|
The Marian Anderson Studio
In 1943 Marian Anderson and her husband, architect Orpheus Fisher,
purchased a 48-acre farm on Joe's Hill Road in Danbury. Among the
buildings Mr. Fisher built on the property was a studio where his wife
could rehearse undisturbed. Marianna Farm, as their retreat was called,
was her home many years. Although the estate was sold in 1982, she
continued to live there until 1992, the year before she died. During
these 50 years, the city was greatly privileged through her residency
and her support of its music programs.
To commemorate the struggle for freedom of black Americans, the
Connecticut General Assembly authorized that a Freedom Trail be
established in the state. Marian Anderson's estate was selected as one
of the key sites on this trail. A struggle ensued between
preservationists and commercial developers interested in breaking up the
property into lots and building a road where the studio was situated.
This beloved studio might have been demolished had it not been for
the efforts of concerned citizens to solicit support from the local and
state governments to preserve it. Mayor Gene Eriquez, who has staunchly
stood behind this effort, has stated: "To preserve and restore her
studio, a historic building, is important to Danbury and all of
Connecticut, and frankly, to those who cherished all she gave us
throughout America and the world."
The studio has been taken under the protective custody of the Danbury
Museum and Historical Society. In June 2004, the Studio was opened to
the public with a Gala celebration.
[Hamilton, Elizabeth. "Effort to Keep Anderson on the
Trail." Danbury News-Times. 24 March 1996; Hutson, Nanci G. "Anderson's
Studio to be Saved." Danbury News-Times, 22 May 1998.] |
