PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The historic Marian Anderson House and Museum is getting some much needed help, after a broken pipe caused extensive and expensive damage to the historic site.
Marian Anderson was a singer, activist and trailblazer who rose to prominence in the early 20th century, but to many here, she's remembered as Philly's own.
"For me, Marian Anderson was on the forefront of using her platform in the civil rights movement," said Philadelphia Councilman Kenyatta Johnson.
He said that's why he felt the need to allocate $100,000 from the city budget to the house and museum in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood, a structure which flooded last year.
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"We want to make sure that we are able to maintain and preserve this monument, to give our young people an opportunity to learn their history," said Johnson.
Museum CEO Jillian Pirtle said the help from the city comes in their darkest hour.
"This historical landmark, this sacred space should be repaired, restored, preserved and protected," said Pirtle.
She explained that it cost about $200,000 to get the museum back up and running, but in the meantime, they are reaching out to the community via online programming.
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