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Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Preferred Citation

William "Bill" Ross Schermerhorm Papers, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libaries.

Biographical / Historical

Born on the Fourth of July, William "Bill" Schermerhorn is a two-time Emmy Award-winning songwriter. He graduated from William & Mary in 1982 with a Bachelor's degree in History. Bill worked for Macy's Parade & Entertainment Group for three decades, culminating in his position as Vice President  /Parade Director from 2001-2016. Beyond his creative contributions to Macy's annual Thanksgiving Day Parade and 4th of July Fireworks, he also wrote and produced numerous Macy's events, including Christmas Tree Lightings, Flower Shows, Gala Store Openings and original Family Musicals with entertainers such as Julie Andrews, Whoopi Goldberg and Idina Menzel. His musical (book/Lyrics) "Yes, Virginia The Musical" was the recipient of a Gold and Silver Lion Award at the 2013 Cannes International Festival of Creativity and a Gold CLIO Award. Among other musical highlights, "American River Suite" debuted at Carnegie Hall in 2009 and "Free to Dream" premiered at Joe's Pub in NYC, followed by a production featuring Darlene Love at the Kimball Theatre. Bill was invited to write the lyrics for "And That's the Way It Is" to honor legendary newsman Walter Cronkite at his Lincoln Center memorial service.

In Spring 2017, Bill was a William & Mary Theatre Department artist-in residence; a William & Mary class workshop of his World War II Musical "Swing Wings" was performed. In Spring 2023, "MADam LUCY, deceased" was first staged in the Sir Christopher Wren building's Great Hall and, later that fall, opened the new Studio Theatre at PBK.

Schermerhorn is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and The Dramatists Guild Inc and serves on the William & Mary Alumni Association Board of Directors. He is an honorary U.S. National Park Ranger and is currently the Creative Director for Colonial Williamsburg's Signature Events. Bill resides in Williamsburg with his husband Dan Dutcher.

Scope and Contents

The William Ross Schermerhorn papers contains materials that document the personal and professional career of William Ross Schermerhorn. Papers primarily document Schermerhorn's work for Macys as well as Colonial Williamsburg. Notes and material on his involvement in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks shows, and other creative endeavors he undertook as Vice President for Macys Parade and Creative Director at Colonial Williamsburg are included. In addition, the collection contains projects he completed for Disney as well as numerous other productions, musicals and sheet music. The papers also contains photographs of his time at Macy's and Audio/ Visual material from his productions. Artifacts, pins and badges present in the collection relate to his time in New York City.

Arrangement

The William Ross Schermerhorm papers are arranged alphabetically by file title into 8 separate series. Series Includes: Series I. Professional Papers, Series II. Printed Materials, Series III. Personal Papers, Series IV. Oversized, Series V. Pins and Badges, Series VI. Audio Visual materials, Series VII. Artifacts and Ephemera, and Series VIII. Books.