2024 Fall Speaker Series | Mrs. Fisher: Danbury’s Marian Anderson

Marian Anderson was an American contralto and one of the most celebrated singers of the 20th century. Born on February 27, 1897, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she rose to fame for her powerful and emotive voice, breaking barriers of racial prejudice and becoming an influential figure in the fight for civil rights. This is the Marian Anderson that was known to all the world. But closer to home, on her beloved Marianna Farm (named for Marian and her mother, Anna) in Danbury, CT, she was Mrs. Orpheus Fisher: neighbor, friend, and a civically engaged citizen for nearly 50 years. Danburians ran into her at the First National grocery, Girl Scouts were invited to swim in her pool, and she sang for many local groups even after she had retired.

Join Brigid Guertin, Executive Director at Danbury Museum, to learn about Marian Anderson’s life in Danbury, CT and her extraordinary civil rights legacy. One of her performance gowns will be on display for the talk.

About the Speaker

Brigid Guertin is the Executive Director of the Danbury Museum and the Danbury City Historian, and earned her BA from Marymount College (Major in History, Minor in Women’s Studies) and her MA from The George Washington University in
Museum Studies.

About the 2024 Fall Speaker Series – Finding a Voice

Join the Fairfield Museum and History Center for the 2024 Fall Speaker Series inspired by the new exhibition Building an American Voice. Our nation was built on the idea of freedom. We have been taught to believe in certain ideals, and Americans have fought for their voices to be heard throughout history. Explore moments of advocacy and perseverance that made American history.

Additional Lectures in the Series:

September 22 | The Young are at the Gates: Student Activism for Women’s Rights in Modern America | Kelly Marino, PhD

October 6 | Art, Protest & The Archives | Kevin Repp, PhD

October 20 | Connecticut Witch Trials: From Accusations to Exoneration Efforts | Beth Caruso

Light refreshments provided. Registration is required. $15 per talk | $45 for the series, $40 for Members

Building an American Voice and its related programs are generously sponsored by CT Humanities and M&T Bank.