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Residence Museum and BirthplaceBy Thom Nickels

spacer The understated exterior of the 19 th century, 2-story Marian Anderson House at 762 South Marian Anderson Way (or South Martin Street ) bears a plaque from the Philadelphia Historical Commission. The house was declared an historic property in 2004, roughly eleven years after the death of the owner of the house who also happened to be America 's greatest contralto singer of the 20 th century. The Marian Anderson Residence Museum has been placed on the National Register Of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior.

A canvass awning bearing the initials MA covers the front door area—the only awning on this staid street that experienced a major real estate boom shortly after the house became the Marian Anderson Historical Society, Inc.

Philadelphia's own Marian Anderson was, according to Arturo Toscanini, “a voice such as one hears only once in a 100 years.” Her famous contralto voice was known in concert halls throughout the world, but perhaps Anderson's most famous legacy was her performance in front of 75,000 people at the Lincoln Memorial after the Daughters of the American Revolution refused to let her sing at Washington D.C.'s Constitution Hall. That refusal caused Eleanor Roosevelt to resign her DAR membership, although Anderson sang for the DAR three years later.

Those who knew Anderson say she was an ardently spiritual woman who was not inclined “to tangle on a low level with anybody.”

House curator Phyllis Sims has been showing visitors Anderson's house for almost 10 years. Sims knows every nook and cranny of the place. Ironically, Sims says she gets more inquires and visitors from Europe and other cities than she does from Philadelphians.

Anderson, who bought the house in 1924, transformed the small basement into an entertainment center. The area included a portable bar stocked with champagne and water ( Anderson 's favorite drinks), a few pieces of furniture and a piano. Here she would entertain friends and fellow musicians while resting up from world tours. “Blacks in those days couldn't go out anywhere, so everybody, especially in South Philadelphia , had their basements fixed up,” said Sims, a South Philadelphian by birth.

Near the basement staircase you can still see the area where Anderson kept her records; next to that is the simple laundry room.

The kitchen is original minus a new stove and refrigerator. The cabinets have small Art Deco handles and probably still bear Anderson 's fingerprints. The dining room panels were designed by Anderson's architect husband, Orpheus King Fisher, a man of mixed race who courted Anderson for 20 years before she allowed him to marry her. Fisher was friends with the architect who designed New York's Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center (Shreve, Lamb & Harmon). Sims says that Fisher played a part in the design of those projects as well.

The home's hardwood floors are original but the handsome wrought iron railing bracing the stairs was installed for Anderson's infirm mother. Sims told me that there used to be a door in the dining room that led to the adjoining house where Anderson's sister lived. Anderson owned several other houses on the block.

Originally a two bedroom home, another room was added at the top of the staircase. Today this room is known as the Marian Anderson Boutique Room but it used to be a rehearsal space for the singer.

After her marriage to Fisher and her move to Connecticut, Anderson put the property in the hands of a broker. At her death in 1993 her Philadelphia protégé, Blanche Lyons, the first African American woman to perform a piano recital with the New York Philharmonic in Cargenie Hall, bought the house and began the long process of preserving its legacy.

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Tracie Luck, one of our program scholars, and Blanche Burton Lyles, founder

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The Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Board unanimously voted to recommend the Marian Anderson Residence Museum to be added to the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior.  Letters of support from Philadelphia Council President Anna C. Verna, Dr. Walter P. Lomax, Founder/CEO of the LOMAX Companies and Jeri Lynne Johnson, founder and Music Director of the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, were acknowledged during the Board's review.  "This is quite an accomplishment because of the strict criteria," says Blanche Burton Lyles, Founder of the Marian Anderson Historical Society.  The National Register of Historic Places is the federal government's official list of historic properties worthy of preservation.  Listing in the National Register provides recognition and assists in preserving our Nation's heritage. The great Philadelphia-born contralto and humanitarian Marian Anderson purchased the residence in 1924 and was the owner until her protege Blanche bought the property in December, 1997, (and in 1999, The Marian Anderson Birthplace), to preserve Miss Anderson's legacy. In the photo, Blanche. Burton Lyles is congratulated by Cathy Lee, National Register Coordinator.

