The James Dick Foundation for the Performing Arts and its sole project, the Round Top Festival Institute, were founded in 1971 by world-renowned concert pianist James Dick. Begun with a handful of gifted young pianists in rented space on the town square, the project is now an internationally acclaimed European-styled music institute for aspiring young musicians and distinguished faculty. Over a thirty nine-year period and with the help of its patrons and friends, The James Dick Foundation for the Performing Arts has developed superb year round education and performance programs. It has created also an unique 210-acre campus - Festival Hill - containing major performance facilities, historic houses, extensive gardens, parks and nature preserves. Through its singular collection of rare books, manuscripts, archival material, music and historic recordings, photographs and objects, the Round Top Festival Institute is also known as an important center for research and scholarly study. Events and performances include classical music, guitar festival, poetry readings, lectures, a Christmas ballet performance of "Nutcracker," and an annual Herbal Forum, now in its 15th year.