I am following up on my earlier review regarding a private family collection of more than 160 unpublished photographs connected to Marian Anderson and her family.The collection includes 14 photographs of Marian Anderson from childhood through her teenage years, including a beautiful photograph of Marian standing on the family’s porch, holding a bouquet of flowers and wearing a beautiful homemade satin dress. It also includes photographs of Aunt Mary and her nephew James DePreist, three generations of Marian’s maternal ancestors, and Blanche Lyles Burton from childhood through young adulthood, along with several generations of her family.It also includes photographs of church members who helped raise funds for Marian Anderson’s singing lessons, providing a rare visual record of those who supported her early musical education.Three years ago, I shared this discovery with Jillian Patricia Pirtle, the museum’s CEO. At that time, I did not have the opportunity to share the full scope of the collection with her. I was told that the museum had a “complete set” of Marian Anderson’s photographs. I felt then, and still feel, that the extraordinary scope of this collection was not fully understood. I only wish our conversation had been approached with more patience.These are previously private, unpublished family photographs that I believe deserve careful historical and archival examination. I hope the museum will now consider the collection and its potential importance to preserving Marian Anderson’s legacy.Thank you,LV Parr

We had an excellent tour - lots of artifacts from Ms. Anderson’s life in the house as well as biographical accounts from her life. Jill gave us a ton of insights and was wonderful with my kids…. Make sure to call in advance to make a reservation!

I am a amateur vintage photo collector and collecting is my absolute passion. In my collect are several orginal vintage photos of the entire Anderson family from infancy to teenage years of all of the siblings, which includes Marion and their mother and they're all from one private collector. I decided to have a heart filled conversation about Marian Anderson, so I called the Marian Anderson Museum, because I was looking forward to a heartfelt conversation of the love and apprecation for Mrs. Anderson, but as I spoke to the CEO Jillian Patricia Pirtle. I was met with arrogance and rudeness that I've never experienced in my 58 years of being on this earth. I was asked by the CEO to explain to her why I was calling and she added I'm trying to be as clear as I can when I ask you one more time, why are you calling me? I said once again, I just wanted to let the museun know that the photos existed and she said I'm going to ask you again. Why are you calling me? I repeated my answser and she said. I would'nt be exicted unless the photos were in my possession. My collection is one of a kind and the photos are all unpublished, but please let me express I told her that I was not asking her to buy them, after her screaming the she would not buy anything from me. The CEO should speak with respect and kindness whenever she's representing The Marion Anderson Historical Residence and Museum over the phone or in person. In closing the CEO Ms. Jillian Patricia Pirtle said that it was impossible for me to have orginals, because the complete collection is in the musuem, so I must have only copies, but she was mistaken, I own over 35! Thanks for your time and I'm extremely heartbroken and disappointed. LV Parr

Last month we were blessed with a lecture and tour at the Marion Anderson House in Philadelphia. Six adults and three children 6 and under. We adults were able to able leave knowing that everyone had been in a space where she had lived. Talking with the six year old later, I realized that he remembered a lot more than I had given him credit for. He was in awe when he heard live, right here singing. Near the end, his Aunt gave him a camera to take photos and that really got him engaged. Be sure to put the Marion Anderson House in Philadelphia on your to visit/donate list. Call to schedule a tour. Peace and Blessings Sept 2019 I got a telephone update from our 6 year old Grandson about meeting an opera singer at church. He even sang a few notes for me and analyzed his own singing. We agreed that singers must practice just as sports players have to practice. Life lesson learned from a tour. Peace and Blessings

We learned more than we could have imagined about this remarkable American heroin. Born into deep poverty she faced horrific racism to become an international singing sensation and a generous multi millionaire. The home is filled with fascinating memorabilia. Well worth the $10 admission. Call ahead and arrange a tour with the CEO, and ask her to sing you a song in Marian Anderson style. You won't be disappointed. Fitzwater Bagels is around the corner for a delicious lunch.