Echoes of Milburn Mehlhop
A Tribute to Milburn Mehlhop | March 5, 1943 – February 3, 2025
by Katharine Smith
Milburn Mehlhop loved Garrett County. As the 100th anniversary of Deep Creek Lake is celebrated this year, many here remember the Blue Barn Playhouse, aka the Garrett County Playhouse, with the infamous Milburn, well-known as a yearly actor at the summer stock theatre. He and the theatre’s producers, Gene and Barbara Yell, played important roles in the history of this beautiful lake.
The first theatre venue was the Red Barn. Mariclare Beggy, whose Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, family has been coming to the lake since the 50s, recalls going by boat to see the plays. Fire ended that location, and a search quickly procured the Blue Barn. Located on Beckman’s Peninsula Road, the Blue Barn provided entertainment for both local residents and out-of-county visitors each summer from 1955 to 1985. Mariclare added, “The Blue Barn was so popular and entertaining in those great theatre days. Milburn Mehlhop was the mainstay. He acted, he painted, he was outgoing, and very funny. I would call him the backbone of the Blue Barn.”
My family regularly attended performances and became close to all involved with the theatre. We housed a couple of actors over the years, and my mother, Margie Squibb. worked in the box office. In getting to know Milburn and loving cats, she convinced him that his cat, Hallie, would be better off staying with her in Mountain Lake Park for the winter rather than holed up in a small apartment in NYC. When Milburn arrived for the summer, Hallie would run out the door, leap into Milburn’s arms, and wrap herself around his neck. Then off to Hemlock Hollow they would go for the summer.
Growing up in the small farming town of Dexter, New Mexico, in the Pecos River Valley, Milburn graduated from New Mexico Military Institute and received his BA in Theatre Arts at the University of New Mexico. While attending college in the early sixties, he followed his mentors, Gene and Barbara Yell, along with other students in the theatre department, to Garrett County during their summer breaks. Gene was a professor in the Theatre Department at the University of New Mexico, and Barbara had inherited a house and barn in Pleasant Valley, known as Hemlock Hollow. With the barn turned into a dormitory and a board of directors being established, the summer stock theatre was created for an audience thirsting for live performances.
Great summer entertainment was enjoyed for many years, as well as influencing numerous audience members in their appreciation of and participation in theatre. As Kathryn Sincell recalls, when growing up in Mountain Lake Park, “I had a bit part in Side by Side by Sondheim and Milburn encouraged me to pursue more than just putting together the original Garrett Lakes Arts Festival.” She added, “He brought joy to so many people and could command the room!”
The Garrett County Playhouse was nicknamed “The Blue Barn.”
Milburn was a regular participant for over 20 years, and the theatre attracted a variety of residents, some of whom were tapped for parts. Lee Thomasson Nelson came with her family from Chicago to Mountain Lake Park each summer. While having a few parts in plays, what she recalls most about Milburn was one of his visits to their house when she was young. Sitting on their porch, Lee said to him, “Milburn, you are such a hoot.” The response he gave her was “You know, life is what you make of it; enjoy every moment and it will be good to you.”
“You know, life is what you make of it; enjoy every moment and it will be good to you.”
Other areas of theatre were needed, such as lighting and sound. Ben Sincell, who in his younger days had a few parts in plays, was tapped for his technical experience during the theatre’s last years at Garrett College. “One time at the barn”, said Ben, “I was in the audience when Milburn’s part was Dracula. A bat swooped out of the rafters, and the next thing I heard was Milburn ad libbing, ‘Not now, you fool,’ and the bat flew away!”
Upon arriving on the mountaintop, the theatre members began prepping for the first of about six plays and, from then on, they would perform in the evenings, ducking from the bats, and prepare for the next performance during the day. Post performance gatherings included the American Legion and homes of regular theatre goers with singing and Milburn on the guitar. At our house, my mother often hosted the cast members following the shows, and much laughter could be heard playing charades well into the early morning.
Garrett County and its special aura drew Milburn back each summer after his college years. Upon receiving his BA, he headed to New York City, where he started as a copywriter for CBS News. A brief time with the John Cassavetes organization designing film advertisements preceded a lengthy time at the advertising department of the J. C. Penny Corporation. For most of his adult life prior to retirement, he left the Big Apple to summer with the Yells, his cat, Hallie, newfound friends, and the Blue Barn Theatre.
Garrett County benefited from the presence of summer stock theatre with Milburn and the actors living with the Yells. Traveling to see live theatre could be arduous, and the Blue Barn Theatre and those dedicated to performing for local audiences filled a void. As Bill Grant warmly said, “I had the opportunity to perform at the Blue Barn in the mid-1960s. I had been brash enough to send a letter to Gene Yell the previous winter with a request to perform. Admittedly, it was a small bit part - I was a messenger – but one of the delights was interacting with Milburn Mehlhop, who, of course, had the lead part. What I remember is that Milburn treated me as a peer, not as a kid. As such, he offered tips and encouragement on how to better perform my part. I managed to muff one of my lines one evening, and he was the very first to console me and buoy me for performances yet to come. I will always remember that and his kindness to all he encountered.”
Bill Grant appears as a messenger with Mehlhop.
The Haynes family enjoyed much time with the Yells and the Blue Barn Theatre, developing a close friendship with Milburn. Having inherited their mother’s house, Diana and Sarah return yearly to their historic home in Mountain Lake Park. Diana, who was in The Chalk Garden and Dracula, shared the following: “As I think of Milburn, I see a most rare and gifted man. He possessed boundless creativity and, simply put, was madly brilliant. He loved good wit and humor, be it wry, or slapstick. He had an amazing ability to cut to the quick, never suffering fools. A beautiful mind and heart. What I would give to spend another evening with Milburn playing music, shooting pool, 4-wheel-driving, playing charades, or just sitting by, waiting to hear what he had to say next.”
From Sarah, her first description was “to meet him was to love this Renaissance man.” She continued, “Spending time with Milburn always came with the joy of seeing the world through his eyes. He possessed such a steady compass that guided him through this amazing and perplexing world we live in. You will always be remembered, Dear Milburn.”
Manning Smith with Milburn in Albuquerque. Photo by Kathie Smith
The county is indebted to the Yells for bringing summer stock to the county as well as to those who supported the theatre near Deep Creek for 30 years, and Milburn is remembered for his many years dedicated to the theatre. Upon retiring, Milburn visited Garrett County as he journeyed to Albuquerque, New Mexico. He knew he would not return east and live out his days with a close circle of devoted friends in New Mexico. Milburn leaves behind family in North Carolina and Georgia as well as many devoted friends who remember not only his humorous artwork but also his forthright wit and barbed humor. His death in February of 2025 reminds us of a legacy carried on today by various live theatre productions, which continue to delight all who live and visit the county. Pictures drawn by Milburn and sold during intermissions hang at the Transportation Museum and the homes of patrons. Milburn will return to our small farming area when he is interred at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church columbarium. We are thankful he will rest in peace in Garrett County.
Blue Barn Theatre painted by Milburn Mehlhop – given to the Transportation Museum in memory of Margie Squibb by Manning and Kathie Smith
