Marian Anderson House Explained

Marian Anderson House
Location:762 South Martin Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Coordinates:39.9422°N -75.1747°W
Built:c. 1870, c. 1925, c. 1940
Architecture:Italianate
Added:April 14, 2011
Area:less than one acre
Refnum:11000198[1]

The Marian Anderson House is a historic home located in the Southwest Center City neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Built circa 1870 in the same neighborhood where opera singer and civil rights advocate Marian Anderson was born 27 years later, this two-story, brick rowhouse dwelling was designed in the Italianate style. Purchased by Anderson in 1924, the same year she became the first African-American concert artist to record spirituals for a major American recording company, she continued to reside here until 1943.[2] The house is currently home to the Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society.[3]

History and architectural features

The Marian Anderson House was built circa 1870 as a two-story, brick terraced dwelling in the Italianate style. A studio was added above the previously one-story, rear kitchen ell sometime around 1925. The home was then extensively renovated circa 1940. It served as the residence of opera singer and civil rights advocate Marian Anderson from 1924 to 1943.[4]

This historic residence was added to the National Register of Historic Places in April 2011.[5] [6]

Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society

The property currently houses the Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society. The organization was founded by Blanche Burton-Lyles. Its current CEO is Jillian Patricia Pirtle.[3] [7]

Flood damage and restoration

In 2020, pipes burst in the home causing significant damage to both the structure and Anderson memorabilia.

In July 2021, the National Trust for Historic Preservation announced plans to grant the Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society $75,000 for the purpose of repairing the home's exterior. The Marian Anderson Memorial Fund Task Force, a group that is working to erect a monument to Marian Anderson at the Academy of Music, has stated that it plans to use some of the funds raised to assist with additional repairs to the home.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Listings. 2011-04-22. Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 4/11/11 through 4/15/11. National Park Service.
  2. "Marian Anderson Historical Residence & Museum: Preserving the legacy of one of the world's greatest contraltos," in "Visit Philly." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: City of Philadelphia, retrieved online September 29, 2019.
  3. Web site: Rivera. Tiffany. 2021-07-26. The Marian Anderson Museum in South Philly gets a financial boost and a statue in front of the Academy of Music. 2021-07-27. AL DÍA News. en.
  4. Web site: National Historic Landmarks & National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania. CRGIS: Cultural Resources Geographic Information System. Searchable database. Note: This includes Web site: [{{NRHP-PA|H128869_01H.pdf}} National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Marian Anderson House]. 2012-07-05. Lindsey Allen. PDF. December 2010.
  5. "William Penn's Legacy: A Tradition of Diversity." Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, 2010-2011.
  6. "Department of the Interior: National Park Service: National Register of Historic Places; Notification of Pending Nominations and Related Actions," in Federal Register, Vol. 76, No. 61, March 30, 2011, p. 17670.
  7. Web site: 2021-07-20. Proposed Philadelphia sculpture of Marian Anderson advances. 2021-07-28. AP NEWS. en.