Latest news with #JillianPatriciaPirtle
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Marian Anderson Museum & Historical Society Reopens to the Public
With support from the City of Philadelphia, community partners, and the DAR, the Museum triumphantly returns with reopening celebrations and a new exhibit after 2020 flood repairs are completed. PHILADELPHIA, March 11, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- With five years of renovation, construction and clean-up from a devastating 2020 flood now behind it, the Marian Anderson Museum & Historical Society triumphantly reopened March 1. "It was hard to continue our programs while the building was undergoing such a huge renovation and our collection was being restored. We kept going because we love this work and are inspired by the legacy of Philadelphia's own Marian Anderson," said Jillian Patricia Pirtle, CEO of the National Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society. "Now we are finally here and we are reopening with a wonderful new exhibit that shares Marian Anderson's story with the world." Located at the home of the iconic contralto singer, Marian Anderson, the exhibit, "Marian: The Philadelphia Story," was on display at the Museum for visitors during the reopening celebration and will run through November 2025. Book tours at 215-779-4215, or submit the tour inquiry form. "DAR is proud to have donated funds to support critical repairs for the house and the restoration of Marian Anderson's beautiful concert gowns," said Ginnie Sebastian Storage, First Vice President General of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), at a ribbon-cutting that marked the historic home's reopening on Saturday, March 1. "As an organization dedicated to historic preservation, education and patriotism, it has been important to the DAR to support the Museum's restoration efforts so that they may return to sharing the history and legacy of one of our nation's great treasures, Marian Anderson." The DAR donated funds to the Marian Anderson Museum from 2022-2025 to assist its historic preservation efforts. Also during that time, the DAR displayed on loan from the Museum gowns that Anderson wore during her concerts in the 1930s at its headquarters in Washington, D.C. Numerous DAR members attended the reopening festivities alongside state and local officials, community partners from the City of Philadelphia, the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, Erickson & Sons Inc. Historic Contractors and others. A faith tribute service was held at the Historic Tindley Temple UMC as part of the festivities and a celebration gala welcomed guests to the Crystal Tea Ballroom at the Historic Wanamaker Building. "Our Museum is small but mighty. We are really grateful for the support of the community, our sponsors, our historic preservation partners, our Marian Anderson Scholars – and the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)," said Pirtle. About the Marian Anderson Museum & Historical Society Located at 762 Martin Street in Philadelphia, the Marian Anderson Museum & Historical Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy of Marian Anderson, the late African American classical singer (1897-1993). The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011 and is also a designated Philadelphia Historical Commission landmark. The organization manages and showcases Marian Anderson's historic residence as a museum giving thematic educational tours about her life and history. The organization also supports the development and performance of young professional classical and performing artist scholars with the National Scholar Artist Program that Marian Anderson created in 1950. For more information and to help support, visit Photos and Video: Marian Anderson Museum and DAR Marian Anderson Museum Reopening – DAR introduction & remarks A Triumphant Reopening of the Marian Anderson Museum and Celebration of a National Treasure Media Contact Ami Neiberger, Marian Anderson Museum & Historical Society, 703-887-4877, ami@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Marian Anderson Museum & Historical Society Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Women's History Month: Marian Anderson Historical Residence Museum reopens
The Brief Five years after a burst pipe destroyed much of the late singer Marian Anderson's former Philadelphia home, her home has been restored and reopened. The museum highlights the life of Philadelphia opera legend Marian Anderson. SOUTH PHILADELPHIA - Five years ago, a burst pipe soaked much of the late singer Marian Anderson's former Philadelphia home. Costs to repair the water damage were estimated at $500,000. A grand reopening to the museum dedicated to her artistic and civil rights legacy took place Saturday. What we know The Marian Anderson Historical Residence Museum is back open after being closed for nearly five museum highlights the life of Philadelphia opera legend Marian Anderson. The backstory Back in 2020 a flood destroyed the historic home on South Martin Street in South Philadelphia. Gowns, sheets of music and newspaper clippings were damaged in the flood and some artifacts were too far gone to be recovered. As far as the structure itself, the needed repairs were extensive for the rowhome building on Martin Street in the Graduate Hospital section of the city. What they're saying "To reopen in such a beautiful way, the first weekend of Women's History Month, just two days ago from Marian Anderson's birthday, we are here, her home is here," says Jillian Patricia Pirtle, the CEO of Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society. Local and state officials provided nearly $1 million to help with the renovations. "I said, 'Well we can invest in the Swedish museum down in Packer Park, we can invest in the Betsy Ross House with our city budget, then surely we can invest in the Marian Anderson Historical Museum, right'," says Kenyatta Johnson, the Philadelphia City Council President. On the reopening day, many came out in support of the museum and its mission to continue showcasing the life and legacy of Anderson. Joanna Dunlap, of West Virginia, says, "There has been lots and lots of unknown people that have participated in restoring this place and it's phenomenal to see the community support, it's really outstanding." Big picture view Visit the National Marian Anderson Museum website for more information.