The Marian Anderson Residence Museum has officially been added to the REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES as of April 15, 2011. We will have a formal dedication soon.


As reported in the USA Today on 9 February 2004


“Home, Sweet Homes: Historic Houses Of Philadelphia Have Stories To Tell”

By Kennerly Clay, special for USATODAY.com


The Marian Anderson Historical Residence & Museum — The great African-American contralto Marian Anderson grew up in this section of South Philadelphia. As a young girl she received formal training at Union Baptist Church, and later, in the 1920s, bought a charming row home right across the street from the very place where she had learned to sing her heart out.

The power and beauty of Anderson's voice transcended racial barriers and captivated audiences throughout Europe and the United States. Anderson sang before a crowd of 75,000 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial — to this day, the memorial's largest assembly ever — and in 1955, she became the first African-American to sing at the New York Metropolitan Opera.

Anderson's home contains rare photos, books, memorabilia and films about her life, and also supports an artists-in-residence program developed by the Marian Anderson Historical Society, to encourage and mentor outstanding classical artists.

Contact Phyllis Sims, director of media relations, for a private or group tour appointment. 762 S. Marian Anderson Way; 215-732-9505 or 856- 966-1688; www.mariananderson.org.

As reported in the Philadelphia Daily News on 5 February 2009


“Secrets of Black Philadelphia: Rittenhouse Square”

By Anthony McGill


Marian Anderson Residence Museum

As a child, Blanche Burton-Lyles entertained Marian Anderson's guests at after-parties that the legendary singer threw at her Philly rowhouse following concerts at the Academy of Music nearby. Now, the former child prodigy - a groundbreaking musician in her own right - owns the place.

She and colleague Phyllis Sims run the Marian Anderson Historical Society. They offer tours of the residence (at 762 S. Martin St.) along with Anderson's nearby birthplace (at 1833 Webster St.) and the Union Baptist Church, where the world-renowned contralto grew up singing in the choir.

You generally need to call in advance to if you want a tour, but the Martin Street residence will host an open house on Feb. 27, which is Anderson's birthday. On that day, drop-ins are welcome from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This spring will mark the 70th anniversary of Anderson's triumphant Easter concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial - after being turned away from Constitution Hall because she was black - and there's not a better place than her cozy Philly rowhouse to steep yourself in the history of the remarkable event.

Don't leave without requesting a short piano recital by Burton-Lyles, the first African-American woman to tickle the ivories with the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall. Marian Anderson was a mentor to the then-young pianist, and every note that Burton-Lyles plays (magnificently) pays dignified homage.


Technically part of South Philly, The Marian Anderson Heritage Village, including the two houses and the church, is seven blocks south of Rittenhouse Square proper, between 19th and 20th streets. Call 215-732-9505 to arrange tours.

Visiting The Marian Anderson Museum and Birthplace

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Students from Art Institute of Philadelphia visit residence		spacer
Students from Alice Paul and Leap Academy visit residence
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Keystone Executives Retreat at the Marian Anderson Residence Museum		 spacer
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Philadelphia Sunnyside Questers visit the museum
Click here for additional information on this visit

The Marian Anderson Residence Museum
762 S. Marian Anderson Way

The Marian Anderson Birthplace
1833 Marian Anderson Place
Philadelphia PA 19146 Hours: Tours by Appointment

Adults $10 donation.

For information on tours & special events

(215) 732-9505

Member of:

American Association of Museums

Metropolitan Opera Guild

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Philadelphia Sunnyside Questers

International Visitors Council

National Trust for Historic Preservation

Philadelphia Urban League

United Negro College Fund (UNCF)

PBS

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