Marian Anderson’s dress from historic 1939 concert at Lincoln Memorial donated to Smithsonian

WASHINGTON – For the first time, an orange-and-black ensemble Marian Anderson wore during her historic performance at the Lincoln Memorial 75 years ago is going on display at the Smithsonian Institution.

In 1939, the classical singer was kept out of Washington’s D.A.R. Constitution Hall because she was black. Eleanor Roosevelt then resigned her membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution in protest and invited Anderson to perform at the memorial instead.

The two-piece concert attire is part of a collection recently donated to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture by Ginette DePreist of Scottsdale, Ariz.. DePriest is the widow of Anderson’s nephew.

The outfit was put on display Tuesday in Anderson’s honour. Wednesday marks the 75th anniversary of Anderson’s Easter Sunday performance at the Lincoln Memorial.