Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar in Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

National Negro Opera Company

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, September 11, 2011

1. National Negro Opera Company Marker

Inscription. Here at the Cardwell School of Music, this first national Black opera company was founded in 1941 by Mary Cardwell Dawson. Noted for its musical genius, it performed for 21 years in Pittsburgh, Washington, New York, and other cities.

Erected 1994 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.

Location. 40° 27.825′ N, 79° 53.745′ W. Marker is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It is in Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar. It is on Apple Street 0.1 miles west of Stranahan Street, on the right when traveling west. Located in the Homewood section of Pittsburgh, at the site of former Cardwell Music School. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7101 Apple Street, Pittsburgh PA 15208, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: William "Billy" Strayhorn (approx. 0.3 miles away); Lemington School (approx. 0.4 miles away); Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); In Honor Of Our Country's Purple Heart Recipients

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 0.6 miles away); The Sidney W. Singer Veterans Service Center (approx. 0.6 miles away); Dedicated by the Housing Authority (approx. 0.6 miles away); Church of the Holy Cross (approx. 0.7 miles away); Charles "Teenie" Harris (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pittsburgh.

Regarding National Negro Opera Company. The former school is run down and falling apart, restorations are being attempted, see link below.

Also see . . . National Negro Opera Company. ExplorePAHistory.com (Submitted on September 11, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, September 11, 2011

2. National Negro Opera Company Marker

The former Cardwell Music School is in background

Mary Cardwell Dawson image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Unknown, 1944

3. Mary Cardwell Dawson

Founder of the National Negro Opera Company. Courtesy of the Pittsburgh Historical Society

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,167 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 11, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on October 31, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.