to town. She had a little signed photo of Liberace in her living room.
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Roxanne S. Bonifay
January 28, 2012 at 10:20 am
Roxanne – I would like to see it sometime, if you can get a hold of it. My dad made a few photos of Liberace when he would come to Pensacola and buy antiques from Mrs Ada Wilson and I only seen several of them and I know that there are others out there. Let me hear from you and thanks for commenting … Frank
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FrankHardy
January 28, 2012 at 2:27 pm
Mr Hardy,
I have an oil painting (oval) painted by Ada Wilson of Liberace.Would that have any value? Would like to sell.
Know any Liberace fans. Did Ada Wilson do Indian cards? Dennis Lockett Gulf Breeze
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Dennis Lockett
May 27, 2012 at 4:49 pm
Dennis – Thanks for the comment. First question, the value of an Ada Wilson painting of Liberace … my guess is that to a collector of Liberace art, it would be, but trying to find them would be the challenge. I have several oil paintings that Ada Wilson gave my father and I doubt that they are worth much. I would be interesting in seeing the painting and I would even take a photo of it for you to use to locate a buyer. As far as the Indian cards go, I have several photos of a painting that she had made of Geronimo that she could have made cards of, but personally I have never seen any cards. Call me sometime and I will drive over to Gulf Breeze and take a photo of the painting and give you a file so you could shop it around. Thanks for asking and keep in touch …
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Frank Hardy
May 27, 2012 at 8:33 pm