Construction begins on Marilyn Horne Museum and Exhibit Center

Construction has started on the Marilyn Horne Museum and Exhibit Center in the Seneca Building, which will feature a treasure trove of memorabilia from the long career of the world-renowned opera star and Bradford native.

The museum and exhibit center, which is expected to open in May 2017, will be housed on the first floor of the building and feature rotating exhibits displaying some of the items from Horne's personal archives, which she donated to the University of Pittsburgh. Some of those items include musical compositions and recordings, photographs, costumes and posters. The new center also will include classroom space, a recital area and a café.

“We're extremely delighted that construction has begun on the museum,” said Dr. Livingston Alexander, Pitt-Bradford's president. “The exciting new development will significantly enhance the arts and cultural enrichment opportunities available in this region. Visitors will be able to gain a greater appreciation for the incredible talent of Marilyn Horne and develop a deeper appreciation of opera.”

The architectural firm of McLachlan, Cornelius & Filoni of Pittsburgh is designing the project with a museum consultant to choose the items in Horne's collection that are most suitable for display and to determine how each item should be featured.

The $5.7 million project involves completely renovating the 8,355-square-foot first floor of the Seneca Building as well as upgrading the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. Bradford construction company Carl E. Swanson & Sons Inc. was awarded the construction contract.

During construction, visitors to the building will be able to access the offices on the upper floors, and the elevator will be in operation. Additionally, officials from Pitt-Bradford will provide weekly project updates to the building's occupants.

The museum project was approved March 31 by the Property and Facilities Committee of the University of Pittsburgh's Board of Trustees and was made possible through a 2013 $3 million grant, which Pitt-Bradford received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program through the McKean County Industrial Development Authority. Sen. Joe Scarnati, R-Brockway, and Rep. Marty Causer, R-Turtlepoint, were instrumental in helping Pitt-Bradford secure the grant.

Horne, who is Bradford's most famous native daughter, was born in 1934. Her father, Bentz Horne, encouraged her to pursue her musical dreams. She moved with her family to Long Beach, Calif., when she was 11, and made her debut when she was 20 at the Los Angeles Opera Guild. Following her father's death in 1956, she traveled Europe, performing in many productions and receiving rave reviews.

She sang professionally for more than 40 years, becoming not only a star of the opera world, but also an ambassador to pop culture through appearances on “The Odd Couple,” “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson,” “Carol Burnett and Friends” and “Sesame Street.”