Marian Anderson Museum and DAR
The Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society is located inside Marian Anderson’s longtime Philadelphia home, purchased in 1924. She resided there until 1943, and the home still boasts rare photos, books, memorabilia, and films that are a tell-all about her life. Blanche Burton-Lyles, Anderson’s mentee, founded the Museum and Historical Society in the two-story brick rowhouse. Along with preserving the history and educating the public on Anderson’s life, the home also houses the National Scholar Artist Program, an operation that Marian Anderson created herself in 1950. The home is a National Historic Landmark and in 2011 was designated a Philadelphia Historical Commission landmark.
After a strenuous five-year restoration effort, the National Marian Anderson Museum in Philadelphia reopened to the public on March 1, 2025. After suffering a devastating flood caused by pipes bursting, the Museum went through a comprehensive historic restoration to reopen to the public with upgraded structural and facility enhancements, as well as restored artifacts and new exhibits so it is ready for a new era of education and community building. DAR was proud to provide significant donations and other support toward the Marian Anderson Museum’s restoration efforts.
DAR First Vice President General Ginnie Sebastian Storage gave remarks at the ribbon cutting ceremony and DAR members from near and far joined in the reopening celebrations.
As part of an ongoing collaboration with the Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society, the DAR was honored to display at its Headquarters a performance gown, shoes, and necklace worn by Marian Anderson during her esteemed career!
The dress was on loan to the DAR from the Marian Anderson Museum for a year. It was first unveiled in Constitution Hall for member viewing at DAR Continental Congress in June 2023 and later on display for special events that took place in the Hall. It was also prominently displayed for public viewing at the entrance of the DAR Museum gallery from October 2023 to March 2024, with important information on Marian Anderson and her connection to the DAR on labels alongside the display.
The cranberry red sequined gown was made in Paris and worn by Anderson during her concerts in the 1930s. The chocolate brown satin slippers and jewelry were also a part of Anderson’s collection of performance accessories. The record on display is from the NSDAR Archives of a recording Marian Anderson made at a concert at DAR Constitution Hall in 1964 at the beginning of her farewell tour.